1998 Ford Mustang: fire, smoke or burning smell

10 of the 236 complaints about the 1998 Ford Mustang describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 10
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 15 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2022
1
2020
6
2019
3
2018
5
2017
10
2016
11
2015
12
2014
2
2013
1
2012
3
2009
2
2007
3
2006
3
2005
8
2003
2
2002
5
2001
2
2000
9
1999
4
1998
10
1997
3
1996
4
1995
33
1994
17
1993
24
1992
12
1991
14
1990
19

What owners say

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford mustang which was purchased brand new in 1998. The vehicle was parked in front of his home when he noticed flames coming from the rear end of the vehicle. He immediately attempted to extinguish the fire to no avail. The fire department was called and were able to extinguish the fire. The fire marshall stated that the origin of the fire was electrical and also included that in the police/fire report filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was not aware if there were any open recalls on the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 150,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2009 · Engine · NJ · fire

I recently purchased a 1999 ford mustang with a 1998 used engine installed into it. I only had 1 real problem with it and it was my exhaust. I had that fixed and ran great for the next day. Less then 36 hrs after the exhaust was fixed and after sitting for about 15 hrs or so, which was from around 9:45 pm friday the 21st to around 12:30 to 1:00 pm on the 22nd of august. A neighbor came pounding on our door telling us our car was on fire!!!! He also stated that he heard what sounded like someone was trying to start it from a distance. Well we don't have a remote starter for this car, it only unlocks the car and trunk, does not start it. We believe it was electrical in nature and need to find out what happened as I only had liability ins. And now I have lost my car and have nothing...... I have pictures of my car just melting away, the entire front of it. I loved this car, I wasn't even finished paying for it. I still owe $1395 on it and I only had it for about 7 months. Fire marshall is still investigating it. I believe he said it possibly started on the passenger side where there was a box above the tire area with wires in it. What were these wires, what were they for as I couldn't see anything matching that description on a 1998 engine image...??? This was the first and only real problem we had, the engine light was always on from the time of purchase, seller did fix but light came back on in about 1 week and was on until fire.

Filed Dec 13, 2004 · Fuel system · KY · crash · fire · 1 injury

I hit a tree after driving off the road and the car became ingulfed in flames and soon burned the car to nuthing but straight metal loss of everything even rims were melted and windows too all that was left was hard metal surfaces I was almost burned alive plus the airbags deployed to late and my head actually impacted the steering wheel breaking my nose and splitting my forehead open and almost lost my left eye due to the impact the seatbelt worked too good it sperated my left shoulder and broke my collar bone stretching all my tendons in my left shoulder breaking my clavical and shoulder blade.

Filed Aug 29, 2002 · Electrical · NY · fire

Left the vehicle parked and without prior warning vehicle caught on fire. Fire started inside of compartment.

Filed Jan 11, 2001 · Fuel system · LA

While driving at about 40-50mph low fluid light came on. Then, consumer noticed that there was smoke coming from engine. When he pulled over there was anti-freeze pouring out onto floor. Contacted dealer, and dealer did not want to fix problem.

Filed Dec 13, 2000 · Fuel system · FL

Raw fuel smell randomly enters cab of car. This only happens when it is 85 or or hotter. It burns my eyes and gets me very sick. This is very dangerous forme and my family and other people on the road for this can cause an accident. Or my car catch on fire.

Filed Dec 9, 2000 · Electrical · FL · fire

While driving on the interstate the vehicle stalled when I tried to restart the car I pulled off the road and this when I noticed fire coming out from above the right front tire this car was manufactured with a fiberglass hood which is very flamable the hood caught fire which caught the top on fire which fell into the interior which caught fire and resulted in a total loss of vehicle if this was a wreck and I was trapped in the car when the engine and hood caught fire this would have resulted in a loss of life, ford should not have installed a fiberglass hood on a convertable ,when I contacted them about the fire they were very cold and seemed to not care that a car they built with only 25,000 miles on it burst into flames while being driven down the road.

Filed Aug 17, 1999 · Engine · NV · fire

Vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment after being parked for less than 15 minutes. Fire department indicated it might have been the alternator. Dealer said that vehicle was totaled.

Filed Nov 13, 1998 · Electrical · TX · fire

While sitting at a red light consumer smelled smoke and then noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. Got out the vehicle and the fire started. Another consumer standing three cars from her helped to put the fire out.

Filed Oct 26, 1998 · Electrical · TX · fire

While the consumer was driving they witnessed smoke coming from the ventilation vents. After witnessing the smoke, the consumer pulled over and got out of the vehicle. The instrument panel caught flames. A nearby driver put the fire out with the extinguisher, and the fire department was contacted. They determined that the fire was caused by a loose wire that touched the metal and sparked a fire. The dealership has been contacted but not the manufacturer.