1990 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 12%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1990 Ford Mustang, 12% of the 85 complaints for this model year. 7 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.
“There are 54,000 miles on the car. I bought the car end of november when there were only 49,000 miles on it. The paint is peeling very badly on the front bumper. I inquired about a repaint and it was going to be well over $5,800. I had to put 3 transmissions in the car (in about end of february, again in about 3 weeks another one had to be put in) I only paid about $1,100.00 for the transmission and the others were covered by the mechanics warranty. The transmission that was in there was fried when they sold it to me. A rim had to be replaced because it was bent which costed $45.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071359, filed 2004-01“Consumer states that when at a stop and without warning the engine caught on fire under the hood causing the consumer to pull over and the vehicle to be non drivable. Dealer notified. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8022026, filed 2002-10“Alternator failed five times, once resulting in a fire. In addition, under dash electrical wires shorted out, resulting in a fire. Also replaced fuel pump/ 2 cooling fans and throttle.”
NHTSA complaint #518809, filed 1997-09Engine 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 1990 Ford Mustang
35 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 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