1989 Ford MUSTANG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
121,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 64 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 20.3% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 11; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System:Wiring: 4; Seats: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 60 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 20; 2000: 13; 2001: 4; 2002: 7; 2003: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2014: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10229082 · 2008-05-28 (May 28, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD MUSTANG. WHENEVER THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT MUST REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND RETRY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN THE STARTER AND RELAY WERE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480926 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731895 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
THE CAR AT ANY SPEED WILL JUST SUDDENLY DIE ... USUALLY ITS WHEN IT IS REALLY WARM OUTSIDE......IVE RECENTLY READ A REPORT ABOUT DISTRIBUTER -MOUNTED TFI MODULES AND I BELEIVE ( SINCE MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM ) THAT THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. ITS VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING 55MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE !!! I HOPE YOU WILL RECONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734391 · 2000-10-15 (October 15, 2000)
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SURGES AND CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PROBLEM MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873981 · 2000-10-27 (October 27, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361416 · 2020-09-27 (September 27, 2020)
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 STOPPED. DRIVING, BREAKING OR EXCELLING. ITS ALL THE TIME . MY BEST GUESS IS THAT THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM IS OLD AND WORE OUT. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS 131,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE MOTOR. NO IDEA WHY THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING …
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 555175 · 2000-09-25 (September 25, 2000)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE SURGING HAD DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH REQUIRED REPAIR ALSO. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 555175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732079 · 2000-09-20 (September 20, 2000)
FUEL PUMP SAFETY SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE ON ITS OWN & CAR WOULDN'T START UNLESS YOU HIT THE SWITCH. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND SO HAS BATTERY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732079 at NHTSA ↗