1986 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 17%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1986 Ford Mustang, 17% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 1 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 contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that his vehicle was recalled. He tried to have the vehicle repaired for three years. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle since it would take two hours to repair it. The manufacturer advised the contact that the dealerships are independently owned and the contact should drive the vehicle to japan for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 48,000. The current mileage was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10315799, filed 2010-03, 48,000 miles“Started driving vehicle up a hill and it wouldn't move forward. Consumer stated that they had to coast the vehicle backwards. Consumer then noticed smoke. Raised the hood and then noticed that flames were coming out of the gear shaft. Consumer put the flames out and has contacted the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #814638, filed 1997-07“Engine stalls when in idle mode when stopping vehicle or upon starting. Engine will normally shake and then cut off; it will restart but may repeat the shut off again.”
NHTSA complaint #744838, filed 2001-05Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 7% |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 27% |
| 2002 | 22 | 19% |
| 2001 | 24 | 14% |
| 2000 | 34 | 11% |
| 1999 | 31 | 15% |
| 1998 | 40 | 17% |
| 1997 | 38 | 22% |
| 1996 | 82 | 33% |
| 1995 | 339 | 56% |
| 1994 | 160 | 45% |
| 1993 | 11 | 11% |
| 1992 | 7 | 10% |
| 1991 | 6 | 8% |
| 1990 | 10 | 12% |
| 1989 | 6 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 5 | 13% |
| 1986 | 5 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 4 | 22% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1986 Ford Mustang
11 complaintsSeat belts
6 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 28, 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