FORD MUSTANG · model year

1998 FORD MUSTANG

297 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998FORDMUSTANG carries 297 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 52 crashes, 12 fires, 41 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1998 MUSTANG is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 17 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (15) and parking brake:conventional (10). 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 1998 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.

297
Complaints
52
Crashes
12
Fires
41
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

297 filings

Crashes Reported

52 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
PARKING BRAKE7
AIR BAGS7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR7
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
TIRES6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5

Recent Complaints

20210522SERVICE BRAKES

Rear right parking brake does not engage and when trying to come to an emergency stop brake is ineffective

20200206CrashAIR BAGS

STIRRING-WHEEL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON GETTING HIT HEAD-BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY BUT DUE TO THE DEFECT STIRRING WHEEL AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD

Mileage: 99,000

20191003SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT. WORK , CANNOT PULL OUT TO USE IT... THE REPAIR SHOP IS HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING. A RETRACTOR. MECHANISM....MY FAMILY CANNOT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. RIGHT NOW

Mileage: 16,146

20171023CrashAIR BAGS

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NEITHER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

Mileage: 147,000

20160511CrashAIR BAGS

ON MAY 5, 2016, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 395 (NEVADA). DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DUE TO RAIN/HAIL. I FELT MY CAR BEGIN TO HYDROPLANE, AND THEN BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS THE HWY. AT LEAST 5 COMPLETE CIRCLES UNTIL I SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE WALL WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVERS SEAT BOLTS BROKE UPON IMPACT AS WELL. NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED, BUT I SUFFERED MULTIPLE BRUISES ON MY RT. ARM, AS WELL AS SEVERE WHIPLASH AND INTERNAL BRUISING FROM SEAT BREAKING FREE UPON IMPACT. MY BACK/SPINE ARE IN SERIOUS PAIN DUE TO BEING KNOCKED OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN THE SEAT BROKE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AS I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE, HOWEVER I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT CASE NUMBER FROM THE NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL: # 160500374 DATE: 05/05/2016 TIME: 9:56 AM

Mileage: 124,000

20160511CrashSEATS

ON MAY 5, 2016, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 395 (NEVADA). DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DUE TO RAIN/HAIL. I FELT MY CAR BEGIN TO HYDROPLANE, AND THEN BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS THE HWY. AT LEAST 5 COMPLETE CIRCLES UNTIL I SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE WALL WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVERS SEAT BOLTS BROKE UPON IMPACT AS WELL. NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED, BUT I SUFFERED MULTIPLE BRUISES ON MY RT. ARM, AS WELL AS SEVERE WHIPLASH AND INTERNAL BRUISING FROM SEAT BREAKING FREE UPON IMPACT. MY BACK/SPINE ARE IN SERIOUS PAIN DUE TO BEING KNOCKED OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN THE SEAT BROKE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AS I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE, HOWEVER I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT CASE NUMBER FROM THE NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL: # 160500374 DATE: 05/05/2016 TIME: 9:56 AM

Mileage: 124,000

20150528ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20150528ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20150528SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20140916FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL FILLER NECK GROMMET IS LEAKING. ACCORDING TO FORD, IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT...IT CAUSES A GASOLINE LEAK IF I TRY TO FILL IT OVER ABOUT 3/8 TANK, AND THROWS GAS OUT, WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN. *TR THIS IS A FIRE/EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THESE WITH GROMMETS THAT DO NOT BREAK DOWN.

Mileage: 274,067

20140506VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE FOR AN INSTANT, THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN, STOPPING MY CAR JUST A COUPLE INCHES FROM SLAMMING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Mileage: 78,840

20140506SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE FOR AN INSTANT, THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN, STOPPING MY CAR JUST A COUPLE INCHES FROM SLAMMING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Mileage: 78,840

20120313VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD MUSTANG . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND THE RPMS INCREASED DRASTICALLY AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHILE DOING SO, THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WEDGING THE TIRE AGAINST THE CURB IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS FRAYED AND COMING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW CABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

20110419CHILD SEAT

WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE CAR SEAT OR THE CAR MODEL BUT WHEN I INSTALL THE BASE OF THE CAR SEAT ON THE CAR I TIGHTEN IT AS MUCH AS I CAN AND THE CAR SEAT SNAPS FIRM ON IT BUT THE BASE IS NOT FIRM ON THE CAR AND ONE TIME THE WHOLE THING FLIPPED OVER WHEN I MADE A SLOW TURN. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=MUSTANG). *TR

20101002ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE THERMOSTAT. THIS WAS REPORTED AS TSB 97M91. *TR

Mileage: 118,695

20100412CrashFireFatalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL-THE DRIVER OWNED A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNKNOWN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LIQUID SPLASHED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. AA

20100120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1998. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME WHEN HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND ALSO INCLUDED THAT IN THE POLICE/FIRE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF THERE WERE ANY OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20090902FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR IS HARD TO START OR LONG START CYCLE, FUEL PUMP CHECK VALVE LEAKING REQUIRING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090825FireENGINE 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 MARSHAL

20090522STEERING

THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN STEERING STABILITY. EVERYTHING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE RACK AND PINION SHOW NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. I'VE HAD THE PS LINES REPLACED AS WELL AS THE PS PUMP, BECAUSE IF THE LACK OF STABILITY AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. PS FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED AND BLED. AND THE PUMP IS STILL VERY LOUD (IT WAS ALWAYS LOUD, THE NEW PUMP IS THE SAME WAY. BUT THAT'S MORE ANNOYING THAN A SAFELY CONCERN). I'LL BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. CAR HAS NEW TIRES AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED RECENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

Compare 1998FORDMUSTANG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 FORD MUSTANG have?
The 1998 FORD MUSTANG has 297 NHTSA complaints, 52 crashes, 12 fires, 41 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 FORD MUSTANG?
The most-complained component for the 1998 FORD MUSTANG is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL.
Is the 1998 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.