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1998 Ford Mustang steering problems

22 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
22
of this car's complaints
9%
crashes
6
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Steering wheel/handle bar
    6
  • Hydraulic power assist system
    4
  • Rack and pinion
    3
  • Column locking: anti-theft device
    2
  • Rack and pinion: rack
    1
  • Hydraulic power assist: pump
    1
  • Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
    1
  • Column
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Mustang steering problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

Steering: gear box: shaft sectorReported September 30, 1997 · 2,250 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears may have damaged input shaft bearings.
Risk
This condition can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range. The date codes for windstar model vehicles are 97jb09 or 97jc08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97j09b or 97j08b.

Recall number 97V165000 · Recall details

What 1998 Ford Mustang owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 22, 2009 · Steering · 150,000 miles · OH

There has been a significant loss in steering stability. Everything from the power steering pump to the rack and pinion show no signs of leaking. I've had the ps lines replaced as well as the ps pump, because if the lack of stability and the problem still persists. Ps fluid has been replaced and bled. And the pump is still very loud (it was always loud, the new pump is the same way. But that's more annoying than a safely concern). I'll be driving down the street and on the highway and the car will suddenly veer to the left or right. Car has new tires and has been aligned recently.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Steering · 54,000 miles · CA · crash

I've also seeked legal advice, and they advised me that I was frauded, and that I do have a case, however they couldn't further assist me due to the fact my insurance company paid off my loan on the vehicle, and that the vehicle is no longer in my possession. Now that everything has been said, my question to you is, is there anything that I can further do as a consumer??? Please advise. Thank you for your assistance, iva d. Oklobdzija . Most ofour comments are missing.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Steering · 54,000 miles · CA · crash

My life, as well as another human beings life could have been at stake due to someone wanting to make some money. Thank god the party involved and myself came out of this ordeal with just minor bruising. I am a twenty-one year old well-educated woman with a responsible job profile, and a clean record. I have never violated the law, therefore all that has happened is hard to take. From the start, I requested my insurance to take the claim more seriously, and for an intense investigation to take place on the vehicle, since this was a bizarre accident with no known cause, and even with the chp forming an opinion on assumptions, I was not at fault for this accident, and was not charged with careless driving, or any other traffic infraction. Since what I requested did not occur, I am dissatisfied with the way this was conducted. Basically for the month and a half that my insurance had the vehicle stored, they never conducted any type of investigation nor was my vehicle inspected. I even went to the degree of having my vehicle towed to my residence at my own expense, so I may hire a certified technician to inspect the vehicle. However, that never took place due to bad timing. The vehicle was sitting on my property for about a week or so, and before I could get a hold of someone to do the inspection and to take the vehicle apart, I had to get ready for surgery, so the inspection was put on hold due to health reasons. The local police department wanted me to move the vehicle as soon as possible, so I had no other choice then to call my insurance and have them take the "total loss" vehicle. I also found out that most of the repairs and restorations were done by my insurance, and that is why I believe they did not want to do a thorough investigation.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Steering · 54,000 miles · CA · crash

I was involved in a very bizarre accident. On august 10, 2004 at 8:30 am, I was going to work using the highway I regularly use everyday, highway one in pacifica, california, located four blocks from my home. Weather conditions were normal. As I was getting onto the highway entrance, going no more than twenty miles per hour, and as I made my way down the ramp a few inches, my car started swaying back and forth. Pulling me right, and then to the left. I was not distracted, preoccupied, nor on a cell phone. I was looking at the road straight ahead. I tried to stear the car, but it kept shifting from side to side, causing me to fall off the ramp and land onto the traffic going the same direction I was headed (north). One car ended up hitting me. The police was already on the highway so they immediately came to the scene. Since this was such a frightening accident, and no known cause for it, since I was not under the influence and going at such a low speed, I have requested the accident scene and the car to be inspected. There might be something wrong mechanically. I believe this accident was caused due to malfunction of the vehicle. I could have possibly been the rack & pinion assembly, tie rod, or power steering valves. Throughout the course work, I found out that my vehicle was in pervious accidents. This information was never disclosed to me at the date of the purchase, and I requested it from the dealership numerous times. All my requests for the vehicles history and owner history were placed to the side. No matter how much I adored the vehicle, I would have not purchased it knowing this information. The vehicle was "certified" and I opted for an extended warranty, to be on the safe side. I angers me to find out that the vehicle was repaired and rebuilt several times, and placed back onto the road. Here I was thinking I was purchasing a vehicle that was "certified" and in mint condition. This matter is really important to me.continuation.

Filed May 23, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · CA

The stalling problem is a major safety hazard. The car stalls when the brake pedal is depressed (in neutral gear). The power steering and power brakes also lose power, causing me to do whatever not to crash. I know of other mustangs noticing the same problem. My car was serviced at the dealer for this specific problem, but failed to fix it.

Filed Mar 15, 2001 · Steering · GA

The car is is a little over two years old and I feel that a car should not be prohibated from starting if the anti theft system failes and the manufacturer should be responsible for thier defects when a part prematurely failes.

Filed Jan 12, 2001 · Steering · MS

Steering rack bushings have become loose, causing erratic handling on highway and "jumping" effect when maneuvering in parking lot with steering turned all the way.

Filed Apr 23, 2000 · Steering · WA

Appears to have fractured at weld - ford dealer will begin repairs 4/24.

Filed Dec 13, 1999 · Brakes, Steering · NM

Braking, and shifting (automatic). Need information on making ford pay for the lemon!

Filed Sep 3, 1999 · Steering · MD

Sometimes when starting vehicle the anti-theft device does not connect to the starter, causing the vehicle not to start. Dealer has not seen vehicle.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Mustang steering

Does the 1998 Ford Mustang have steering problems?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Ford Mustang, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Mustang steering problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Mustang steering?

Yes, 1 recall: 97V165000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Mustang have bad steering?

The Ford Mustang model years with the most steering complaints are 1995 (30 complaints), 2011 (25 complaints) and 1998 (22 complaints).

Other 1998 Ford Mustang problems

Engine 41Brakes 33Fuel system 30Transmission 21Acceleration 18Seat belts 18Suspension 16Airbags 15Electrical 12Seats 9Tires 9Body 8Visibility 6Lights 4Locks 4Wheels 2

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