1998 Ford Mustang GT Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a plastic intake manifold that cracks and leaks coolant or antifreeze. Some leaks lead to overheating, lost coolant, or a car that cannot be driven, and many owners report that a recall or warranty did not cover the replacement. Where mileage is given, most reports fall between 60,000 and 110,000 miles, and some describe a slow leak that became severe.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Plastic intake manifold cracking and coolant leaks

   • 39 complaints (74%)
   • median 84,782 mi at 7.1 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners describe the plastic intake manifold cracking, often near the thermostat housing or the coolant crossover, with coolant or antifreeze leaking onto the engine. Some describe a slow leak that became severe, and others describe a sudden leak with no warning. Many complaints say the replacement is a metal or aluminum part placed where the original plastic cracked. Where mileage is given, most reports fall between 60,000 and 110,000 miles, with the lowest at 36,000 and the highest at 138,000.

   What to check: Ask whether the plastic intake manifold has already been replaced with a metal or aluminum part, and check for coolant residue near the thermostat housing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cracked composite intake manifold coolant crossover resulting in coolant leak. Manifold being replaced with new aluminum manifold. I subsequently became aware of settlement in chamberlan v. Ford. I never received notification of settlement and my vehicle was past the 7 year limit at the time of the settlement. I feel that Ford should extend coverage.”

   NHTSA complaint #10173031, filed 2006-11, 61,250 miles

   “Ford recall plastic intake manifolds.I have purchased a 1998 mustang from a non Ford dealer there is a definite leaking intake on this motor,I have contacted a Ford dealer in my area they said the recall time has expired.the place of purchase and my self new of no recall untill I started looking on the internet,and started to keep adding antifreeze to the system,you can see the leaking intake,”

   NHTSA complaint #10170853, filed 2006-10, 82,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Owners report no recall or warranty coverage

   • 28 complaints (53%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners describe asking the dealer or manufacturer about a recall or warranty repair and being told the model year or vehicle identification number was not included. Some say they paid for the replacement themselves, and others describe a settlement they were not notified about or that excluded their vehicle. According to complaints, some dealers said the vehicle was not their responsibility, and the manufacturer was reported to say there was nothing it could do. Often described for vehicles outside a recall or warranty window, and where mileage is given these reports range from 36,000 to 109,430 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle identification number has been checked against any intake manifold recall, and whether the metal or aluminum replacement part has already been fitted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1998 Ford Mustang Gt with a 4.6 liter engine suffered a cracked intake manifold which was replaced costing approximately $600,00, has cracked once again. I have contacted numerous Ford dealerships about the problem, to which they replied it is not their problem. I feel that something that has been recalled on other similar vehicles should also be recalled and replaced with a working part on mine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093272, filed 2004-09, 109,430 miles

   “I own a 1998 Ford mustang gtast year I noticed a cooling leakage which I first thought coming from one of the hoses. It turned out that the upper intake manifold cracked.hen I purchased a new upper intake manifold from a Ford dealership, I noticed that they changed the design, enforcing the cracked part of the intake with aluminum. I was wondering if there is a design flaw, and they changed their design; am I entitled for any kind of compensation? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10025957, filed 2003-07, 42,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Overheating or breakdowns after coolant loss

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 91,700 mi at 7.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2012

   Owners describe the engine overheating while driving, sometimes at highway speed, after coolant levels dropped or coolant sprayed out. Others describe a car that died on a freeway, was left stranded after coolant was lost, or became inoperable and had to be towed. Some complaints note a check engine light or a gradual drop in coolant before the failure, while others describe a loss with no warning. Where mileage is given, these reports are between 66,000 and 138,000 miles, and some describe highway driving.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and cooling system when the engine is cold, and ask whether any overheating or coolant-loss repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hello, my Ford mustang overheated and developed a crack in the air intake manifold which resulted in engine coolant leak and it had to be replaced. I read that a recall on this part that was called by Ford because the same exact engine on the crown victoria gives the same problems and a recall is in effect on it. Why would they not have a recall on all engines if it is ecactly the same? I would honestly appreciate an answer if it can be provided. Best regards. Munazzar tapal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098520, filed 2004-11, 91,700 miles

   “Coolant was leaking slowly for about eight months, then began to leak a lot the end of december, so the car was undriveable because of risk of overheating, and had to be towed to dealer. It was discovered that the leak resulted from a crack in the plastic intake manifold where the thermostat sits. The dealer replaced the manifold with a new manifold that is metal where the crack occurred (an indication of Ford's awareness of the problem). The cost to replace the intake manifold was $1,070 and I have kept my old manifold. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10107728, filed 2005-01, 70,475 miles

Buying note. The intake manifold is the central check for this model year, so ask whether it has already been replaced with a metal or aluminum part and look for coolant residue at the thermostat housing. Because several owners describe paying for the replacement themselves, ask the seller for repair records and check with a dealer whether any recall or warranty applies to the vehicle's VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.