1996 Ford Mustang engine problems
Owners reported engine problems in 73 complaints for the 1996 Ford Mustang, 22% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 73 22% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 71,000 miles 17 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 17 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 71,000 miles, and 35% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries.
What owners wrote
While driving the vehicle the consumer smelled smoke, consumer states that it smelled like wire burning. Consumer opened the hood of the vehicle, and fire came from the front end of the vehicle. There were injuries. There were no warnings. Please provide any further information.
Our family has three 1996 mustangs, one with a manual and two with automatic transmissions. We have had all three of them blow the head gasket on them, one at a year, one at three years, and one at four years. Now, I have found out recently that ford offered a free replacement on the gaskets, for an extended 7 years, and would like to warn others that they are very likely to go out, and to let them know to "remind" the ford dealer about this issue.
Other problems reported for the 1996 Ford Mustang
- Brakes 47 complaints
- Suspension 23 complaints
- Cooling system 22 complaints
- Air bags 21 complaints
- Fuel system 18 complaints
- Transmission 17 complaints