VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford Mustang brakes problems

The 1996 Ford Mustang has 47 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

47

Brakes complaints

14%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

00V349000BrakesOctober 30, 2000 · 434,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

DRIVING 30MPH; STARTED APPLYING BRAKES WHEN THEY LOCKED UP; VEHICLE WENT INTO OTHER LANE & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DAMAGED DRIVER'S FRONT; AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL; LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & THEY TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WON'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 3, 1997 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 47 complaints about the 1996 Ford Mustang brakes — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Ford Mustang brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 00V349000.

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.