1989 Ford Mustang
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1990 | 85 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 101 |
| 1994 | 356 |
| 1995 | 602 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 143 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 422 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 260 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 434 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
13% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: seat belts — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. RESULTING IN DRIVER HITTING NOSE ON STEERING WHEEL. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950301
12% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
PARKED VEHICLE, TURNED IGNITION OFF AND UPON RETURN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO IGNITION WIRING FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950621
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET A DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140515
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20061016
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, 20200927
6% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950302
SAFETY TIMELINE
UNDERDASH FIRES
FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILS
HOOD LATCH FAILURES
FUEL LINE ROUTING
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WITH
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.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1989 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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:ignition:switch, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Mustang have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.