Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 701 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Mustang, and it carries 16 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 311 | 44% |
| Power train | 47 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 33 | 5% |
| Suspension | 32 | 5% |
| Air bags | 25 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 4% |
| Steering | 22 | 3% |
| Structure | 19 | 3% |
| Seats | 14 | 2% |
| Tires | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN AND CIRCUIT BREAKER WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DEALER (ONEONTA FORD, 5142 NY-23, ONEONTA, NY 13820, (607) 432-7300) DIAGNOSED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MISFIRE WHEN IDLE, WHEN TURNS OFF AFTER DRIVING IT WON'T START ENGINE QUICK, NEED TO LET THE FUEL PUMP RECHARGE A BIT SO IT CAN START AGAIN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS BUT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
SUFFERED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR APPROACHING TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD TO JUMP THE CURBS AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE STOPPED CARS. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE HEADLIGHT/TAILLIGHT/DASH LIGHT SWITCH BURNS UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! *TR
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CHARGED THE BATTERY AND NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS STILL LOW. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY HOWEV
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLI
NHTSA complaint: Engine
1995 FORD MUSTANG. UNIT #1 WAS EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, SUFFERED A BLOWOUT AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD INTO A GUARDRAIL. *LN (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0406-91)*JB
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 1995 Ford Mustang. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability | 34 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 57 | average |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 701 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 311 of them (44%). There are 16 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 34/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 57/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.