Model year record

1999 Ford Mustang recalls & problems

The 1999 Ford Mustang has 10 safety recalls and 213 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (34 complaints).

Recalls10safety recalls

Complaints213filed by owners

Crashes · fires50 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths22 · 2reported in complaints

1999 Ford Mustang in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

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 lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E05600058,640 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

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.

Exterior lightingMay 8, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E038000724 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Parking brakeOct 30, 2000

Conventional

Recall 00V349000434,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

Seat beltsSep 20, 1999

Front › Anchorage

Recall 99V25000025,306 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.
Risk: IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Vehicle speed controlMar 30, 1999

Vehicle speed control

Recall 99V062001898,739 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Risk: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

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

1999 Ford Mustang 2-DR.

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

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Mustang

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Mustang

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Mustang

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Mustang

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/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*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	34	0	0	0	59,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	32	24	0	16	87,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	27	3	0	0	25,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	26	9	0	4	134,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist	24	6	0	1	—
Parking brakeConventional; Conventional › Mechanical	22	10	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Retractor	21	2	0	3	36,000 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	13	3	0	1	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	11	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch	11	0	2	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust	10	4	0	1	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Front	10	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
II WAS PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK AND THE AIR BAGS INFLATED AND TO GAS LIKE SMELL CAME FROM THE BAGS.
Apr 10, 2021 · 110,000 miles
Electrical system
I HAVE HAVING ISSUES WITH WIRING. WIDE SHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, MULTIPLE HEAD LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DOME LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES
Jan 20, 2018
Service brakes
MY VEHICLE STARTED MOVING WHEN I PARKED IN A 30 DEGREE INCLINE.
Jan 28, 2018 · 177,000 miles
Air bags
IT WAS LATE SUMMER, CLOSE TO EARLY FALL 2017. MY TWO SONS, AGES 17 AND 15, HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE AND WERE GETTING INTO THE 1999 MUSTANG TO COME HOME. (MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, MATTHEW, HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND HAD NO TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS OR VIOLATIONS YET EITHER, NOR DOES HE NOW. HE HAS BEEM A CAREFUL DRIVER.) THEY WERE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, AS THEY HAD JUST EXITED THEIR PARKING SPOT, AND THEN PROCEEDED AHEAD, AND WHILE DRIVING IN VERY SLOW MOTION WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP OR NODE, OR BARELY ANYTHING, IN THE ENUMCLAW HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. THE AIRBAGS BOTH BLEW OUT SUDDENLY, SLIGHTLY INJURING MY 15 YEAR OLD SON'S HAND, AND BLINDING AND PUSHING THEM BOTH BACKWARD IN…
Aug 30, 2017 · 107,000 miles
Seat belts
MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION WELL. SOMETIMES, THEY RETRACT VERY SLOW, LOSE AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT EVEN RETRACT. ALSO, SOMETIME THEY GET STUCK. WHEN I BRAKE HARD, THEY STUCK AND TOO TIGHT....ON THE OTHER HAND SOMETIMES THEY ARE VERY LOSE AND DOESN'T STAY TIGHT TO MY CHEST, SAME IS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATOR SEAT BELTS AND ALSO THE REAR SEAT SEAT BELTS. IT BEEN HAPPENING FOR COUPLE OF WEEKS.
Nov 1, 2015
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECREASE IN SPEED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V062001 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Nov 26, 2014 · 165,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND IMPACTED THE CONTACT IN THE FACE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, CAUSING UNKNOWN INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Feb 19, 2007 · 95,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jul 1, 2013 · 75,000 miles

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

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006