FORD MUSTANG · model year

1986 FORD MUSTANG

32 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1986FORDMUSTANG carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 MUSTANG is electrical system:ignition with 6 filings, followed by seat belts:front:buckle assembly (4) and electrical system:ignition:switch (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1986 MUSTANG, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

32
Complaints
3
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

32 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
TIRES2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
PARKING BRAKE1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recent Complaints

20220926ENGINE

The contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and he was able to continue driving in second gear. The vehicle then lost motive power and failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to an electrical failure, the spark plugs, distributor cap, ignition wires, and the ignition control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing belt, the gears, and the distributor needed to be replaced. The timing belt and gears were repaired. The contact stated that there was no replacement distributor available so the distributor wa

Mileage: 62,000

20220926ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL

The contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and he was able to continue driving in second gear. The vehicle then lost motive power and failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to an electrical failure, the spark plugs, distributor cap, ignition wires, and the ignition control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing belt, the gears, and the distributor needed to be replaced. The timing belt and gears were repaired. The contact stated that there was no replacement distributor available so the distributor wa

Mileage: 62,000

20100409ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR EMISSION TESTING, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS DUE TO DEFECTIVE CO2 SENSORS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR THE REPAIRS YET THE DEALER ADVISED THE CATALYST SYSTEM WAS BRAND NEW AND WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR EMISSION TESTING ONE YEAR LATER AND AGAIN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ALTERED THE CATALYST SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR UNSPECIFIED REASONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 68,000

20100302ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. HE TRIED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WOULD TAKE TWO HOURS TO REPAIR IT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALERSHIPS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO JAPAN FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 48,000

20080601TIRES

PURCHASED TIRES 04/2006 FOR COLLECTIBLE CAR THAT SEES LOW MILEAGE. CAR STARTED WITH A SLIGHT VIBRATION ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO GET WORST WITH TIME. ROTATED ALL FOUR TIRES TO INSPECT AND FOUND ONE SUSPECT TIRE WITH A FOUR INCH WIDE BULGE THAT STARTED AT THE CENTER OF THE TIRE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE TREAD. NO DEFORMITIES WERE FOUND WITH THE SIDEWALLS AND NO DAMAGE FOUND TO THE TREAD OR CARCASS. SUSPECT BELT FAILURE. TIRE REMOVED FROM SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 72,105

20070827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION SWITCH( THE ONE'S RECALLED FOR 88-93 MUSTANGS 96V071000 ) IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. MINE HAS BEEN HAPPENING OR MANY YEARS NOW. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP TO INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE CURRENT RECALL(96V071000) AFTER ALL IT IS THE SAME PART. THANKS A LOT. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

20070807TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD MUSTANG. THE VEHICLE HAS TBC SIGMA SHADOW TIRES, SIZE P225/75R15. ON AUGUST 7, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE MUD FLAP AND BACK CORNER PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, FUEL SYSTEM, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 280,000.

Mileage: 280,000

20040809TIRES

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. RIGHT REAR TIRE STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND WENT FLAT. TIRE SHREDDED BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER. LOOKED AT TIRE AND DIDN'T SEE ANY NAILS, ETC IN TIRE TO CAUSE DEFLATION. TOOK TIRE BACK TO PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A PRO-RATED REPLACEMENT. I DID KEEP TIRE IN CASE NHTSA WANTS IT. TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE EAGER, SIZE 22560HR15.

Mileage: 303,915

20030803VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

2 ISSUES (DATE AND INFO IS FOR THE FIRST DESCRIBED)HEATER CORE STARTED TO LEAK AND STEAM POURED OUR OF HEATER VENTS. VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE SUCH A SMALL PART, 8 HOURS OF WORK BY A PROFESSIONAL AND 300 DOLLARS. HAD ABOUT 150,000 MILES AT THE TIME. ISSUE 2: CAR WAS TOTALED IN A WRECK IN EARLY FEB 2003 WITH 162,000 MILES. CAR FISH TALLED ON ICE AT 35 MPH. HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A POLE 3 FEET HIGH WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE 380 SPIN EXTREMLY QUICK DUE TO THE CURRENT FISH TAILING. MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS A SCRATCH. SPIN WAS SO FAST THAT THE GLASSES I WAS WEARING FLEW OFF INTO THE BACK SEAT. THIS IS MORE OF A COMPLIMENT THAN A COMPLAIN DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HANDLES VERY WELL IN SUCH A COLLISON. MODEL WAS AN LX CONVERTIBLE. CONVERTIBLE ROOF TORE 3 WAYS DURING CRASH. PICTURES AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.*AK

Mileage: 150,000

20030803STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

2 ISSUES (DATE AND INFO IS FOR THE FIRST DESCRIBED)HEATER CORE STARTED TO LEAK AND STEAM POURED OUR OF HEATER VENTS. VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE SUCH A SMALL PART, 8 HOURS OF WORK BY A PROFESSIONAL AND 300 DOLLARS. HAD ABOUT 150,000 MILES AT THE TIME. ISSUE 2: CAR WAS TOTALED IN A WRECK IN EARLY FEB 2003 WITH 162,000 MILES. CAR FISH TALLED ON ICE AT 35 MPH. HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A POLE 3 FEET HIGH WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE 380 SPIN EXTREMLY QUICK DUE TO THE CURRENT FISH TAILING. MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS A SCRATCH. SPIN WAS SO FAST THAT THE GLASSES I WAS WEARING FLEW OFF INTO THE BACK SEAT. THIS IS MORE OF A COMPLIMENT THAN A COMPLAIN DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HANDLES VERY WELL IN SUCH A COLLISON. MODEL WAS AN LX CONVERTIBLE. CONVERTIBLE ROOF TORE 3 WAYS DURING CRASH. PICTURES AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.*AK

Mileage: 150,000

20020923ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE JUST DIES, ALL POWER GONE, WON'T COMPRESSION START, BUT WILL RESTART WITH CLUTCH IN.

20010820ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION MODULE MOUNTED ON DITRIBUTOR, $148.00 REPLACMENT COST. *AK

20010507ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE STALLS WHEN IN IDLE MODE WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE OR UPON STARTING. ENGINE WILL NORMALLY SHAKE AND THEN CUT OFF; IT WILL RESTART BUT MAY REPEAT THE SHUT OFF AGAIN. *AK

20010108EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

REPORTING A FADE/DISCOLORATION OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS, WHICH CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES OTHER MID 1980 VEHICLES AND OTHER LATER VEHICLES HAVE CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS AS WELL WHEN PLASTIC IS USED. *SLC

20010108CrashPARKING BRAKE

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND TRIED TO REACH THE FOOT BRAKE, HOWEVER COULD NOT REACH IT, CONSUMER TRIED TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE, BUT IT ROLLED INTO A MAILBOX CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO TRAP CONSUMER UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO BACK VEHICLE UP. *SLC

20001120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC

20000922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I READ IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER THAT YOU ARE STILL TRYING TO FORCE FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. ON YOUR WEBSITE I FOUND NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS INCLUDING NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: 85891, 88320, 88321, 95709, 95716, 97188, SB006577, SB007982, SB024868. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 15 YEARS. COULD YOU GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE WHEN SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN TO HAVE FORD OWN UP TO THEIR POOR ENGINEERING. AS EMISSIONS ARE ALSO EFFECTED IN ADDITION TO DRIVER SAFETY WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, I AM VERY CONCERNED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 DOLLARS AND COUNTLESS HOURS TRYING TO CURE SOMETHING THAT I DID NOT REALIZE AT THE TIME WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THANKS FOR PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. IT IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE PUBLIC.

19991211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

19990608SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN NECK AND BACK PAIN. MJS

19990120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE QUIT, AND LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK *ML

Compare 1986FORDMUSTANG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1986 FORD MUSTANG have?
The 1986 FORD MUSTANG has 32 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 FORD MUSTANG?
The most-complained component for the 1986 FORD MUSTANG is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH.
Is the 1986 FORD MUSTANG safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.