Complaints
297
Crashes
52
Fires
12
Injuries
41
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Ford Mustang Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
#215 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:78,840 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
#310 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:100,204 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Mustang.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 17 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 15 | 4 | 1 | 78,840 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 | — | — | 100,204 mi | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 10 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 8 | — | — | 72,445 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 7 | 4 | — | 105,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 7 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 | 1 | — | 82,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 124,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,840
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,204
Parking Brake:Conventional
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,445
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,000
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,000
Suspension:Rear
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Mustang. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Mustang Years
1998 Ford Mustang — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Mustang reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Ford Mustang has 297 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Mustang?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (17 complaints); Unintended Acceleration (15 complaints, avg 78,840 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (10 complaints, avg 100,204 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Ford Mustang?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 91,109 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Ford Mustang include 52 crash-related reports, 12 fire reports, 41 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Ford Mustang as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Ford Mustang?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Mustang reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Ford Mustang
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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