Model year record

1990 Ford Mustang recalls & problems

The 1990 Ford Mustang has 5 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (42 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints85filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 29reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Electrical systemApr 25, 1996

Ignition

Recall 96V0710007,900,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Ford Mustang 2-DR. Convertible

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Mustang

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Mustang

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Mustang

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Mustang

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	42	1	26	1	129,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Fan	10	0	7	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	9	6	0	3	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	8	2	2	2	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › Switch	7	0	0	0	—
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	6	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	6	0	2	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	4	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	4	2	0	2	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	4	0	2	1	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	4	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components	3	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
THE WINDOWS WON'T ROLL DOWN AND I'VE SPENT A WHOLE DAY AND AROUND $100 TRYING TO FIX IT. ALL I WANT IS WORKING WINDOWS, CAN I GET SOME MANUAL DOORS? *TR
Mar 28, 2013 · 129,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TURN SIGNALS AND AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY SLIGHTLY TURNING BACK THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mar 30, 2011 · 130,000 miles
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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.
May 26, 2005
Air bags1 injury
AIR BAG EXPLODED INJURING THE CONSUMER. *PH THE AIR BAG EXPLODED IN THE CONSUMERS FACE AND INJURED HER BADLY. *SC *JB
Jan 21, 1999
Engine and engine cooling
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. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLING SYSTEM ($800.00) (JUNE 24 2003) BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE ENGINE…
Jul 15, 2003
Electrical system
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. *AK
Nov 5, 2003 · 90,000 miles
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM IT CAN CREATE ON 1987-1993, FORD MUSTANG GTS. *AK I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT NIGHT. UPON INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ON WWW.CORRAL.NET, I FOUND OUT THAT THE REASON THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF IS THAT FORD USED AN INSUFFICIENT GAUGE WIRE TO ROUTE POWER TO THE FOGLIGHTS. A TECH ARTICLE (HTTP://WWW.CORRAL.NET/TECH/) WAS WRITTEN BY ONE OF THE CORRAL.NET MEMBERS ON HOW TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I WAS JUST BRINGING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE WAS NEVER A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED. LOSING YOUR…
Jun 30, 2003
Electrical system
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATEED THE WIPERS, LIGHTS, HEATER, RADIO ETC., DOES NOT WORK UNTIL THE KEYS ARE MOVED AROUND. CONSUMER THINKS IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Jan 13, 2003

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LINE ROUTINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94010 · opened Feb 2, 1994 · closed Apr 19, 1994
HOOD LATCH FAILURESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91137 · opened Oct 9, 1991 · closed Feb 27, 1992
THROTTLE STICKS, HIGH IDLEClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91089 · opened Jun 19, 1991 · closed Nov 26, 1991