MYRModel Year Report

1986 Ford Mustang

▲ Better than typical
1986 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:31.476Z

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
30
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 30 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: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 30 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2019 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 30 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1988 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2014 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2018 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2024 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 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
2015439
2016379
2017268
2018196
2019152
2020122
202155
202250
202315
202485
202520
20268

Known problem areas

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

Electrical system

37% · 11 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-06-20

The vehicle was parked and it started smoking from the ignition switch and then caught on fire.please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-28

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, 2022-09-26

Also filed under Engine

Seat belts

20% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

INJURY

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 5 reports

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, 2002-09-23

Tires

10% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Visibility

3% · 1 report

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, 2003-08-03

Also filed under Structure

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1989-07-28 Seatback failure
  2. I
    1987-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-21 Stalling
  3. R
    1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1989-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-06 Speed control malfunction
  5. I
    1990-03-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-20 Fr seat floor mount fails
  6. I
    1993-03-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-07-19 Cruise control malfunction
  7. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.