1996 Ford Mustang Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 246 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 vehicle speed control of the 1996 Ford Mustang, 4% of the 246 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Was driving vehicle & felt transmission slipping. Had returned to dealer who refused to repair it. Later had cruise control on & vehicle suddenly accelerated. Applied brakes shut it off, but did not stop it. Turned vehicle off & restarted it. Vehicle has no air bags. Vehicle had a 1998 front repair done, but no accident had happened.”
NHTSA complaint #850789, filed 1999-10“While sitting in traffic without prior warning the vehicle began to move forward and tap the car in front, as a result the dual air bag falsely deployed and broke the window. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8007850, filed 2002-04“Car accelerates suddenly without warning at stop or at 0-5 MPH(throttle goes wide open)in forward or reverse. Must shut off ignition switch to stop car, brakes will not stop car. Problem corrected by dealer under warranty first time. Replaced purge air valve. Four years later problem is reoccuring again. Believe purge air valve has failed again. Original servicing dealer is out of business. Wondering if this problem is widespread in Mustang line since it has a potential to loose control of car,damage property or loss of a life.”
NHTSA complaint #743388, filed 2001-04“Driving vehicle 60 MPH w/cruise control on; applied brakes to slow down; cruise control would not disengage; tried different things & nothing worked; pushed clutch in cruise control still on; turned vehicle off & vehicle stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #813220, filed 1997-06“After setting the cruise control on vehicle it began to pick up more speed,and vehicle was going more than sped indicated. Dealer has not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #837085, filed 1999-04Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 6% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 10 | 3% |
| 2015 | 15 | 3% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% |
| 2012 | 35 | 7% |
| 2011 | 39 | 8% |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 19 | 5% |
| 2007 | 43 | 7% |
| 2006 | 35 | 8% |
| 2005 | 54 | 8% |
| 2004 | 33 | 28% |
| 2003 | 16 | 11% |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 6% |
| 1999 | 25 | 12% |
| 1998 | 18 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 2% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 8 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 8% |
| 1988 | 5 | 5% |
| 1987 | 3 | 8% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Mustang
82 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsTires
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Mustang
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology