VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford Mustang steering problems

The 1998 Ford Mustang has 23 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Steering complaints

8%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Related recalls

97V165000SteeringSeptember 30, 1997 · 2,250 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARINGS.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

<PAGE 3> 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 10, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 1998 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1998 Ford Mustang steering — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Ford Mustang steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 97V165000.

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.