1999 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 1999 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
- Brakes4416.9%
- Engine3212.3%
- Airbags3212.3%
- Driver assistance259.6%
- Transmission228.5%
- Seat belts197.3%
- Interior & seats135.0%
- Tires & wheels114.2%
- Steering103.8%
- Electrical93.5%
- Body & structure93.5%
- Suspension93.5%
- Fuel system83.1%
- Exterior lighting72.7%
- Powertrain (other)41.5%
- Visibility41.5%
- Heating & air conditioning20.8%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE STARTED MOVING WHEN I PARKED IN A 30 DEGREE INCLINE.
WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH, THE CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE AHEAD. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND IT WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
II WAS PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK AND THE AIR BAGS INFLATED AND TO GAS LIKE SMELL CAME FROM THE BAGS.
IT WAS LATE SUMMER, CLOSE TO EARLY FALL 2017. MY TWO SONS, AGES 17 AND 15, HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE AND WERE GETTING INTO THE 1999 MUSTANG TO COME HOME. (MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, MATTHEW, HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND HAD NO TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS OR VIOLATIONS YET EITHER, NOR DOES HE NOW. HE HAS BEEM A CAREFUL DRIVER.) THEY WERE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, AS THEY HAD JUST EXITED THEIR PARKING SPOT, AND THEN PROCEEDED AHEAD, AND WHILE DRIVING IN VERY SLOW MOTION WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP OR NODE, OR BARELY ANYTHING, IN THE ENUMCLAW HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. THE AIRBAGS BOTH BLEW OUT SUDDENLY, SLIGHTLY INJURING MY 15 YEAR OLD SON'S HAND, AND BLINDING AND PUSHING THEM BOTH BACKWARD IN THEIR SEATS. BOTH OF THEM JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, VERY SCARED. THEY HAD BEEN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, SO WERE ABLE TO STOP SUDDENLY DO THIS AND STILL SAFELY ENOUGH TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT. MANY OF THE FOOTBALL BOYS WERE WATCHING, AS THEY WERE DRIVING RIGHT BY THEM, AND EVERYONE BROKE OUT IN EMOTION. ONE WITNESS CLAIMED THAT IT CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND. THEY DROVE HOME THAT DAY, WITH AIRBAGS OUT, BUT SINCE THEY HAVE QUITE DRIVING THE CAR, AS IT APPEARS TO BE ILLEGAL TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT AIRBAGS. NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND WE ARE LEFT FEELING SHORT OF ONE OF OUR NECESSARY VEHICLES. SINCE THERE WAS NOT ACTUALLY AN ACCIDENT THAT SET OFF THE AIRBAGS, AND THE CAR IS MINIMALLY INSURED, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. NOTE: I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAVING ISSUES WITH WIRING. WIDE SHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DOME LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECREASE IN SPEED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V062001 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A HARD TIME SHIFTING SO I BROUGHT IT IN FOR A CHECK AND AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE FOUND THIS WRONG: INPUT SHAFT RETAINER...I ALSO NEED MY CLUTCH REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS.*AK MY CAR ONLY HAD AROUND 25,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT THIS PART WAS INSTALLED WRONG AND HUMAN ERROR CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY BILL WAS $751.12 AND I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME BASICALLY TOUGH LUCK. THERE IS NO WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO BAD AT 25,000 MILES. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME? I STILL HAVE THE BAD PART AND YOU CAN SEE THE DAMAGE THAT WAS MADE TO THIS PART. THANKS
25,000 MILES ON 1999 FORD MUSTANG 5-SPEED DIFFICULTLY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE - PILOT BUSHING DEFECTIVE - TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE PULLED & REPAIRED - VERY COSTLY 3 YR WARRANTY EXPIRED 4 MOS. AGO . *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION WELL. SOMETIMES, THEY RETRACT VERY SLOW, LOSE AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT EVEN RETRACT. ALSO, SOMETIME THEY GET STUCK. WHEN I BRAKE HARD, THEY STUCK AND TOO TIGHT....ON THE OTHER HAND SOMETIMES THEY ARE VERY LOSE AND DOESN'T STAY TIGHT TO MY CHEST, SAME IS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATOR SEAT BELTS AND ALSO THE REAR SEAT SEAT BELTS. IT BEEN HAPPENING FOR COUPLE OF WEEKS.
MUSTANG REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT STUCK. *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO MISS DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE SPUN AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL FOUR TIMES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ALSO SNAPPED , NOT ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED AT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS TO HEAD, NECK, SHOULDER, HIP, BACK, KNEE, AND ANKLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE AND FELL BACK. *AK *MR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHERE DRIVING HOME WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE TIRE SIDE WALL FAILED AT 50MPH AND THE TIRE DEPARTED THE CARS RIM. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS TRAVELING AT A SAFE SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR ON THE RIM ONLY SAFELY. I CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN IT TO CAR AND TIRE MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS ON OUR FORD MUSTANG SINCE IT IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRE AND CAR. I 'AM EXTREMELY UPSET AT BRIDGESTONE AS THIS TIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND COMPROMISED THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILD. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER WHO DID NOT RECOGNIZE ANY WARRANTY ON THE TIRE, WHICH HAD ONLY 16000 MILES. A NEW TIRE WAS MOUNTED ON THE RIM AND DID NOT PRESENT ANY PROBLEM. THE TIRE BRAND WAS BIG O AND THERE WAS NO DOT NUMBER ON IT. SIZE: 245/45H17.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD TRANSCEIVER MALFUNCTION (BROKEN WIRES). *AK
FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS BACKED INTO, DAMAGE WAS $ 1100.00. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, DRIVER'S SEATBACK FELL BACK.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAVING ISSUES WITH WIRING. WIDE SHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DOME LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS SINCE DRIVEN. CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED GARAGE AND CAR. FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAID THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE SWITCH IN MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT OF DRIVERS DOOR, IS PUSHED IN, DUE TO ICE FORMING INSIDE DOOR, THIS IS SEEN ON ALL THE MUSTANGS THAT /I SEE ..IT IS THE ANNIVERSARY CARS THAT THIS IS SEEN ON, AND I FEEL IT IS A DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY. *AK
I OWN A 1999 FORD MUSTANG AND I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. LAST WINTER , ICE AND SNOW SEEM TO CATCH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. AS A RESULT YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR AND IT HAS PUT A DENT IN THE DOOR. I SEE OTHER MUSTANGS WITH A DENT IN THE SAME PLACE, SO I KNOW THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *NLM
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE ALUMINUM RIM SPLITTING IN HALF, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO TURN ON ITS OWN. THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME DROPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE SEVERELY WHEN DRIVING. INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK THE DEALER COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO LEAKS BUT WAS OUT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, THE REAR SEAL IN THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED, THE HEATER CORE, THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. *JG
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
PRIOR TO RECALL 00V349, VEHICLE CRASHED TWICE, ROLLING OUT OF CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY, AFTER RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED, INCIDENT HAPPENED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. *SLC
VEHICLE WAS RATTLING/SHAKING. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO REPLACED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. ALSO, FUEL SENSOR SWITCH AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED IN DECEMBER, 2000. *AK
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAVING ISSUES WITH WIRING. WIDE SHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DOME LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS LIMITED DUE TO THE FOGGY LIGHT COVERS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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
1999 MUSTANG WITH 58,000 MILES. HAD MULTIPLE PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR AXLE BEARINGS. ALL BEARINGS,CONES, AND CUPS REPLACED.*AK
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. ARRIVED HOME AND JACKED VEHICLE UP, NOTICED DRIVESHAFT BOLTS ATTACHED TO REAR HOUSING WERE ABOUT TO COME OFF. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME.*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
ON JANUARY 3, 2005, THE HEATER CORE ON MY 1999 MUSTANG HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, INCLUDING THE THERMOSTAT. THE WINDOWS HAD FOGGED UP BEFORE AND THE CAR SMELLED LIKE SYRUP BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST VENTS. THE HEATING CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE COOLANT HAD TO BE RECHARGED AND REPLACED ALSO THIS CAME UP TO $700 DOLLARS. ON AUGUST 16 2005, 2 WEEKS AFTER CHANGING THE COOLANT THE WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, ONCE AGAIN THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE FLUSHED THE COST WAS$400. ON JULY 2006 I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND CHANGED, 1 MONTH AFTER THE COOLANT WAS CHANGED THE WINDOWS STARTING FOGGING UP, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE FOGGY WINDOWS, THE HEATING CORE ONCE AGAIN HAS TO BE REPLACED, IS GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $600 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS, I HAVE ALL OF THE PAPERWORK FROM FIRESTONE, I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE SEVERELY WHEN DRIVING. INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK THE DEALER COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO LEAKS BUT WAS OUT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, THE REAR SEAL IN THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED, THE HEATER CORE, THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 FORD MUSTANG A/C STOP WORKING REBUILD COMPRESSION*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A RE-BUILT COMPRESSOR AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER $529.17. ONE YEAR LATER, THE AC STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER RE-BUILT COMPRESSOR, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT CHARGED. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE AC COMPRESSOR FAILED AGAIN AND THEY INSTALLED ANOTHER RE-BUILT AC COMPRESSOR AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $ 454.77. *JB
THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS WHEN I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON WATER STARTED LEAKING ON MY FOOT, THEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP(UNDER FORD WARRANTY AT THE TIME) AND THEY SAID SOME "PLASTIC PART WAS MISSING" A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND AND IT JUMPS FROM DRIVE TO ANOTHER GEAR. THEN I GO THROUGH A CAR WAS AND WATER COMES IN MY CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP "READJUSTED THE TOP" AND STATED EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY. MONTHS LATER I HEAR A TICKING SOUND WHEN ITS IN PARK AND A TICKING SOUND AND " I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE AN EXHAUST LEAK". NEXT IT RAINS AND WATER STARTED COMING IN AGAIN. THE FINAL DRAW WAS 12-21-00 AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED MOVING BACK AND FORTH AND THE LIGHT COMES ON SAYING "LOW FUEL" AND THE CAR ISN'T EMPTY. I CAN'T GET THE DEALERSHIPS HERE TO ANSWER THE PHONE AND FORD WON'T HELP BECAUSE "I DIDN'T BUY THEIR WARRANTY" WHEN IN FACT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO BUY SOME EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE USELESS. *AK
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 .