NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 297 owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Mustang. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (61) and air bags (34). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Mustang model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 304 |
| 1997 | 230 |
| 1998 | 320 |
| 1999 | 297 |
| 2000 | 446 |
| 2001 | 280 |
| 2002 | 209 |
| 2003 | 271 |
| 2004 | 130 |
| 2005 | 868 |
| 2006 | 575 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 261 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2016 | 380 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 122 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND IT WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.”
“IT WAS LATE SUMMER, CLOSE TO EARLY FALL 2017. MY TWO SONS, AGES 17 AND 15, HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE AND WERE GETTING INTO THE 1999 MUSTANG TO COME HOME. (MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, MATTHEW, HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND HAD NO TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS OR VIOLATIONS YET EITHER, NOR DOES HE NOW. HE HAS BEEM A CAREFUL DRIVER.) THEY WERE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, AS THEY HAD JUST EXITED THEIR PARKING SPOT, AND THEN PROCEEDED AHEAD, AND WHILE DRIVING IN VERY SLOW MOTION WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP OR NODE, OR BARELY ANYTHING, IN THE ENUMCLAW HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. THE AIRBAGS BOTH BLEW OUT SUDDENLY, SLIGHTLY INJURING MY 15 YEAR OLD SON'S HAND, AND BLINDING AND PUSHING THEM BOTH BACKWARD IN THEIR SEATS. BOTH OF THEM JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, VERY SCARED. THEY HAD BEEN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, SO WERE ABLE TO STOP SUDDENLY DO THIS AND STILL SAFELY ENOUGH TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT. MANY OF THE FOOTBALL BOYS WERE WATCHING, AS THEY WERE DRIVING RIGHT BY THEM, AND EVERYONE BROKE OUT IN EMOTION. ONE WITNESS CLAIMED THAT IT CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND. THEY DROVE HOME THAT DAY, WITH AIRBAGS OUT, BUT SINCE THEY HAVE QUITE DRIVING THE CAR, AS IT APPEARS TO…”
“INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK DESTROYING ENGINE. CYLINDER HEAD SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. HEATER CORE FAILURE. CONVERTIBLE TOP DETERIORATING. FUEL PUMP FAILURE ALL LESS THAN 1200000”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Mustang Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, 3.8N · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Mustang Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, 4.6M FFS MPFI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,700 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
10 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 297 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (61), air bags (34), power train (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Ford Mustang at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).