no report yet
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
1996 Ford MustangProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 246 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Mustang, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 22, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Ford Mustang has problems
246 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
82Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
34Service brakes, hydraulic5 crash/fire/injury
25Power train1 crash/fire/injury
22Suspension
21Air bags11 crash/fire/injury
16Fuel system, gasoline
12Seat belts
12Steering
11Electrical system
6114 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 82 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 34 | 5 |
| Power train | 25 | 1 |
| Suspension | 22 | 0 |
| Air bags | 21 | 11 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 16 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 12 | 2 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 61 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1996 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
Parking brake: conventional
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
no report yet
Body: hood
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.
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
1996 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
21300000203040151816303810810985776910135660224617623621331117311814511670542461534718126146647027135944038126919715412255511585208
'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
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Ford Mustang safety ratings
1996 Ford Mustang Convertible in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Ford Mustang, and the recalls they led to.
- OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENTLed to recall 97V-180
- OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENTNo recall
- FRONT BRAKE HOSENo recall
In owners' words
What Mustang owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 4, 2010, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, THE ANTIFREEZE SPILLED AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE…
CONSUMER 1996 FORD MUSTANG INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *TS THE CONSUMER FELT THAT FORD SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF REPAIR PLUS THE MONIES SPENT ON BORROWING VEHICLES TO GET TO WORK. *SC
96 MUSTANG OVERHEATING DUE TO CRACKED INTAKE. DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNLESS I PAY. THERE WAS ONCE A RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER AWARE OF. I NEED MY CAR FIXED.
Own a 1996 Mustang?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.