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

1995 vs 1996 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 371 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 59.4% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1995 593 complaints 1996 241 complaints

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 1995 share 1996 share Share change
ENGINE 51.3% 30.3% ▼ 21.0 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.0% 9.1% ▲ 6.1 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 2.4% 7.1% ▲ 4.7 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 0.7% 4.6% ▲ 3.9 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 4.1% 7.9% ▲ 3.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 3.4% 7.1% ▲ 3.7 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5.1% 2.5% ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.2% 3.7% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 2.4% 3.7% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
STEERING 3.9% 2.9% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.5% 2.5% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.2% 1.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 7.8% 7.5% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.3% 0.4% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
TIRES 1.2% 1.2% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 1.7% 1.7% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 62.7% 73.0% ▲ 10.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1995 16

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, PARKING BRAKE, STEERING, and STRUCTURE

1996 12

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, PARKING BRAKE, and STRUCTURE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
28 → 6
◆ Injuries
39 → 15