1989 FORD MUSTANG Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I have had the outside sidewall separate from the rest of the tire on two occasions, with these tires. The first time was in May of 2021, the second on June 1, 2023. I currently have the tire that separated on June 1st. Both times I was on the highway driving around 70 when the car began to shake violently, as if I was on an exaggerated rumble strip. I was able to pull into the emergency lane and change to a spare. The first time I assumed maybe the tire was low on air and didn't report it, however now after having a second tire do the exact same thing believe they are defective. Tire size is 225/55/16, for full disclosure I did purchase the tires and wheels off craigslist, however they were in very good condition. I Believe Granada is a Les Schwab brand. Picture of both tires are attached.

SEAT BELTS PULL OUT AND LATCH HOWEVER THE CROSS BODY PORTION DOES NOT RECEDE BACK INTO FRAME, ONLY CONTINUES TO LOOSEN AND NOT RETRACT THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME YOU ATE USING THE SEAT BELTS, HAPPENS WITH FRONT AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS, EITHER STOPPED. DRIVING, BREAKING OR EXCELLING. ITS ALL THE TIME . MY BEST GUESS IS THAT THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM IS OLD AND WORE OUT. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS 131,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE MOTOR. NO IDEA WHY THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN GOING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. OVERDRIVE STOPPED WORKING. NO WARNING, NO OCCASIONAL SLIPS. JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE SWITCHING INTO OVERDRIVE IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER 50 MILES PER HOUR AS CAR WON'T SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR. MY GUESS IS CHANGE TRANSMISSION. LOOKING FOR ONE NOW TO EITHER REBUILD IT OR GET A NEW ONE. SWITCHES, DRIVER SIDE SWITCH WOULD NOT CATCH THE WINDOW TO ROLL UP OR DOWN,, THEN THE SWITCH PLATE WOULD STICK AND STARTED SMOKING. I REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE NOW WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR SPEEDOMETER GAGES ARE NO LIGHTS. UNABLE TO SEE GAGES. ***I DO REALIZE THE CAR IS 31 YEARS OLD NOW. AND MAY JUST BE OLD AGE GETTING TO MY FOXBODY. *** THANK YOU

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE MUSTANG AND FOLLOWING ME AT NIGHT. SHE HAD THE FOG LAMPS TURNED ON ALONG WITH THE HEADLAMPS AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SHE COULD STOP, BUT DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. THE LIGHTS KEPT FLICKERING ON AND OFF STAYING OFF FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. WE FINISHED THE TRIP WE WERE ON WITH JUST THE HEADLAMPS AND THEY DID NOT FLICKER. WE DID NOT BRING THE CAR BACK TO TOWN UNTIL AUGUST AND I TOOK IT TO IMMEL MOTORS FORD DEALER IN FREDERICKSBURG, TX. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER WE GOT IT OUT IT CONTINUED TO FLICKER IF WE USED THE FOG LAMPS SO WE QUIT USING THEM. I RECENTLY FOUND THAT THERE IS A TSB 891711 AUG 89 THAT IDENTIFIES THAT PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST THE 1989 MUSTANGS. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT IT HAS CAUSED MANY ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY EVEN DEATHS. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING TO REPAIR IT, BUT IMMEL MOTORS DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF VEHICLES OUT THERE BEING AFFECTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET A DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD MUSTANG. WHENEVER THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT MUST REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND RETRY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN THE STARTER AND RELAY WERE REPLACED.

I JUST FILED A COMPLAINT 10-15-06, AND AFTER GOING OVER MY ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED MY 1989 MUSTANG ON 11-05,, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE WRECK COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAUTLY EQUIMENT THAT IS IN MY CAR,, LIKE I SAID IN MY FIRST FORM I TRIED TO HAVE THIS FIXED WITHIN A WEEK OR SO OF PURCHACING THE CAR,,AND IT DID THE SAME THING BEFORE I GOT HOME FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP. MIGHT I ADD IT WENT TO A FORD DEALER TO BE FIXED..I REALLY FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A BIG ISSUSE AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM NOT AT MY EXPESNE I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE ABOUT THIS MATTER... I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS DOING THIS (ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN THEN IT IS NORMAL AGAIN) UNTIL I SAW YOUR WEB SITE AND READED THE COMPLAITS ON THE 1989 MUSTANG,,, PLEASE HELP,,, THANK YOU SHERRY COOK. *NM

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF NO WHERE THE CAR WILL ACCERATOR ON ITS OWN,,THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY,,SOME TIMES NOT FOR A WEEK,, AND TEN TIMES IN ONE DAY,, I FEEL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS,,IT DONT JUST JUMP UP AND STOP,,IT WILL KEEP DOING IT AND GO FASTER UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE CAR,,I HAD A FORD DEALER REPLACE THE THOTTLE BODY,,HOWEVER BEFORE I MADE IT HOME IT DID THE SAME THING,,THIS COSTED ME 500.00 AND THE CAR IS STILL DOING IT UP TO PRESENT DAY..I HAVE ALSO HAD TO BUY MORE STARTERS THAN NORMAL BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS RESTARTING MY CAR WHILE DRIVING,, I PUSH IN CLUTCH AND TURN KEY OFF WHILE A SECOND AND RESTART THE CAR AND LET OUT THE CLUTCH,,LIKE I SAID THIS PUTS ALOT OF PEOPLE IN HARMS WAY AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT RECALL,, I TRYED TO HAVE IT FIXED ON MY OWN HOWEVER I DO FEEL THAT FORD IS REPOSIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM..

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL #96 V 071 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED ON STEERING WHEEL IT CAUSES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VEHICLE TO SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, DRIVER'S SEAT FULLY RECLINED, DISTRACTING CONSUMER VIEW WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER HIT BRAKES AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY IN LOCKED POSITION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AKTHE DRIVERS SIDE BELT WAS REPLACED, BUT WOULD NOT WORK AFTER INSTALLATION. *JG

FRONT PASSENGER LAP SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY IN LOCKED POSITION ,AND IS CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE A SEAT BELT ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES UNDER HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS THE VEHICLES IGNITION WILL SPARK AND CLICK. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED SWITCH 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

UNDER HOT CONDITIONS IGNITION SPARKS AND CLICKS. DEALER HAS REPLACED SWITCH THREE TIMES, AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HOOD LATCH WILL NOT WORK IF HOOD IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY.*JB

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V071000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND TOOK VEHICLE ON APPOINTED DATE. AFTER PICKING UP VEHICLE, NOTICED IGNITION ACTED SAME AS BEFORE GOING TO DEALER. OWNER TOOK IGNITION APART AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURER FOR PART NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT. PART WAS NEVER REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP.*AK *TT

CONSUMER STATES HOOD LATCH WILL NOT WORK IF HOOD IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY.*JB

SIDEWALL DISINTINGRATED, INNER AND OUTER, WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. NOTHING WAS IN THE ROAD THAT WAS HIT OR ANYTHING. THERE WERE NO BUMPS OR DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT, IT JUST CAME APART.*AK (DOT NUMBER: EJ9DDMH127 TIRESIZE: 22560R15)

BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY OR WILL EITHER JUST HANG UP, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 35MPH WHEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING. HOSE HAD BROKEN. THEN IT STALLED OUT WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO RESOLUTION FOR PROBLEM WHICH WAS GETTING WORSE.*AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE SURGING HAD DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH REQUIRED REPAIR ALSO. *MJS

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. MY FRIEND HAS A 1988 MUSTANG, WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I AM AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESULT OF A BAD DESIGN (I.E. THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE GETS TOO HOT, WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSISTORS TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY). THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE MANY LIVES TO FIGURE THIS OUT. THANK YOU, JOSH SHAW

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SURGES AND CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PROBLEM MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON.

I HAD ADDED OIL THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AND I CLOSED THE HOOD. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING (TRAVELING OVER THE HANOVER STREET BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE), THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD HAD COME LOOSE BEFORE, BUT THE SAFETY LATCH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IT TO STAY DOWN. ALSO, I WASN'T MOVING THAT FAST. I WAS GOING 55MPH OVER THE BRIDGE.I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM WITH MUSTANGS, AND I HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE MYSELF. I SAW ONE IN COLUMBIA, MD THAT HAD THE SAME CREASE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD (FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD), AND IT ALSO HAD THE VENT IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD BUSTED OUT. IS THIS A MECHANICAL FAILURE? IT SEEMS SO TO ME. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. BRIAN WHEELER. *AK

FUEL PUMP SAFETY SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE ON ITS OWN & CAR WOULDN'T START UNLESS YOU HIT THE SWITCH. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND SO HAS BATTERY.

THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS UNLESS CAR WAS OFF. ALSO CLUTCH CABLE BROKE, AND THE GEARS GRIND GOING IN REVERSE. THERE HAS BEEN 3 REPLACEMENTS OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, 2 OF THE CABLE, 3 OF THE GEARS AND NOW I'M GOING ON THE 4TH TIME. *AK

THE CAR AT ANY SPEED WILL JUST SUDDENLY DIE ... USUALLY ITS WHEN IT IS REALLY WARM OUTSIDE......IVE RECENTLY READ A REPORT ABOUT DISTRIBUTER -MOUNTED TFI MODULES AND I BELEIVE ( SINCE MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM ) THAT THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. ITS VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING 55MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE !!! I HOPE YOU WILL RECONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V071000 AND CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS OF IGNITION SWITCH. 4 YEARS LATER, IGNITION SWITCH HAD A SHORT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR, WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH DEALER.*AK

RECALL 96V071000/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH, AND CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL WAS THE REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, MSNUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

A FIRE STARTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS AND ALTERNATOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK *ML

Fire

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, UPON APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND TURN VEHICLE OFF. NO DAMEGES OR INJURY REPORTED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE.*AK

THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN CONSUMER ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED A PENNY INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHT. CONSUMER FEELS THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM OCCURING. NLM

Fire 3 injured

HOLE IN THE GAS TANK CAUSED FUSE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FUEL TO SPILL OUT OF THE TOP RESULTING IN A RUSTED MUFFLER AND BRACKETS, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICE STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. NLM

3 injured

EACH WINTER I REPLACE 1 OR BOTH OF THE EXT. HANDLES. THE INT. HANDLES BECOME HARD TO OPERATE AND EVENTUALLY REQUIRE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD PERSONNEL THAT THEY HAVE TO "POUND THE HINGES BACK IN" TO FIX THE LATER PROBLEM.

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT ON 1/31/96. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FIRE COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTERIOR DASHBOARD AREA. THE PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION RELAY. THE CAR WAS REMOVED BY A TOWING SERVICE AND DELIVERED TO A JUNK YARD. A TOTAL OF $100 WAS PROVIDED FOR THE CAR FOR USED PARTS. THERE WAS NO INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THIS INCIDENT. ON SEPT. 1996, WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECAL NOTICE FROM THE FORD MOTOR CO. STATING THAT 1988-93 MODEL MUSTANGS COULD EXPERIENCE A SHORT CIRCUT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLY FIRE. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR CO. BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO SUPPORTING RESPONCE. ALSO, THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT INDICATED THAT OUR APPLICATION DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD. WE HAVE A COPY OF THE FIRE REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE.

Fire

WHILE MY WIFE WAS GETTING INTO THE CAR THE LEFT FRONT STUD BROKE OUT OF THE SEATBACK FRAME. FROM THE SUDDEN MOVE TO THE REAR SHE PULL HERE BACK. THE PART THAT BROKE DID NOT HAVE ANY RUST. ALSO THE STUD WAS NOT SQUARED TO THE NUT. I HAVE NOT CHECK THE OTHER STUD YET. ALSO I NEED TO CHECK THE OTHER SEAT. I MAY SEEK LEGAL ACTION . JUST HOW MANY TIME HAS THIS SEAT FAILED IN A DRIVING ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO CHECK ALL MOUNTS. THIS WILL BE MY SECOND ROUND WITH FORD. I AM 1 TO 0 FOR THEM. THANK YOU. *AK

1 injured

VEHICLE RECEIVED RECALL REPAIR WORK ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM (96V-071) ON APRIL 21, 1999 ON APRIL 26, 1999 VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. MJS

Fire

HAS CAR BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND ALSO HOW MANY PREVIOUS OWNERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED, INFORMATION REQUEST ONLY. *AK

THE PLASTIC DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS GETS FADED AND OPAQUE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE DIMMER, AND MAY RESULT IN VISUAL DIFFICULTIES AND IN A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. THE REASON YOU HAVE PROBLEMS IS BECAUSE YOUR CARS ARENT BEING TAKEN CARE OF. I'V HAD MYSTANG FOR TWO YEARS AND HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS. DONT BLAME THESE PROBLEMS ON FORD, BLAME THEM ON YOURSELF.

SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING TO PROPER POSITION. *AK

SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, AND CAN TANGLE. FRONT SEAT DRIVERS SIDE ANCHOR BROKE, METAL SUPPORTING SEAT RAIL WAS SPLIT. REPAIRED VIA BRAZING. SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE CLICKED FROM DELIVERY, DEALER SAID WAS NORMAL, AT MILEAGE THE NEEDLE EXITED THE ASSEMBLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF WILDLY ERATIC MOVEMENT. *AK