1984 Ford Mustang Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 34,250miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1984 Ford Mustang (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1984 Ford Mustang. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and steering (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,250 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system9 50%
- Engine cooling4 22%
- Steering3 17%
- Equipment2 11%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Interior lighting1 5.6%
- Other or unknown1 5.6%
- Tires1 5.6%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Vehicle has faulty ignition switch due to wiring being corroded. This caused electrical system to interact, performing poorly. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #8017302, filed 2002-08Engine cooling: “Vehicle stalls while driving.owner received no indication that vehicle was going to stall. When the vehicle would warm up it, would stall. The dealer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #816791, filed 1997-10Steering: “The contact owns a 1984 Ford Mustang. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment and they stated that the rack and pinion needed to be repaired. The contact purchased the rack and pinion assembly and made the repair. After the repair, the steering wheel had a lot of movement. The contact did not know the name of the manufacturer of the rack and pinion. The failure mileage was 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10233139, filed 2008-07, 68,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 68,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1984 Ford Mustang version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Mustang | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 21 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 20 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V063000Apr 29, 1992Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Ford Mustang 1984–1985, Mercury Capri 1984–1985
The plastic sleeve in the front safety belt tongue assembly which retains the lock bar can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to sunlight and become displaced, causing the tongue to detach from the safety belt webbing.
- 84V119000Oct 2, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor systemCovers: Ford Mustang 1984, E-150 1984, Bronco 1984 +10 more
The secondary throttle shaft may, with accumulated mileage, become contaminated and may stick in a partially open position while driving.
- 83V134000Dec 20, 1983Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Ford Mustang 1984, Mercury Marquis 1984, Ford Escort 1984 +15 more
The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly…
Recall details for the 1984 Ford Mustang → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91003Safety belt tongue breaksClosed · Oct 29, 1990
- PE88096Seat belt latch assemblyClosed · Aug 23, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1984 Ford Mustang.
Other model years of the Ford Mustang
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 2,500 | 5 | 5 | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 20 | 14,000 | 6 | 5 | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 85 | 5,000 | 12 | 5 | 18 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 15 | 14,000 | 6 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 50 | 10,102 | 9 | 5 | 22 | 15 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 55 | 5,465 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 18 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 122 | 24,000 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 152 | 20,000 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 196 | 28,795 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 268 | 40,000 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 41 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 380 | 35,300 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 58 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 439 | 34,500 | 11 | 5 | 22 | 73 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 359 | 24,000 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 271 | 40,000 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 52 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 469 | 23,000 | 6 | 4 | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 466 | 22,018 | 4 | — | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 261 | 43,086 | 5 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 181 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 18 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 347 | 37,250 | 5 | — | 18 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 615 | 36,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 424 | 54,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 705 | 49,500 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 116 | 13,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 145 | 13,958 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 118 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 173 | 56,847 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 311 | 64,306 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 213 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 236 | 88,900 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 176 | 100,110 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 246 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 602 | 79,828 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 356 | 78,490 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 101 | 82,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 69 | 116,863 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 77 | 119,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 85 | 129,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 109 | 121,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 108 | 72,313 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1987 | 38 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1986 | 30 | 96,052 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1985 | 16 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 18 | 34,250 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Mustang model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1984 Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1984 Ford Mustang as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1984 Ford Mustang is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1984 Ford Mustang been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1984 Ford Mustang get?
The EPA rates the 1984 Ford Mustang (Mustang, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1984 Ford Mustang reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,250 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 68,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.