1986 Ford Mustang Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 37%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1986 Ford Mustang, 37% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The ignition switch( the one's recalled for 88-93 mustangs 96v071000 ) is failing intermittently, the engine will turn off without notice. Mine has been happening or many years now. The problem is getting worse, a couple of times a day. Someone please help to include this vehicle in the current recall(96v071000) after all it is the same part. Thanks a lot.”
NHTSA complaint #10200906, filed 2007-08, 120,000 miles“The contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and he was able to continue driving in second gear. The vehicle then lost motive power and failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to an electrical failure, the spark plugs, distributor cap, ignition wires, and the ignition control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #11486404, filed 2022-09, 62,000 miles“I read in my local newspaper that you are still trying to force Ford to recall these vehicles. On your website I found numerous service bulletins including NHTSA item numbers: 85891, 88320, 88321, 95709, 95716, 97188, sb006577, sb007982, sb024868. This has been going on for 15 years. Could you give me an estimate when something might happen to have Ford own up to their poor engineering. As emissions are also effected in addition to driver safety when this problem happens in the middle of the freeway, I am very concerned. …”
NHTSA complaint #731626, filed 2000-09Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2025 | 5 | 26% |
| 2024 | 40 | 48% |
| 2023 | 5 | 33% |
| 2022 | 7 | 14% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 26 | 21% |
| 2019 | 32 | 21% |
| 2018 | 31 | 16% |
| 2017 | 34 | 13% |
| 2016 | 73 | 19% |
| 2015 | 68 | 15% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 7% |
| 2012 | 21 | 4% |
| 2011 | 24 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% |
| 2007 | 33 | 5% |
| 2006 | 31 | 7% |
| 2005 | 225 | 32% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 9 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 5% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 37 | 6% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 31 | 31% |
| 1992 | 29 | 42% |
| 1991 | 31 | 40% |
| 1990 | 35 | 41% |
| 1989 | 46 | 42% |
| 1988 | 56 | 52% |
| 1987 | 17 | 45% |
| 1986 | 11 | 37% |
| 1985 | 3 | 19% |
| 1984 | 9 | 50% |
| 1983 | 3 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1986 Ford Mustang
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsTires
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology