48 of the
297 complaints about the 1998 Ford Mustang are about the
engine — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
107,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WIRES AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #10721986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,695 milesDIX Hills, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE THERMOSTAT. THIS WAS REPORTED AS TSB 97M91.
NHTSA complaint #10358884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blackwood, NJFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 FORD MUSTANG WITH A 1998 USED ENGINE INSTALLED INTO IT. I ONLY HAD 1 REAL PROBLEM WITH IT AND IT WAS MY EXHAUST. I HAD THAT FIXED AND RAN GREAT FOR THE NEXT DAY. LESS THEN 36 HRS AFTER THE EXHAUST WAS FIXED AND AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 15 HRS OR SO, WHICH WAS FROM AROUND 9:45 PM FRIDAY THE 21ST TO AROUND 12:30 TO 1:00 PM ON THE 22ND OF AUGUST. A NEIGHBOR CAME POUNDING ON OUR DOOR TELLING US OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE!!!! HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO START IT FROM A DISTANCE. WELL WE DON'T HAVE A REMOTE STARTER FOR THIS CAR, IT ONLY UNLOCKS THE CAR AND TRUNK, DOES NOT START IT. WE BELIEVE IT WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AS I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INS. AND NOW I HAVE LOST MY CAR AND HAVE NOTHING...... I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR JUST MELTING AWAY, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF IT. I LOVED THIS CAR, I WASN'T EVEN FINISHED PAYING FOR IT. I STILL OWE $1395 ON IT AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS. FIRE MARSHALL IS STILL INVESTIGATING IT. I BELIEVE HE SAID IT POSSIBLY STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THERE WAS A BOX ABOVE THE TIRE AREA WITH WIRES IN IT. WHAT WERE THESE WIRES, WHAT WERE THEY FOR AS I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING MATCHING THAT DESCRIPTION ON A 1998 ENGINE IMAGE...??? THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY REAL PROBLEM WE HAD, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE, SELLER DID FIX BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN ABOUT 1 WEEK AND WAS ON UNTIL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10281739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBelen, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED HEAVILY FROM THE VEHICLE. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE HEARD, AND THE HOOD RAISED SLIGHTLY AS IF IT WAS NOT SHUT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT AGAIN. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10166842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT: 1998 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONSUMER STATES THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE ENGINE COOLANT WOULD RUN OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CONSUMER CALLED FORD. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, IF THE SETTLEMENT GOES THROUGH IT WILL BE APPEALED. THEREFORE, FORD WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10134205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakdale, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WAS TOLD FAULTY HEAD GASKET. LOSING COOLANT WITH NO VISABLE LEAKS. ESTIMATED $1200.00 REPAIR AT LEAST. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FORD 3.8 C.I. ENGINE WHY HAVE THERE BEEN NO RECALLS FOR THE MUSTANG UNLIKE THE TAURIS? (SAME ENGINE)
NHTSA complaint #10124190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,122 milesBirmingham, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10117852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBIG Pine, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10105318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesColumbus, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING, THEN STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED BY VIN OR UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PART NUMBER F8A2-9424-BC, NOTIFICATION #97M91 FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS RECALLED. MECHANIC INSISTED THAT RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10090056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,900 milesOzark, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH STARTED TO SMELL ANTI-FREEZE. WHEN I CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FOUND THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PLASTIC, INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AN WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY WANTED $580 FOR A NEW MANIFOLD PLUS LABOR TO PUT IT ON. I FEEL THAT IF A MANUFACTURE PUTS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD ON ON OF THIER VEHICLES IT SHOUD LAST FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED, I THINK THIS IS POOR ENGINERING, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE DEALER, SINCE FORD HAS REPLACE ALL POLICE VEHICLE INTAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10086925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DRIVER NOTICED WHILE CHECKING THE FLUIDS, THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10040712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CACrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE ACCELERATED FOUR TIMES AT A HIGH RPM FROM AN IDLE POSITION WHILE THE MOTOTR WAS ENGAGED. DT
NHTSA complaint #769568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THERE IS A CRACKED ENGINE MANIFOLD, AND WATER IS BEING DUMPED OUT OUT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT THE VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH.
NHTSA complaint #8008589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED AND HAS RESULTED IN WATER LEAKING FROM MANIFOLD. CONSUMER HAS MADE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8003548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowland Heights, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FORD MOTOR CO. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS TO BE A PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR THEIR CONSUMERS AT THIS TIME, WHEN THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES (EXPLORER). NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #756578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR CONTINUALLY OVERHEATED, BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER AND NEVER COMPLETELY FIXED. THEN IT COMPLETELY BLEW THE ENGINE DUE TO THE HEAD GASKETS FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #753884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Luis Obispo, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE STALLING PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (IN NEUTRAL GEAR). THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALSO LOSE POWER, CAUSING ME TO DO WHATEVER NOT TO CRASH. I KNOW OF OTHER MUSTANGS NOTICING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #745758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crittenden, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALESHIP, NO PROBLEM FOUND, NEW MUFFLER PUT ON, HOWEVER NOISE STILL CONTINUED, VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WRONGG MUFFLER WAS PUT ON VEHICLE. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Helen, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RAW FUEL SMELL ENTERING CAB RANDEMLY WHEN OVER 85 DEGREES. PLEASE HELP DOING LEMON LAW. VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE. WIFE AND CHILD GOT VERY SICK.
NHTSA complaint #737560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE SHOES DUE TO DEFECTIVE CALIPER. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO WATER PUMP BREAKING OFF BRACKET, AND CAUSING A SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK CONSUMER HAD WATER PUMP CASING AND BILLS ON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #876481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE SHOES DUE TO DEFECTIVE CALIPER. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO WATER PUMP BREAKING OFF BRACKET, AND CAUSING A SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK CONSUMER HAD WATER PUMP CASING AND BILLS ON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #876481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE SHOES DUE TO DEFECTIVE CALIPER. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO WATER PUMP BREAKING OFF BRACKET, AND CAUSING A SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK CONSUMER HAD WATER PUMP CASING AND BILLS ON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #876481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE KNOCKS UNDER LOAD. KNOCK DISAPPEARS AT IDLE AND LOW LOAD. DEALER IS REPLACED ENGINE...ENGINE WAS NOT DISMANTLED TO DETERMINE ACTUAL CAUSE. REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED ALSO BLEW LAST WEEK (9/1/2000) AND THE DEALER IS ORDERING A SECOND REPLACEMENT. I HAD TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE FIRST REPLACEMENT AND MAY HAVE TO PAY SOME TYPE OF DEDUCTIBLE WITH THIS SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT. LOOKING FOR REPEATED INCIDENTS WITH THE COBRA 4.6 ENGINE. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE DEALER HAS BEEN MORE THAN HELPFUL IN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINES BEING DELIVERED APPEAR TO BE REMANUFACTURED ENGINES.
NHTSA complaint #730290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE KNOCKS UNDER LOAD. KNOCK DISAPPEARS AT IDLE AND LOW LOAD. DEALER IS REPLACED ENGINE...ENGINE WAS NOT DISMANTLED TO DETERMINE ACTUAL CAUSE. REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED ALSO BLEW LAST WEEK (9/1/2000) AND THE DEALER IS ORDERING A SECOND REPLACEMENT. I HAD TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE FIRST REPLACEMENT AND MAY HAVE TO PAY SOME TYPE OF DEDUCTIBLE WITH THIS SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT. LOOKING FOR REPEATED INCIDENTS WITH THE COBRA 4.6 ENGINE. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE DEALER HAS BEEN MORE THAN HELPFUL IN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINES BEING DELIVERED APPEAR TO BE REMANUFACTURED ENGINES.
NHTSA complaint #730290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lee's Summit, MOCrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 25 MPH DRIVER PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN IN THE CURVE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. ENGINE QUIT, DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING OR BRAKES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED STRIKING TWO VEHICLES. 2 CARS DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED, 3RD CAR BEING EVALUATED FOR LOSS. OUTDOOR TEMPS WERE NOTED TO BE IN HIGH NINETY'S TO LOW 100'S. CAUSE OF ENGINE SHUT DOWN UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, BUT POSSIBLE VAPOR LOCK PROBLEM MAY HAVE EXISTED.
NHTSA complaint #729700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dade City, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE AT BRANDON FORD FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY ARE VERY RUDE AND SHORT AND I FEEL LIKE I WASTED $17000.
NHTSA complaint #728007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE CONSUMER IS TRAVELING 40 MPH OR LESS WITH THE CLUTCH IN OR OUT IN NEUTRAL THE VEHICLE STALLS, DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THIS SITUATION AND NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO BE OF ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #720370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THIS SITUATION AND NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO BE OF ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #720370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.