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U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Ford MUSTANG problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues312.0%
Braking behavior14.0%

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.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
Electrical System:Ignition
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch5
Electrical System:Ignition3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood2
Exterior Lighting2
Exterior Lighting:Headlights2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator1
Electrical System:Wiring1

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 22 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.

1995
6
1996
6
2000
5
2001
1
2002
3
2003
1
2004
1
2010
1
2020
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
19966
20005
20011
20023
20031
20041
20101
20201

1995: 6; 1996: 6; 2000: 5; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2010: 1; 2020: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 858272 · 2000-03-10 (March 10, 2000)

WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT TWICE BECAUSE OF THE CAR CUTTING OFF. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858272 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 961879 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)

SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING UNDER HOOD CAUSED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961879 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 966569 · 1995-06-09 (June 9, 1995)

WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGED TO 3000 RPM'S WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE JUMPED 15 FEET FORWARD AND HIT A BRICK WALL.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966569 at NHTSA ↗