1998 Ford Mustang

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Ford Mustang
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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, 1998 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: 109 complaints 1990: 85 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 69 complaints 1992 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 356 complaints 1995: 602 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 143 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 422 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 260 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 356 complaints 2015: 434 complaints 2016: 367 complaints 2016 2017: 260 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2019: 141 complaints 2020: 113 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 48 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 70 complaints 2025: 12 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1998: 236 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989109
199085
199177
199269
1993101
1994356
1995602
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003143
2004116
2005705
2006422
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010260
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014356
2015434
2016367
2017260
2018184
2019141
2020113
202155
202248
202315
202470
202512
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021105

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
PARKING BRAKE 4%

4% of complaints: parking brake — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 3%

3% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19971027 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARINGS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THOSE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. THE DATE CODES FOR W

Campaign 97V165000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971215 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L ENGINES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAS MISSING OR INADEQUATE BRAZE JOINTS BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL BODY AND THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTING BRACKET(S).

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ON THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 97V216000 — check if this car was fixed

1998 — complaint volume: 236
R 19990327 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CA

Campaign 99V062001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990503 — PE (closed 19990727)

FIRES IN THE CENTER CONSOLE

R 20001128 — parking brake

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

Campaign 00V349000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060502 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND

Remedy: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Campaign 06E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for parking brake issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V165000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V216000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V349000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) 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

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2007 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Ford Mustang reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Mustang is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Mustang?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 6% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Mustang have?

14 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.