MYRModel Year Report

1986 Ford Mustang

▲ Better than typical
1986 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:14.914Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Mustang Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1986 highlighted. 1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 436 complaints 2016: 375 complaints 2016 2017: 265 complaints 2018: 191 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 119 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 49 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1986: 30 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015436
2016375
2017265
2018191
2019148
2020119
202155
202249
202315
202476
202516
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 37%

37% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND IT WENT UP IN FLAMES DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960620

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960528

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220926

Also filed under ENGINE

SEAT BELTS 20%

20% of complaints: seat belts — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20020923

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

VISIBILITY 3%

3% of complaints: visibility — 1 distinct report on file, most commonly citing heater core.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030803

Also filed under STRUCTURE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19860326 — EA (closed 19890728)

SEATBACK FAILURE

I 19870501 — PE (closed 19880121)

STALLING

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890419 — PE (closed 19890906)

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

I 19900307 — PE (closed 19900620)

FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILS

I 19930303 — PE (closed 19930719)

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

R 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2007 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1986 Ford Mustang reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Ford Mustang is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Ford Mustang?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Mustang have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.