1992 Ford Mustang Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Ford Mustang, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3035.3%
- Airbags89.4%
- Engine89.4%
- Brakes78.2%
- Steering67.1%
- Transmission55.9%
- Visibility44.7%
- Powertrain (other)33.5%
- Fuel system33.5%
- Body & structure33.5%
- Interior & seats22.4%
- Exterior lighting22.4%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Tires & wheels11.2%
- Driver assistance11.2%
- Other / unspecified11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE THAT WAS HEARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE STALLING SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A CONNECTOR WIRE AND A FUSE LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE IGNITION AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE TO THE FUSE LINK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,726.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #96V071000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
1992 FORD MUSTANG LX. CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO TURN. I COULD DO IT BUT IF MY DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING PERHAPS NOT. SAME FAILURE DISABLED CRUISE (NO BIG DEAL) BUT ALSO HORN AND DRIVER AIRBAG. WERE I AT HIGHWAY SPEED, PASSING, CHANGING LANE, ETC., MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE FAILED PART BOTH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AND DISABLED THE ACCIDENT SURVIVAL FEATURES OF THE CAR. *NM
WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. MECHANIC REFUSED TO LOOK OR REPAIR AIR BAG LIGHT. WAS INFORMED POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL INTAKE SCREEN CLOGS UP WITH SILICONE. OIL CANNOT FLOW THROUGH PUMP, CAUSING ENGINE TO BURN OUT.*AK
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, AND HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS PARKED. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. CAR ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY ,ACROSS STREET AND INTO DITCH.*AK
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD. *CB
POWER STEERING LEAKS FLUID.ALSO BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH FAILED 3 TIMES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT 29000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE ETC., ON WARM DAYS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BUILD UP HEAT AND FLUID PRACTICALLY EXPLODES FROM THE TRANSMISSION DOUSING THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR AND EXHAUST. I AM AWARE OF THE EXACT SAME SITUATION HAPPENING ON ANOTHER FORD MUSTANG WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED FORD WHICH DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY TENDENCY IN THIS TRANSMISSION FOR A SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. FORD WANTS ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHILE I BELIEVE THEY MUST BE AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING LEAKS FLUID.ALSO BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH FAILED 3 TIMES.
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
AXLE SEPARATION AT BRAKE DRUM. RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. TT *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WERE FIRE FLAME SPOTS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES WITH THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, CRUISE CONTROL, KEYLESS ENTRY AUTO TRUCK RELEASE, AND RADIO. *TT
VEHICLE HAS A GAS LEAK DUE TO RUSTED GAS TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD. *CB
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, HEADLAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD. *CB
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, NOTICE FLAME COMING OUT OF THE SPEEDOMETER AREA. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER IN ACCIDENT. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 SEPERATE TIMES MY SUMITOMO SRIX0N4 225/55HR 16 TIRES, WITH LESS THEN 2500 MILES ON THEM, THE SIDEWALLS COMPLETLY BLEW AFTER TREADWEAR WAS PUNCTURED BY ROAD HAZARD. COMPLETE COLLASP/DISINTEGRATION OF TIRES ON RIM. EXTREME HAZARD (TOTAL TIRE FAILURE) AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 55MPH. REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .