The 1996 Ford Mustang is a small car that came with a choice of 3.8L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl engines. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 15–18 city / 22–27 highway / 18–21 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,200–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 423–494 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 5 configurations |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1996 Ford Mustang. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Equipment description: passenger vehicles that have had the driver's air bag module replaced after april 5, 2000. The replacement driver's air bag module inflator may have insufficient welds that could prevent proper inflation of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's air bag may not properly deploy which could potentially result in less than the intended level of occupant protection.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. If a vehicle is parked with the parking brake not fully applied and not in first gear, as directed in the owner guide, and the self adjustment pawl subsequently skips one or two teeth, the vehicle could move on some grades.
Risk: This could result in unintended vehicle movement and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans. Tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. Air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.
Risk: This condition can result in total separation of the outer hood panel.
Owners have filed 254 complaints about the 1996 Ford Mustang with NHTSA. 18 reports involved a crash and 6 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 16 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 151 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Ford Mustang. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Intermittent loss of power or crank no start - possible pats lamp flashing and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) u1147 and/or u1262. *tt
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip. *tt
Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application. *mj
Vehicles may experience vibration/shake at steady speed approximately 100 km/h (62 mps), vehicles with 3.8 l engine and convertible top. *mjs
Some vehicles may exhibit a rattle noise from the door wedge when driving on rough roads. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 1996 Ford Mustang.
Front brake hose
There is no summary currently available
Outer hood panel detachment
There is no summary currently available
Outer hood panel detachment
The office of defects investigation has received 6 reports indicating the outer hood panel separated from the vehicles as they were being driven.Ford has provide 39 additional reports that are consistent with odi reports.Ford indicates that the likely cause is prior collision damage.this investigation is being upgraded
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Mustangs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Ford Mustang; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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