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1991 Ford Mustang problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Ford Mustang is electrical system, typically around 115,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Mustang model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
77
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
35
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-22mpg

The worst 1991 Ford Mustang problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    31
  • Transmission
    9
  • Airbags
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Brakes
    5
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Seats
    4
  • Lights
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Locks
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Ford Mustang

Fire or smoke 14

Recalls 2

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported March 18, 1991 · 6,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.
Risk
If park is not engaged and the parking brake is off, avehicle roll-away could result.
Remedy
Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.

Recall number 91V048000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1991 Ford Mustang

Defect investigations

Fuel line routingOpened February 2, 1994, closed April 19, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE94010

Hood latch failuresOpened October 9, 1991, closed February 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE91137

Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Ford Mustang 35

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 35 bulletins for the 1991 Ford Mustang

1991 Ford Mustang fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylRWD1926-2821-22
5.0L 8‑cylRWD15-1622-2317-19

What 1991 Ford Mustang owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Electrical · 49,500 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford mustang. The contact stated that the independent mechanic notified him that the ignition switch had caught on fire, after the vehicle was parked and repairs were completed to the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic had replaced the fuel pump, fuel injector, air flow, and roller rockers prior to the fire. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished by the mechanic using a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained, the police or fire department were not called. The dealer or the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,500.

Filed Jun 24, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 79,064 miles · CA

The airbags could deploy at an inappropriate time or not at all due to this problem the air bag blinks all the time and the manufacturer has no answers so I am red flagging this problem thank you

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Seat belts · 138,710 miles · MS

Driver side seat belts will not retract automatically causing concern belt would fail to work.

Filed Apr 16, 2013 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · WA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke and then fire from the dash board. The contact called the fire department and personally extinguished the fire. The fire department stated the fire was started due to an electrical component. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the fire was caused by a defective ECM. The contact called manufacturer after noticing a the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number 96v071000 (electrical system). The manufacturer stated the parts for the remedy would not be available until six months. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2010 · Acceleration · 160,905 miles · KS · crash · 2 injuries

1991 mustang lx 5.0 sudden acceleration accident. 1991 mustang lx 5.0 making left turn from stop sign in residential neighborhood when engine on its own went full throttle causing driver to lose control and leave roadway where it continued under full throttle through tree branches and bushes, a 6 foot wrought iron style fence over a retaining wall at which point it briefly became airborne landing on a pool deck then continuing at full throttle onto the subdivision swimming pool tarp until the front end crashed into the pool wall on the opposite side of the pool causing the airbag to deploy. After impact with the pool wall, the right rear tire which was still on the pool deck continued spinning leaving melted rubber on the pool deck. The mustang ended up partially submerged. Thank god that the driver and passenger escaped with minor injuries. 7 years previously the same 1991 mustang on its own, went full throttle, but on a straight 4 lane road. At that time, the driver tried to stop the mustang by braking to no avail. The mustang traveled over 2 miles with the driver applying the brakes until the driver ran out of road and drove the car uphill between two houses at which time the ignition switch was turned off. When the car was restarted in park after the event, the engine again went to full throttle in park with the tachometer going to the 6,000 RPM range. At that time, the car was trucked to a ford dealer which acknowledged the problem and repaired the linkage. The ford dealer assured us the problem had been fixed.

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Brakes · 124,000 miles · IL

I had parked my car in my driveway, I put my parking brake on because my driveway is on a slope. I went to use the car again I removed the parking brake and that's when my brakes locked up. Since then I had to leave my car in the garage.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 126,000 miles · WI · fire

Had smoke coming out from under dash. Lost radio, and tail lights wires from light switch to tail light melted. Not sure if from faulty ignition switch. Would like more info.

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Airbags · 170,000 miles · CA

While vehicle was parked and unattended, the air bag in steering wheel activated. This is the first occurance. No injuries,. Replacement has not occured.

Filed Mar 21, 2006 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · MI

The transmission has gone out three times in this car. The first time it had 20000 miles on it and under warranty and the dealer sent it to a local transmission shop who rebuilt it. One year later it went out again. The dealer would not cover ford would not cover. I got stuck replacing the transmission out of pocket. Now the transmission went again.

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NC

Dt: the contact stated there was a recall the federal safety agency campaign 96v071000 concerning the ignition. However the recall repairs did not correct the problem. The vehicle has same problems again. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired according to the recall at the contact's expense.

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Compare the 1991 Ford Mustang

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1991 Ford Mustang

Is the 1991 Ford Mustang reliable?

Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 1991 Ford Mustang, fewer than a typical Mustang model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1991 Ford Mustang?

Electrical system, with 31 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles. Next is transmission (9).

How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Mustang have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and power train.

Was there a recall on the 1991 Ford Mustang electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 96V071000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Mustang have the most electrical problems?

The Ford Mustang model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (225 complaints), 2016 (73 complaints) and 2015 (68 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Ford Mustang get?

Official estimates for the 1991 Ford Mustang range from 17 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 26-28 highway.

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