Menu

1986 Ford MustangProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Mustang, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

85
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years82% below the Mustang median · #39 of 41 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3012 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Mustang has problems

30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system113
Seat belts62
Engine and engine cooling51
Tires30
Parking brake11
Power train11
Structure10
Visibility10
Engine10
2 other systems21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1986 Ford Mustang recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Mustang year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mustang median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Mustang, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  2. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
  3. SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE89118 · closed Sep 6, 1989
    No recall
  4. FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILSPE90052 · closed Jun 20, 1990
    No recall
  5. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE93011 · closed Jul 19, 1993
    No recall
In owners' words

What Mustang owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and he was able to continue driving in second gear. The vehicle then lost motive power and failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an…
Complaint 11486404 · Sep 26, 2022 · 62,000 miles
THE IGNITION SWITCH( THE ONE'S RECALLED FOR 88-93 MUSTANGS 96V071000 ) IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. MINE HAS BEEN HAPPENING OR MANY YEARS NOW. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP TO INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE CURRENT…
Complaint 10200906 · Aug 27, 2007 · 120,000 miles
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SMELLS A BAD ODOR IN THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH IS STICKING. *AK
Complaint 983632 · Apr 26, 1996

Own a 1986 Mustang?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.