1990 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
- 87
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1990
Opened by NHTSA
46% of complaints
Complaints per year
1990: 87 complaints
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 | 111 |
| 1990 | 87 |
| 1991 | 78 |
| 1992 | 70 |
| 1993 | 102 |
| 1994 | 368 |
| 1995 | 603 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 145 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 423 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 261 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2016 | 379 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 122 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
46% · 40 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
Notice a fire in engine compartment, due to defect in alternator. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-02
Ignition switch shorted out, resulting in fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-01-12
The windows won't roll down and I've spent a whole day and around $100 trying to fix it. All I want is working windows, can I get some manual doors?
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-30
Also filed under Visibility
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer states that when at a stop and without warning the engine caught on fire under the hood causing the consumer to pull over and the vehicle to be non drivable. Dealer notified.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-31
Air bags
10% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Air bag exploded injuring the consumer. *ph the air bag exploded in the consumers face and injured her badly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-05
Air bag did not deploy upon hitting a median wall. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-24
Vehicle speed control
9% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer going 50 m.p.h., accelerated to change lanes, car was rearended, spun out of control and impacted center divider at 9:00 position.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-03
Exterior lighting
9% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing switch and headlights.
Show complaint excerpts
Headlights function erratically.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-06-04
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1991-06-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-26 Throttle sticks, high idle
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I
1991-10-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-02-27 Hood latch failures
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I
1994-02-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-04-19 Fuel line routing
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R
1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1990 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 40 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 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
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1990 Ford Mustang reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Ford Mustang is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Mustang?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1990 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.