VehicleVerdict

1991 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Ford Mustang is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 98 owner complaints run below the Mustang median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 38 reports (39% of the total).

98

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

27

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3839%
Transmission99%
Airbags77%
Brakes77%
Engine77%
Seats55%
Fuel System44%
Seat Belts33%
Lighting33%
Suspension33%
Speed Control22%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Child Seat11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1991 Ford Mustang have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

96V071000Electrical SystemApril 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 units

Defect

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

91V048000TransmissionMarch 18, 1991 · 6,800 units

Defect

THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.

Consequence

IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.

Remedy

REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DRIVING HOME APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH , THERE WAS A SMELL OF SMOKE AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE STEERING PANEL, PULLED OVER , GOT OUT OF CAR AND IN MATTER OF SECONDS IT WAS IN FLAMES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 22, 1996 · fire

“THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES IN THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAD 20000 MILES ON IT AND UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER SENT IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO REBUILT IT. ONE YEAR LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER FORD WOULD NOT COVER. I GOT STUCK REPLACING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 19, 2005

“I HAD PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY PARKING BRAKE ON BECAUSE MY DRIVEWAY IS ON A SLOPE. I WENT TO USE THE CAR AGAIN I REMOVED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THAT'S WHEN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP. SINCE THEN I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 30, 2008

“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT AT 35MPH. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 12, 2003 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE OIL PRESSURE. OIL GAUGE STARTED TO FLUCTUATE. AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, MADE CALLS TO MECHANICS. WAS INFORMED A COMPOSITE WAS REPLACED IN THE OIL PAN GASKET. THE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE MESSED UP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1991 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 1991 Ford Mustang reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mustang: 98 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1991 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (38 complaints), transmission (9 complaints), airbags (7 complaints).

Does the 1991 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.