Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 1996 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while attempting to resell the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 109,000 and at the time of listing the vehicle for sale, it was discovered that the mileage was 145,000.
The worst 1996 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.
- Engine84
- Brakes41
- Transmission25
- Suspension22
- Airbags21
- Fuel system17
- Seat belts12
- Steering12
- Electrical11
- Acceleration10
- Body10
- Tires9
- Visibility7
- Lights6
- Locks4
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Mustang
Overheating 24ABS 10Seat belt 7Engine failure 6Stalling 6Adaptive cruise 5No deployment 5
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Equipment description: passenger vehicles that have had the driver's air bag module replaced after april 5, 2000. The replacement driver's air bag module inflator may have insufficient welds that could prevent proper inflation of the air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the driver's air bag may not properly deploy which could potentially result in less than the intended level of occupant protection.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's air bag module. Owner notification began october 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 01V318000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 00V349000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans. Tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. Air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.
- Risk
- This condition can result in total separation of the outer hood panel.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the hood area for any damage along the leading edge of the hood. If there is any evidence of bond separation, the hood will be replaced. If there is no evidence of bond separation, additional adhesive will be applied between the inner and outer hood panels.
Recall number 97V180000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Ford Mustang
Defect investigations
Front brake hose
There is no summary currently available
PE99002
Outer hood panel detachment
There is no summary currently available
EA97018
Outer hood panel detachment
The office of defects investigation has received 6 reports indicating the outer hood panel separated from the vehicles as they were being driven.ford has provide 39 additional reports that are consistent with odi reports.ford indicates that the likely cause is prior collision damage.this investigation is being upgraded to further study this issue.
PE97011
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Ford Mustang 151
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Intermittent loss of power or crank no start - possible pats lamp flashing and diagnostic trouble codes...
- Remote keyless entry (RKE) - service tips
- New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4R70W transmission - service tip
- Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (CMP) installation...
- Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (CMP) sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge,...
- Climate control a/c service tech tips
- Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock
- Paint repair material request process
- Subject regarding speed control lamp
- Some vehicles may exhibit an intake manifold crossover (first runner) coolant seepage condition
1996 Ford Mustang fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 27 | 21 |
| 4.6L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 22-25 | 18-19 |
What 1996 Ford Mustang owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver and passenger customized, and tunniing. Rims customs
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the radiator warning indicator illuminated and steam started to emerge from the engine compartment. The temperature gage indicated hot. The contact stopped the vehicle on the side of the road. The vehicle was driven home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the diagnosis was that the water crossover from the intake manifold and the engine was fractured and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,242.
Passenger seat belt is stuck and will not retract.
I purchased a 1996 ford mustang from auto credit #3 in airway heights, washington. On 1/2/2011, I receive the vehicle and after three hours of driving, the driver side rear emergency brake locks up. This puts me into an uncontrolled 180 degree spin. On 1/3/2011, I take the vehicle to a les schwab tire center. I told the mechanic to check the brakes. After a few minutes of waiting, I am called into the work area, and I see the front passenger tire is clearly needing to be replaced, as it had the appearance of having been shredded. The same mechanic then tells me that both rear brakes must be replaced, as the emergency brake was frozen in the on position. While the work was being done, I managed to take a few pictures of the brake pads and rotors, but unfortunately, not of the tire in question. In addition, when I received the vehicle, the headlights would not stay lit, and would turn off and on at random. When I complained to the business on 1/5/2011 around 3:00 pm, they said they could not take the vehicle back as I signed a contract. What I signed was a loan agreement. Even when I told them that the vehicle was received in these conditions, they still did nothing. Finally, I told them to take a look at the vehicle and to tell me what was wrong with it the next day, referring to 1/6/2011.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford mustang. The contact stated that on june 4, 2010, while driving at 25 MPH, the intake manifold cracked, the antifreeze spilled and he lost control of the vehicle. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were approximately 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford mustang. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became resistant and loss power steering assist. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway where it was towed to a local repair shop. The independent mechanic made repairs to the front struts, lower ball joints, stable bar link and the control arm. The contact stated a police report was available. The failure mileage was 169,886 and the current mileage was 171,702.
Check engine light will not go off even after service.
The paint is bubbling up and peeling off the trunk lid of my car.
I read about a recall for parking brakes for 1996 ford mustangs with manual. I have an automatic I bought online in january 2007 that has parking break issues it wont keep the car form moving. I had it towed one time and the tow truck driver said it was faulty. Is the recall still available for an automatic?
Compare the 1996 Ford Mustang
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1996 Ford Mustang
Is the 1996 Ford Mustang reliable?
Owners have filed 246 complaints about the 1996 Ford Mustang, close to a typical Mustang model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford Mustang?
Engine and cooling, with 84 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles. Next is brakes (41).
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Mustang have?
3 recalls, covering air bags, parking brake and structure.
What year does the Ford Mustang have bad engine?
The Ford Mustang model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (341 complaints), 1994 (162 complaints) and 1996 (84 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Mustang get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Ford Mustang range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 27 highway.
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