Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1987 vs 1988 FORD MUSTANG

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 467 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 181.6% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1987 share 1988 share Share change
ENGINE 7.9% 2.8% ▼ 5.1 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 5.3% 8.4% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44.7% 47.7% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.6% 0.9% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5.3% 3.7% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
WHEELS not reported 0.9% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13.2% 14.0% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 5.3% 5.6% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 2.6% 2.8% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 2.6% 2.8% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.6% 2.8% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
STEERING 2.6% 2.8% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 81.6% 86.0% ▲ 4.4 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1987 5

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1988 5

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
13 → 33
◆ Injuries
3 → 4