1988 Ford Mustang electrical system problems
56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1988 Ford Mustang — 52% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I was driving to a funeral home to pick up ashes 40 miles from home with two chow dogs when the steering column started smoking and was burning. The vehicle stalled out and I pulled to the side of the road. I contacted aaa to have the car towed to a reliable repair shop. I had a used one installed…”
filed Apr 14, 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1988 ford mustang. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle began riding roughly and the engine failed. The contact pulled out of traffic, waited twenty minutes, and then restarted the vehicle. He drove a block and the vehicle stopped again. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic…”
filed Sep 5, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Electrical System problems in other Mustang years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Mustang | 32 | 44% |
| 2022 Mustang | 7 | 14% |
| 2021 Mustang | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 Mustang | 24 | 21% |
| 2019 Mustang | 31 | 22% |
| 2018 Mustang | 30 | 16% |
| 2017 Mustang | 34 | 13% |
| 2016 Mustang | 71 | 19% |
| 2015 Mustang | 66 | 15% |
| 2014 Mustang | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 Mustang | 18 | 7% |
| 2012 Mustang | 21 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1988 Ford Mustang
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.