VehicleVerdict

1986 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1986 Ford Mustang sits mid-pack among Mustang years: 32 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 119, with 2 recalls and 5 closed investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (34% of the total).

32

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

5

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted893 complaints1965: 6 complaints1966: 5 complaints1967: 3 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 3 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 10 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 8 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 35 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 132 complaints1989: 127 complaints1990: 119 complaints1991: 98 complaints1992: 80 complaints1993: 132 complaints1994: 496 complaints1995: 829 complaints1996: 329 complaints1997: 231 complaints1998: 297 complaints1999: 281 complaints2000: 427 complaints2001: 219 complaints2002: 159 complaints2003: 177 complaints2004: 127 complaints2005: 893 complaints2006: 506 complaints2007: 728 complaints2008: 384 complaints2009: 215 complaints2010: 296 complaints2011: 583 complaints2012: 573 complaints2013: 325 complaints2014: 424 complaints2015: 593 complaints2016: 491 complaints2017: 337 complaints2018: 234 complaints2019: 187 complaints2020: 174 complaints2021: 67 complaints2022: 73 complaints2023: 28 complaints2024: 115 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1134%
Engine619%
Seat Belts619%
Tires & Wheels39%
Transmission13%
Brakes13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Latches & Locks13%
Lighting13%
Body & Structure13%

Does the 1986 Ford Mustang have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

87V139000Fuel SystemSeptember 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING ENGINE QUIT, AND LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 18, 1999 · fire

“STARTED DRIVING VEHICLE UP A HILL AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. CONSUMER THEN NOTICED SMOKE. RAISED THE HOOD AND THEN NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE GEAR SHAFT. CONSUMER PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 22, 1997 · fire

“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK, IT APPEARS TO BE LOCKED, BUT IN A SUDDEN STOP IT WOULD NOT RESTRAIN OCCUPANT. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 17, 1995

“DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. RIGHT REAR TIRE STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND WENT FLAT. TIRE SHREDDED BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER. LOOKED AT TIRE AND DIDN'T SEE ANY NAILS, ETC IN TIRE TO CAUSE DEFLATION. TOOK TIRE BACK TO PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A PRO-RATED REPLACEMENT. I DID KEEP TIRE IN CASE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 9, 2004

“REPORTING A FADE/DISCOLORATION OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS, WHICH CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES OTHER MID 1980 VEHICLES AND OTHER LATER VEHICLES HAVE CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS AS WELL WHEN PLASTIC IS USED. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 15, 2000

1986 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 1986 Ford Mustang reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 32 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Mustang year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1986 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), seat belts (6 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1986 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.