1999 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 222 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (13% 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 222 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have having issues with wiring. Wide shield wipers don't work, multiple head lights are out and dome light stays on sometimes”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2018
“My seat belts do not function well. Sometimes, they retract very slow, lose and sometimes they do not even retract. Also, sometime they get stuck. When I brake hard, they stuck and too tight....on the other hand sometimes they are very lose and doesn't stay tight to my chest, same is the case with the navigator seat belts and also the rear seat seat belts. It been happening for couple of weeks.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle failed to decrease in speed when the cruise control was deactivated. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact shut the engine off while driving in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99v062001 (vehicle speed control). The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang gt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, she smelled a strong odor of antifreeze. The contact pulled over and noticed a crack in the plastic manifold and coolant leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, who stated that the manifold would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there was not a recall related to the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang. The contact stated the vehicle had a cracked manifold and it was leaking antifreeze. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that the manifold needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and offered no assistance. The manufacturer informed him that there were no recalls or warranties and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang. The contact stated that after making a left turn the vehicle suddenly accelerated to higher speeds. When he tried to apply the brakes, the vehicle continued to accelerate and he crashed into an embankment. A police report was filed. The contact was injured due to him immediately ejecting from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and a diagnostic test was pending an investigation. The failure and current miles were approximately 134,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang. The contact noticed that the front driver and passenger seat belts would not retract similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 99v250000 (seat belts:front:anchorage). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised to have the entire mechanism for both sides replaced. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileages were 92,658 and the failure mileages were unknown.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2010
“Car had been parked in garage for about 8 hours since driven. Car caught fire and destroyed garage and car. Fire investigator said the fire was caused by brake switch in master cylinder. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“Spark plug blow out. There was really nothing that led up to this that I know of. Apparently this is something that happens a lot to ford vehicles (I have a 99 mustang v8). Ford recommended a new head ($2000). An alternative was to retape the head ($800). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008
“My wife and granddaughter where driving home when the front right side tire side wall failed at 50mph and the tire departed the cars rim. Luckily my wife was able to maintain control of the car and was traveling at a safe speed and was able to stop the car on the rim only safely. I check tire pressure and maintain it to car and tire manufactures specifications on our ford mustang since it is a high performance tire and car. I 'am extremely upset at bridgestone as this tire should not have failed and compromised the safety of my wife and grandchild. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 51 of these complaints and injuries in 22 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.
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.
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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.
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 1999 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA has 222 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford Mustang. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Mustang problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford Mustang have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.