10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 1
Average Mileage:
5,740 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Ford Mustang:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #16

Apr 302014

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 78,840 miles
I was braking at a red light behind a Toyota prius. When I had almost completely stopped, my car lurched forward, with my foot still on the brake. I lifted my foot from the brake for an instant, then slammed the brake pedal down, stopping my car just a couple inches from slamming into the car in front of me.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #15

Jun 182008

Mustang

  • miles
The contact owned a 1998 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph and without warning, the engine started to rev and the rpms increased drastically as the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact had to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle and turned off the engine. While doing so, the contact had to drive wedging the tire against the curb in order for the vehicle to lose speed. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where they diagnosed that the cruise control cable was frayed and coming apart. The vehicle was repaired with a new cable. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 135,000.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #14

May 162008

Mustang

  • miles
TL-the driver owned a 1998 Ford Mustang. While driving at speeds unknown, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle began to smoke and liquid splashed onto the vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle. The driver ended up on the other side of traffic and crashed into a van. The vehicle was destroyed. The drivers and passengers were injured in the crash. A police report was filed. The failure and current miles were not available. The VIN was not available.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #13

Nov 062007

Mustang 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
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.

- Edmonton, 00, USA

problem #12

Nov 282002

Mustang

  • miles
Failure to idle resulted in loss of power steering and power brakes, no reserve on power brakes.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #11

Oct 272002

(reported on)

Mustang

  • miles
No summary.

- Palmersvile, TN, USA

problem #10

Jun 192001

Mustang

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 28 mph vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer applied brakes, but did not slow down vehicle. Consumer then applied emergency brake, this also did not slow down vehicle. Vehicle went through an intersection/ went about 6 blocks/hit curb on right side of road/crossed road to avoid a oncoming vehicle, and hit a dump truck. Vehicle had accelerated to a speed of 45 mph. A police witness estimated speed to be higher. Consumer was severely injured. Construction worker near dump truck was also severly injured. Both in critical condition at this time. Airbag deployed. Vehicle impounded by police to investigate. Information provided by philip C. johnson, attorney.

- Kirkwood, NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 152001

Mustang

  • miles
While having cruise control on and trying to slow down cruise control would not disengage. Consumer was was travling at about 70 mph before trying to turn cruise control off. Contacted dealer, and dealer will try to fix problem.

- Point Mugu, CA, USA

problem #8

Jan 202000

Mustang

  • miles
While driving with cruise control engaged and coming up on traffic, consumer had to step on the brakes to get cruise control to release. Consumer felt this was unsafe.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #7

Dec 261999

Mustang

  • miles
While waiting for the garage door to open all of a sudden back wheels started to skid, car took off right through the garage. Consumer feels this was a very serious incident.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #6

Jun 011999

Mustang

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on two occasions, one incident resulted in vehilce running into ditch when acceleration experienced with rear wheel lock up. Mjs

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #5

Jul 071999

Mustang

  • miles
After recall repair completed (99V-062) engine idle speed was too fast. Mjs

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #4

Jun 011999

Mustang

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rear end of vehicle locked-up, causing sudden acceleration, resulting in loss of control. Vehicle started to spin and would not stop until it slid into a ditch off the road.

- Austintown, OH, USA

problem #3

Mar 011999

Mustang

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle recall repair (99V-062) can not be completed due to lack of parts.

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 011998

Mustang

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Cruise control failed.

- Dana Point, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 151998

Mustang

  • miles
While driving into the garage, the vehicle acclerated in a fast speed, causing the vehicle to crash into the wall. Consumer put the vehicle in reverse the vehicle went at a high speed in reverse. The consumer had to turn off the vehicle in order to stop the vehicle.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA