1995 Ford Mustang: check engine light

Filed Mar 29, 2003 · Seats · CA

The left bracket/track that attaches the driver's seat to the floor board broke about a year ago. I have had to drive with a broken and unstable seat ever since. Yesterday while on the freeway I attempted to stretch my back and the bracket/track on the right side broke! This caused me to swerve an nearly hit the middle cement retainer wall! Now there is nothing to hold the driver's seat securely to the floor. I have a friend who also owned a 1994 mustang and the exact same thing happened to his seat too. In fact, everything that went wrong with his, went wrong with mine. We both have had to have the transmissions replaced (twice!), idle sensors replaced, complete brake system replaced, radiators replaced, water pumps replaced, the check engine lights remain on all the time no matter what is done to the car, and the same brackets on the same seats have broken. After the multiple number of complaints regarding the same seat issue, doesn't that constitute some sort of recourse for the customer to have repairs done at ford's expense? It's obviously not an owner's issue if so many owners are having the same problem. It's obviously an issue of ford using sub-standard materials in their manufacturing of the vehicles. As I said, this just about caused me to have a very major accident on the freeway. I could have been killed. If ford does not stand behind their product and take responsibility for the defective parts in their cars they are going to find themselves with a very huge law suit when some on finally does get killed.

Filed Feb 12, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · MA · fire

Consumer was traveling about 25mph on a side street and smelled smoke. She was able to pull over to the side. There was smoke coming from underneath the hood of vehicle.*ak consumer states the engine cooling fan failed, dealer replaced engine fan and wires and now when driving the vehicle shakes, skips and stalls, the check engine light has illuminated.

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

While driving, engine light came on; then, vehicle start overheating. Took vehicle to dealer and they found out that engine had a blown head gasket. Dealer could not fix it, instead wanted to replace it. *ak the timing chain cover had a leak. The vehicle's entire engine needed replaced. The vehicle was smoking and overheating after repair because intake manifold gasket was not replaced.

Filed Oct 1, 2001 · Engine · NJ

My car was overheating and the check engine light came on. I took my car to the dealership and had to pay $49.95 plus tax and labor for a compression test. Upon completion of the test, I was told the radiator just needed flushing. I was still having problems with the car overheating. When I took it back to the dealership, I was told the coolant needed to be topped off. This should not have been needed if flushing was all that was needed the first time and if it was filled when the flushing was finished. Even after topping off the coolant it was still running hot, but suddeny the check engine light was no longer coming on. The problems started somewhere along 85,000 miles to 95,000 miles. I am not really sure of the mileage because suddenly can not find my service reports and the mechanics comments that go along with it. At 101,000 miles I was still having problems with the car overheating. Still, no check engine light comes on , though the temperature guage goes all the way to hot. Suddenly my car needs $1700 worth of work. The main cause of damaged is a leaky head gasket. Through doing research I have found that there was a recall of the head gasket. Problem is, the recall is no longer good after 100,000 miles. I find it a little too coincidental that I have had these problems for quite some time, but nothing major was wrong with the car until after the recall warranty was expired.

Filed Mar 14, 2001 · Engine · TX

All gauges went from far left to far right in approximately 1 minute from starting engine and entering highway on ramp. Car shook, then extreme amount of white smoke poured out of rear tailpipe, smelled of burned rubber and antifreeze. Check engine light turned on as I killed engine and coasted to stop on side of highway. Haven't finished digging into all the problems yet, but temp gauge and oil gauge are not working now. I am concerned that this has destroyed my engine. After reading all the other complaints, I wonder why ford has not addressed this problem. As a rule 1 out of every 1000 will take the time to report such a problem, I printed 124 pages of similar engine failures on the 1995 3.8l v6 before I finally shut down my printer. Please advise if there is some form of recall. I had my last car 11 years and 138,000 miles before I had engine problems.

Filed Sep 6, 2000 · Engine · IA

First time faliure was noticed ...was going 65 down the interstate we procded to pull over cause thought it was just a normal everyday overheat,so we pulled off to a rest area to let it cool down so we could then add some water in hopes the problem would go away ..we then started to drive at a slower speed cause when we got back in the check engine light was on .we then got home and when we got there which is a aproximate miles would be less then 30 miles from where first came in to the problem ..I then added more water and some antifrezze in hopes that would help ..then I let the car set for the rest of the day and through the night ..when I woke up to go to work I got back in the car and senn the check engine light was still on I also noticed the temp went back down but of course time would show it would heat back up to a bubbling in less then 15 mins time from when the car was started ..I then took it to the local garage and they informed me the left head gasket had to be replaced ..and since then it has ran like a charm..thank you sally

Filed Aug 20, 2000 · Engine · CA

Engine light stay on, return car for repair, next day engine overheated; made a whining noise and smoke came out from engine. Return car for repair, advised needs new thermostat. Next day the car would not start, battery was dead. Towed car to ford dealership, advised by service, may have a head gasket defect. Service checks and confirmed head gasket blown.

Filed Mar 21, 2000 · Engine · CA

Head gasket blown @ #4 cylinder - service engine light on. 72,299 miles

Filed Mar 8, 2000 · Engine · OH

I was driving along at 45 MPH and the car started to shudder and shake. After a little while, the check engine light came on. I never registered a high engine temperature display. I took it in to the shop, and they topld me I blew 2 head gaskets, and ford is notorious for this. I want my money back, it cost over $1000 to fix the bloody thing.

Filed Mar 3, 2000 · Engine, Steering · ME

The heater in my 1995 ford mustang would not produce warm air and then the "check engine" light came on. The car was looked at by a mechanic who replaced the thermostat. However, heat was still not produced and the odor of antifreeze became apparent. My mechanic at ocean stree auto repair in south portalnd, me, called yankee ford dealer in south portland, me and was told the head gasket on this 3.8l v6 engine was defective and recalled. I was informed by my mechanice at ocean st auto as well as the service manager at yankee ford this part would be replaced at no cost to me under extended warranty. Within a half hour I received a call from the service manager at yankee ford informing me the recall only applied to the taurus and windstar. Although he said it was the same engine and could not see why the recall would not apply to the mustang, he could not fix it under the ford issued recall. I called ford motor company customer service on march 2 and spoke with "selvin" who told me ford was well aware of this defective part and they he "expected" this to be recalled on the mustang and thunderbird at some time, but for now it was ford's policy not to recall the head gasket on this model at this time. Selvin informed me I had no recourse of action and there was no one else at ford motor company I could appeal to. I pressed selvin to give me the name of manager I could talk with and he refused, again stating this it was "ford's position not fix this part as part of the recall even though they knew it was defective. Aside from the car issue, I am a single parent with only that car for transportation. I am now forced to rent a car for an undetermined amount of time while waiting for my ford mustang to be fixed.

Filed Jan 13, 2000 · Engine · ME

While traveling on highway, the engine overheated and heat not working. No engine light came on. Was able to make it back home when the car stopped running. Took it to local mechanic who replaced thermostat, changed coolant and oil. Next day car still overheated and no heat. Took it to ford dealership, who did same as mechanic with same result. They checked the water pump, noticed white substance in radiator. They recommended and replaced radiator. I was told head gasket is ok at this time. They released the car to me. I drove the car for a week, and temperature gauge fluctuated and heat very sporadic. Took it back to dealership, and they state I need new head gaskets. They will not refund money for radiator replacement. I contacted ford motor, and they stated they will not refund money for radiator or pay for head gaskets.

Filed Feb 17, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Check engine light stayed on. Camshaft sensor tested, road tested, computer retested. Have hard copy of computer related problem. Cam position sensor code. Traced wiring harness. Found cid wire bare and grounded. Was repaired traced wave form of sensor no good. Also noticed coolant leak. Pressure tested system. Leak is at timing cover at engine block right side. Told head gasket would have to be replaced, cost $500-700. Car not under warranty. Speculation by mechanic and dealer service resources suggested that age and low mileage should be able to get some relief from manufacturer. Have reviewed complaint database and viewed 6 complaints of gasket problems during 1998 for 95 ford mustangs.