1991 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (35% 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 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford mustang. The contact stated that the independent mechanic notified him that the ignition switch had caught on fire, after the vehicle was parked and repairs were completed to the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic had replaced the fuel pump, fuel injector, air flow, and roller rockers prior to the fire. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished by the mechanic using a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained, the police or fire department were not called. The dealer or the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,500.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2020
“The airbags could deploy at an inappropriate time or not at all due to this problem the air bag blinks all the time and the manufacturer has no answers so I am red flagging this problem thank you”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke and then fire from the dash board. The contact called the fire department and personally extinguished the fire. The fire department stated the fire was started due to an electrical component. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the fire was caused by a defective ecm. The contact called manufacturer after noticing a NHTSA campaign I.d. Number 96v071000 (electrical system). The manufacturer stated the parts for the remedy would not be available until six months. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had parked my car in my driveway, I put my parking brake on because my driveway is on a slope. I went to use the car again I removed the parking brake and that's when my brakes locked up. Since then I had to leave my car in the garage. *tr”Owner report · Parking Brake · Aug 2008
“While vehicle was parked and unattended, the air bag in steering wheel activated. This is the first occurance. No injuries,. Replacement has not occured. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2008
“Had smoke coming out from under dash. Lost radio, and tail lights wires from light switch to tail light melted. Not sure if from faulty ignition switch. Would like more info. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2006
“Dt: the contact stated there was a recall NHTSA campaign 96v071000 concerning the ignition. However the recall repairs did not correct the problem. The vehicle has same problems again. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired according to the recall at the contact's expense. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2006
“The transmission has gone out three times in this car. The first time it had 20000 miles on it and under warranty and the dealer sent it to a local transmission shop who rebuilt it. One year later it went out again. The dealer would not cover ford would not cover. I got stuck replacing the transmission out of pocket. Now the transmission went again. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2005
“I have 1991 ford mustang with a NHTSA recall number 91v048000. Ford is telling me that thiere is no such recall in there data base and they will not fix it. This is a big safty issue for me considering my wife and kids ride in this car. I need to know if this is a valid recall and if ford is not responsible to repair it, then who?*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2003
“Consumer states that the vehicle was in a head on accident at 35mph. Consumer states that the drivers side air bag did not deploy. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
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 1991 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 1991 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Mustang. The most complained-about area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Ford Mustang problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 119,500 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Ford Mustang have open recalls?
6 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.