MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Mustang

▲ Better than typical
1989 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:57.685Z

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
111
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

44% 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 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 111 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 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 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 111 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 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 111 1990: 87 complaints 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

1989: 111 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

44% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Parked vehicle, turned ignition off and upon return vehicle caught on fire due to ignition wiring failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-21

Ignition switch wiring shorted out, resulting in a fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-02

Electrical fire, caused by a short or ground in the ignition switch.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-05-05

Seat belts

18% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Seat belt does not retract properly. Resulting in driver hitting nose on steering wheel. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-01

Seat belts pull out and latch however the cross body portion does not recede back into frame, only continues to loosen and not retract this happens at any time you ate using the seat belts, happens with front and passenger seat belts, either...

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-09-27

Also filed under Vehicle speed control and exterior lighting

While driving and with no warning consumer hit brakes and driver's side seat belt will not stay in locked position. Dealer notified. *akthe drivers side belt was replaced, but would not work after installation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30

Vehicle speed control

8% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I just filed a complaint 10-15-06, and after going over my accident that involved my 1989 Mustang on 11-05,, I do believe that the wreck could have been related to the fautly equiment that is in my car,, like I said in my first form I tried to have...

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-10-16

Seats

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing recliner.

INJURY

Structure

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1989-06-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-11-28 Underdash fires
  2. I
    1990-03-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-20 Fr seat floor mount fails
  3. I
    1991-10-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-02-27 Hood latch failures
  4. I
    1994-02-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-04-19 Fuel line routing
  5. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Mustang is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Mustang have?
5 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.