1998 Ford MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
90,025 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10074598 · 2004-06-01 (June 1, 2004)
1. I WAS DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO FRESNO, ON I-5. ABOUT 70 MPH. I STRETCHED, AND LEANED BACK INTO THE SEAT, WHEN THE SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS FAR ENOUGH TO CAUSE ME TO LOOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY ENOUGH TO RAISE MYSELF QUICKLY AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK 2. A METAL BRACKET THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR TRACK BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF RIGIDITY OF THE SEAT. 3. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART, OR GET IT WELDED, IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN.
Owner-reported narrative. 155,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129373 · 2005-08-05 (August 5, 2005)
DT: WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 20-25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED CAR. THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS NOTED THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE SHAFT WHICH BROKE AND THEREFORE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. IT WAS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,920 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160961 · 2006-06-28 (June 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6/20/06 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. IT WAS RAINING AND THE RATE OF SPEED WAS 30MPH. NO INJURIES INCURRED BUT MINOR DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS REPORTED IN THE POLICE REPORT.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208208 · 2007-11-07 (November 7, 2007)
I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK AND WAS JUST STARTING TO BRAKE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY CRESCENT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY. I DROVE UP ONTO THE CURB AND TOOK OUT TWO SECTIONS OF FENCE AND TURNED MY WHEEL HARD TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR, THE ACCELERATION FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I CRANKED THE WHEEL, NO EFFECT WHEN I WAS BRAKING AT ALL! I HAVE INJURED MUSCLES IN MY NECK AND BACK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10272667 · 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)
WE TOOK OUR 1998 6 CYLINDER MUSTANG IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT HAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS LEAKING FUEL AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WE NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1000 TO REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL, BOTH VALVE GASKETS, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS. PLUS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON LABOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CAR/ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE, IF WE DO NOT REPLACE THESE PARTS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER WHO IS IN COLLEGE'S CAR. HOW CAN THEY HAVE SUCH A HORRIBLE DESIGN AND IF WE REPLACE THE PARTS IS THIS GOING TO BE REPEAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272667 at NHTSA ↗