1990 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 85 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The windows won't roll down and I've spent a whole day and around $100 trying to fix it. All I want is working windows, can I get some manual doors? *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford mustang. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the turn signals and air conditioner would not function. The contact was able to correct the failure by slightly turning back the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2011
“Dt: the contact owns a 1990 ford mustang. The contact states that the motor caught on fire and melted the wiring under the hood. The air bag deployed without an accident. The cruise control does not work on the vehicle. Picutres are available if needed.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a ford mustang 1990. The electronical system has gone down the toliet. Both the electronical front windows and the automatic locks barely work. Both the front windows work but as they are rolling up they squeak like no other. The locking mechanisms on the driver and passenger side have a mind of there own and rarely lock or just lock one side. I have tried to fix this all in vain. Sucks to have electronical locks and windows in a 1990 ford mustang. Thanks- rumit. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2003
“Consumer states that when at a stop and without warning the engine caught on fire under the hood causing the consumer to pull over and the vehicle to be non drivable. Dealer notified. Ts”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2002
“While my car was in for investigation (see oid#75644 for throttle assembly failure) the dealer replaced ignition switch module from recall that had never been done by previous owner. Subsequently, while driving the battery light came on and car lost power. Smoke rose from under the hood. I rolled into a parking lot and opened the hood where I found the wiring harness to the alternator in flames. I unplugged it and put out the fire. The fire flared up 2 more times before dying out.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2002
“Rear axle is slightly off on both sides by a 15 degree angle, causing loss of vehicle control. Please give any further details.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2001
“Consumer was involved in a front end collision at 30 mph with a wooden fence that resulted in air bag deploying, but no air was in the bags. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide further details. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2001
“After parking in the garage I turned off the ignition, the key burned my hand it was so hot! Then multiple electrical problems appeared. The turn signals no longer functioned, the car would stall at low speeds, the air conditioner would not come on, convertible top would not function. The ignition recall had already been preformed on my car prior to these problems. The ford dealership found the switch burned, and the wiring assembly melted.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2001
“I parked car and went in house. 20 minutes later car was engulfed in flames. Fire marshall said ignition switch was to blame after investigation.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mustang by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA has 85 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford Mustang. The most complained-about area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford Mustang problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 129,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford Mustang have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.