1990 Ford Mustang Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1990 Ford Mustang most often describe electrical problems, especially fires under the hood and ignition switch or ignition module faults. Many reports describe sudden events, such as a fire that started after the car was parked, while others describe intermittent faults, such as accessories that work only after the key is moved. Only a few complaints list mileage, and those cite between 90,000 and 130,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Fires and melted wiring under the hood

   • 38 complaints (45%)
   • typically at 7.2 yrs old
   • 29 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe fires or smoke from the engine compartment, sometimes after the car was parked or shut off, and some report the vehicle was totaled. Some complaints point to the alternator, the wiring harness or the ignition switch as the area where heat, burning or melting was found. According to complaints, the dealer found a burned switch and melted wiring in some cases, and in others the owner was unsure whether a recall repair had been done. Mileage is not listed in these complaints, and the fires are described as starting after the car was parked or shut off, though some occurred while driving.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall (96V071000) was completed, and look for melted wiring, burn marks or a recently replaced alternator under the hood. Ask for records of any alternator or wiring repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After parking in the garage I turned off the ignition, the key burned my hand it was so hot! Then multiple electrical problems appeared. The turn signals no longer functioned, the car would stall at low speeds, the air conditioner would not come on, convertible top would not function. The ignition recall had already been preformed on my car prior to these problems. The Ford dealership found the switch burned, and the wiring assembly melted.”

   NHTSA complaint #751751, filed 2001-09

   “While my car was in for investigation (see oid#75644 for throttle assembly failure) the dealer replaced ignition switch module from recall that had never been done by previous owner. Subsequently, while driving the battery light came on and car lost power. Smoke rose from under the hood. I rolled into a parking lot and opened the hood where I found the wiring harness to the alternator in flames. I unplugged it and put out the fire. The fire flared up 2 more times before dying out.”

   NHTSA complaint #756912, filed 2002-01
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and ignition module problems

   • 21 complaints (25%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 21.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2012

   Owners describe the starter continuing to crank after the key is removed, accessories such as turn signals and wipers not working at startup, and engine stalling when slowing. Some complaints say the ignition switch or ignition module was replaced, and some describe replacement parts failing again. Some complaints also describe a switch found burned and wiring found melted. Where mileage is given, it is 130,000 miles, and the symptoms are described at startup or as the key is turned.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall (96V071000) was completed and whether the switch or ignition module was replaced, and ask for the paperwork. During a test drive, check that the starter, turn signals and wipers respond normally when the key is turned.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 96v071000; consumer put key in the ignition and turned it halfway, and vehicle started smoking. Consumer unhooked the battery cable and it continued to smoke and caught on fire. Vehicle was used & recall notice was issued 2 years ago according to the manufacturer . Serviced at foster Ford in kansas.”

   NHTSA complaint #859625, filed 2000-04

   “The vehicle was parked and a fire started in the ignition switch and the car went up in flames. Consumer states vehicle was parked had just been driven a few hours prior and a neighbor noticed smoke coming out of the windshield and the entire dash was melted and the exterior.”

   NHTSA complaint #984045, filed 1996-05
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags deploying unexpectedly or not deploying

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 7.0 yrs old
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Some owners describe airbags that deployed while driving with no collision, or that deployed in a crash without inflating. Other owners say the airbags did not deploy in a crash, and an airbag that burst is described as injuring the owner. Some complaints state the dealer had not been contacted, and others say the dealer was aware of the problem. Mileage is not listed in these complaints, and the incidents are described while driving, with some at about 30 mph.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and goes off normally, and ask whether the airbag system was inspected after any earlier collision or deployment. Ask for any service records that mention airbag repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer was traveling about 30mph on a freeway exit, as she was slowing down for the exit, vehicle shutdown without prior warning. Lost control and it went straight into a tree. Frontal airbags didn't deploy. Dealership was aware of the situation. Driver sustained injuries.”

   NHTSA complaint #873931, filed 2000-10

   “Dt: the contact owns a 1990 Ford Mustang. The contact states that the motor caught on fire and melted the wiring under the hood. The air bag deployed without an accident. The cruise control does not work on the vehicle. Picutres are available if needed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10122329, filed 2005-05
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Headlights switching off; power windows and locks

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 109,500 mi at 18.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2013

   Owners describe headlights that turned off without warning, including at night and while on the highway. Complaints point to a headlight or multifunction switch, or to wiring that may be undersized for the electrical load. Other owners describe power windows that would not roll down or worked slowly, and power door locks that did not lock both sides reliably. Only the window complaints in this group list mileage, at 90,000 and 129,000 miles, and the headlight reports describe lights turning off while driving, sometimes at night.

   What to check: During a test drive, check the headlights, high beams, fog lights and power windows and locks, and try the lights at night if possible. Ask whether the headlight switch or its wiring has been repaired, and look for melted or discolored plastic around the switch.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a Ford Mustang 1990. The electronical system has gone down the toliet. Both the electronical front windows and the automatic locks barely work. Both the front windows work but as they are rolling up they squeak like no other. The locking mechanisms on the driver and passenger side have a mind of there own and rarely lock or just lock one side. I have tried to fix this all in vain. Sucks to have electronical locks and windows in a 1990 Ford Mustang. Thanks- rumit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045553, filed 2003-11, 90,000 miles

   “Consumer was driving down highway and headlights went out with no prior warning, and would not come back on. Headlight switch continued to melt, which sort out wiring. Dash got extremely hot. Also, multifunction switch caused headlights to go out. Contacted dealer, and waiting for reply.”

   NHTSA complaint #890819, filed 2001-06

Buying note. Buyers considering a 1990 Mustang may want to ask whether the ignition switch recall (96V071000) was completed and look for heat damage under the hood. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the ignition, airbag warning light, headlights and power windows addresses the main areas in the complaints above.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 43 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.