Ford Mustang Cobra 1999

Model Mustang Cobra made in 1999 by Ford got 16 consumer complains, 3 investigations there is 1 recall as well as 19 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling and parking brake. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, power train and suspension. The car had one investigation (engine and engine cooling). There was one recall concerning suspension .

Model 1999

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
01V121000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 11/02/1998 to 08/28/2000V (Vehicle)810004/19/2001MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY04/11/200104/24/2001
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. if the ball joint assembly in the rear knuckle, where the lower control arm attaches, is displaced longitudinally from its installed position, it can cause higher stress levels in the knuckle casting. if this occurs, the casting could fracture, allowing the corner of the vehicle to drop, and the lower control arm could contact the inside of the rear wheel.
Consequence SummaryIn some cases, directional control of the vehicle could be reduced.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace both rear suspension knuckles. owner notification began april 19, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
NotesAlso contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
1395003/01/2001620287Some vehicles with manual transmission or with automatic transmission may exhibit a front end accessory drive (fead) belt that has become broken or frayed and / or detach from the engine. *tt07/24/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
1330210/01/19996092126Some vehicles may exhibit a no crank condition. *tt11/27/2000
827804/01/2000613630Some vehicles equipped with manual transmission and with automatic transmission may exhibit a front end accessory drive (fead) belt that has become broken or frayed and / or detach from the engine. *tt07/26/2000
810602/01/2000612305Some vehicles may exhibit a no crank condition. *tt06/07/2000
99B2701/01/2000610226Owner complaints regarding engine performance. *tt04/21/2000
723610/01/19996090814Experiencing a no crank condition. *tt03/30/2000
1280306/01/1999606877Concerns with a vibration condition between 1800 - 2300 rpm. *tt09/07/1999
638806/01/1999606815Customer may express concerns about a vibration condition between 1800 and 2300 rpm. *tt09/02/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1395003/01/2000612936Some vehicles equipped with manual transmission and with automatic transmission may exhibit a front end accessory drive (fead) belt that has become broken or frayed and / or detach from the engine. *tt06/14/2000
827803/01/2000612717Some vehicles with manual and automatic transmissions may exhibit a front end accessory drive (fead) belt that has become broken or frayed and / or detached from the engine. *tt06/12/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CSP-08B0105/16/200810026389Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission warranty refund. *pe10/23/2008
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
1286906/01/19996092029Information on checking driveshaft run out. *tt11/17/2000
1283106/01/19996092002Information on checking driveshaft run out. *tt11/17/2000
SUSPENSION
664107/01/1999610716Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration at highway speeds at 68 mph. *tt05/11/2000
SUSPENSION - REAR
853004/01/2000613661Some vehicles may exhibit a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle near the sway bar. **mr07/26/2000
754904/01/2000613609Some vehicles may exhibit a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle near the sway bar. **mr07/26/2000
754903/01/2000612658Some vehicles may exhibit a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle near the sway bar. *tt06/12/2000
1352411/01/1999610912Some vehicles may exhibit a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle near the sway bar. this condition is most often noted during a quick lane change or while driving slowly up an incline (i.e., driveway). *tt05/18/2000
WHEELS
616305/01/1999606995Subject pertaining to wheel balance. *tt09/09/1999

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/200501/04/2006SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
 On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
DP05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/200501/04/2006SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
 On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
DP05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/200501/04/2006SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
 On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
08/06/2005418001
 A spark plug blew in my 99 mustang cobra. it only has 41,800 miles. the spark plugs were last changed 3 years ago. i have not had it repaired yet. the threads are stripped and the ignition coil was destroyed. i bought a new ignition coil at an auto parts store. *nm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
04/27/2004643001
 Purchased a used 1999 ford mustang cobra svt with 29,000 miles on the odometer. since owning the car, i had several problems such as faulty chasis wiring system, car shutdown when hot and would not restart, faulty iac valve and throttle position sensor had to be replaced, no back-up lights due to manual transmission reverse switch failure, and brake lights switch failure. at approximately 55,000 miles i had noticed the car had ran low on coolant and excessive oil consumption between oil change intervals. the check engine light began to illuminate at 58,000 miles along with blue smoke emanating from the dual exhaust. my mechanic replaced both the iac valve and throttle position sensor citing the blue smoke was attributed to a rich idle condition. a few months later, the check engine light returned. an exhaust leak was detected and corrected at the exhaust manifold and header connection point. the check engine light went away, however, the rich idle condition remained. at a little over 64,000 while driving home from work the car suddenly stopped in the middle of city traffic. when i restarted the car, a loud noise came from under-the-hood not unlike the sound of a thrown rod. i had the mustang towed to my mechanic whom determined from the 3.5 quarts of oil sludge recovered from the engine, and the milk like fluid in the valve cover pan, the vehicle head gasket failure was the most probable cause of the event. although the vehicle is out of warranty, i intend to approach ford motor company for some level of relief since i am now convinced the head gasket failure was a systemic engine problem during the 1980's and 1990's. *ak
28000211/02/1999
 Front end shook due to defectiv eball joints, and blue smoke came out of the tail pipe. *ak
PARKING BRAKE - CONVENTIONAL
01/05/2001110/05/1999
 Consumer received recall 00v349, when the vehicle was taken for recall repairs, the consumer dropped it off, when picking the vehicle up, the dealer stated that they ran out of parts and it would be an additional delay. *slc
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
03/08/200145000603/09/1996
 96 cobra, i have had the transmission either worked on or replaced 6 times. it went in the shop for it's second new transmission and it took two transmissions before i got it back. from talking with other owners this is a common problem in the cobra's with the t-45 transmission. *jb
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - RETRACTOR
06/30/200542000106/30/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the passenger's side seat belt retractor will not pull out. the vehicle was taken to the dealership which determined the seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. the manufacturer has been alerted, no repairs were made.
04/12/2005490002
 The seat belt front retractor on our 1999 ford mustang cobra is not functioning properly. it had happend about 1 year and 3 months ago and the ford dealership had fixed it at no cost that time. now it is not functioning again. i have called ford motor company and the ford dealership both which are telling us that it is out of warranty and will be at our cost. this is a problem due to being part of the safety restraint of the vehicle, and should be fixed at no charge. it was not fixed properly the first time and ford should take care the issue.
06/06/200340000103/31/1999
 Hello, tsb 99s26 states that there is a recall on the saftey belt retractor on the 1999 ford mustang cobra. i have had the drivers side repaired at my cost then found this recall note. however the dealer and ford both clain that this is not a recall for my particular vin#. i find this hard to believe as now the passenger side seat belt retractor is not working. is there a way to find out if my car is covered by this safety issue? ford and the dealer state that they do not show anything and that this is the department that can help out.thank you for your time. john miller. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
08/20/2001
 Consumer picked vehicle up after nhtsa recall 01v121000/ manufacturer's recall #01s15 repairs were completed. driving vehicle home consumer noticed that when accelerating after letting up on the clutch vehicle swayed left and right. dealer was refusing to fix vehicle because it had nothing to do with recall work. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
09/01/20074165105/01/1999
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford mustang cobra. while driving 10 mph, the front driver side of the vehicle collapsed onto the front tire. the dealer stated that the lock nut that held the front wheel spindle assembly detached because it was improperly tightened and fell off . the dealer replaced the front lower ball joint assembly. the failure mileage was 4,165 and current mileage was 4,170. updated 12/12/2007 *bf
28000211/02/1999
 Front end shook due to defectiv eball joints, and blue smoke came out of the tail pipe. *ak
3
 The consumer is not satisfied with the number of recalls the vehicle has been plagued with. nlm
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT
28000211/02/1999
 Front end shook due to defectiv eball joints, and blue smoke came out of the tail pipe. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
08/04/2009740001
 While driving the metal piece holding the driver side shock absorber tore away from the wall it was mounted to. the piece then tore into the inner wheel well cutting it like ribbon. the damage was apparently caused by hitting a bump in rough road but there was no single hit of a large pot hole. just normal driving. *tr
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
05/11/20081168001
 High idle speed after using the cruise control on 5.11.2008. the problem has been on-going without the use of the cruise control. the cruise control cable was soon detached and the condition disappeared. the idle is now fine,but cannot use the cruise control because the condition will return. the problem is quite similar to the ford recall number 99v-062.001, but after contacting ford service line on 5.25.2008, i was told my vehicle (1999 ford mustang cobra 4.6 4vdohc) was not included in the recall. *tr
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL
03/01/2004120005
 Accelerator sticking wot on carpet on 1999 mustang cobra coupe. don't have a specific date. car was traded. i thought it was specific to my car. i broke 3 accelerator pedals during the warranty period. i thought the pedal was just cheap. now realize the carpet being torn was due to pedal and not me based on some of the information i have seen on the net.

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CALOS GATOS95032SWANSON FORD1-408-356-2101
GADULUTH30096GWINNETT PLACE FORD
INSEYMOUR47274BOB POYNTER FORD