RoadVitals

1965 Ford Mustang

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Dec 26, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 9, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
0 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1965 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the fuel system, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system233.3%
  • Tires & wheels233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19E011000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Feb 9, 2019
598 units potentially affected
The defect: Drake Automotive Group, LLC (Drake) is recalling certain Scott Drake left and right wheel spindles, part numbers C5ZZ-3106-L, C5ZZ-3105-R, C70Z-3106-L, C70Z-3105-R sold for use on 1965-1966 Ford Mustang V8s and 1967-1969 Ford Mustangs (all vehicles with drums). The spindle may fail resulting in the wheel and tire detaching from the vehicle's steering system.
The risk: Spindle failure can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Drake Automotive Group, LLC will notify owners and will replace all of the recalled units, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2019. Owners may contact Drake automotive at 1-800-999-0289.
Drake Automotive Group LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 26, 2016
Crash reportedFire reported1 death reported

1965 FORD MUSTANG STALLED DURING RAINY EVENING AND CAME TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS THEN HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MUSTANG EXPLODED AND INCINERATED THE DRIVER.

NHTSA ID
10937513
Incident
Dec 13, 1975
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 10, 2003

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE OWNER HEARD A BIG "BANG" NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. A MICHELIN REGAL SPORT TIRE BLEWOUT WITH OUT ANY REASON. *AK THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. (TIRE MODEL/REGAL SPORT CHALLENGER) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10022583
Incident
May 31, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 5, 2000

TIRE ONLY HAD 5-6000 MILES USE, ENTIRE TRED AREA DETACHED AS DONUT WRAPPED AROUND AXLE AND DAMAGED FENDER .*AK (TIRESIZE: P185/75SR1)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/75SR1 )

NHTSA ID
733514
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Jul 16, 1998

OWNER CONCERNED THAT FUEL TANK WILL RUPTURE IN A REAR END COLLISION AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

NHTSA ID
538398

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Mustang by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026530—
2025145057.1
20247311058.9
2023156062.7
2022499060.2
2021556059.4
20201178170.4
20191426056.1
20181864056.4
20172646163.4
20163715158.4
201543611363.5
20143594054.6
20132716052.2
20124697154.0
20114665153.0
20102606052.5
20091816055.6
20083478462.7
20076159462.7
20064229358.8
20057059358.2
20041166364.9
20031456368.0
20021186161.3
20011738162.6
20003119163.8
199921310163.9
199823614265.3
199717611261.3
199624612361.8
199560216466.0
199435613464.3
19931017168.6
1992695372.1
1991776269.6
1990855372.8
19891095472.0
19881085573.3
1987385673.3
1986302568.0
1985163470.8
1984184467.0
1983513—
1982114—
1981024—
1980422—
1979072—
1978350—
1977030—
1976230—
1975001—
1974010—
1973010—
1972010—
1971010—
1970020—
1969340—
1968120—
1967250—
1966410—
1965Viewing410—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.