1988 Ford Mustang Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1988 Ford Mustang recalls

Most common 1988 Ford Mustang problems

Problem areas named in the 108 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	60
Exterior Lighting	18
Seat Belts	10
Fuel System, Gasoline	7
Visibility	5
Engine And Engine Cooling	5
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Steering	4
Power Train	3
Structure	3

What owners report

2021-05-28, Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 1988 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while adding air to the tires, the radiator exploded in the engine. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

2010-04-14, Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING TO A FUNERAL HOME TO PICK UP ASHES 40 MILES FROM HOME WITH TWO CHOW DOGS WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND WAS BURNING. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A RELIABLE REPAIR SHOP. I HAD A USED ONE INSTALLED AS THE FORD DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER DOES NOT GO BACK TO THAT YEAR FOR PARTS. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER I FOUND OUT HOW TO FIND OUT DUE TO A GOOD MORNING AMERICA SHOW. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THIS TIME IN PERSON AND AGAIN COMPUTER COULD NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION.THE PERSON IN CHARGE WAS JOHN LARUE AND HE GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER TO FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND I

2008-09-05, Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OUT OF TRAFFIC, WAITED TWENTY MINUTES, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE A BLOCK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

2008-01-09, Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD MUSTANG. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HORN DO NOT WORK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED THE PARTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

2006-08-26, Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED DURING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 96V071000. FORD PART #F29A-11572-DA. WIRING HARNESS END WAS ALSO REPAIRED DUE TO MELTING DURING OVERHEATING OF TERMINALS. THE SWITCH THAT WAS REPLACED DID NOT MELT OR FAIL INTERNALLY, BUT BECAME SEPARATED. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH AS WELL AS THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND A LIGHT DUTY WHITE METAL THAT ARE CRIMPED ON THE ENDS TO CLOSE THE SWITCH. I FOUND THAT THE OLD SWITCH AS WELL AS THE NEW FAULTY SWITCH, BECAME SEPARATED. THE END CRIMPS SLOWLY BEND OPEN AND THE TOP OF THE SWITCH PUSHES AWAY FROM THE BASE. THIS SEPARATION SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY THE INTERNAL SPRING PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH PLATES P

1988 Ford Mustang questions

Does the 1988 Ford Mustang have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1988 Ford Mustang: Electrical System:Ignition. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Mustang?

Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (60), Exterior Lighting (18), Seat Belts (10).

How do I check if a recall on my 1988 Ford Mustang has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.