Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The first time the car just quite on the highway while driving in rush hour traffic while we were on vacation. The second time it lost power and was starting very hard (10 to 15 sec. To start). Both times it was loss of fuel pressure and needed a fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump its self was fine, but a small clear flexible hose that attaches from the fuel pump/basket assembly in the gas tank to the lid that bolts on the top of the gas tank rubs against various parts inside the gas tank and wears a hole in it. Since this estimated $2 item cannot be purchased separately I was forced to spend hundreds of dollars on the whole assembly. The mechanics at the dealership explained to me that 90% of the "fuel pump failures" have had nothing to really due with the fuel pump. It was either the hose inside the gas tank rubbing through or the wires inside rubbing through. …
We took our 1998 6 cylinder Mustang in for an oil change. It has about 90,000 miles on it. We were told that it is leaking fuel and that it is a safety hazard. We now have to spend $1000 to replace the fuel rail, both valve gaskets, valve cover gaskets and fuel injector o rings. Plus a significant amount on labor. We were told that our car/engine will catch fire, if we do not replace these parts. This is my daughter who is in college's car. How can they have such a horrible design and if we replace the parts is this going to be repeated? The other issue is that there was no warning from an engine light or anything else. The technician checked it because when he looked under the hood, he thought he smelled gas and then found the leak. We hadn't noticed a leak. My daughter could have been killed driving back to school this week.
I hit a tree after driving off the road and the car became ingulfed in flames and soon burned the car to nuthing but straight metal loss of everything even rims were melted and windows too all that was left was hard metal surfaces I was almost burned alive plus the airbags deployed to late and my head actually impacted the steering wheel breaking my nose and splitting my forehead open and almost lost my left eye due to the impact the seatbelt worked too good it sperated my left shoulder and broke my collar bone stretching all my tendons in my left shoulder breaking my clavical and shoulder blade.
While fueling car...gas poured out of car..caused by damaged "o" ring around fueling nozzle from neck to tank...significant fuel spill...dangerous amount of fuel lost and leaking...have owned several vehicles....never have known this to happen...hazard to area while fueling due to fuel spill. Went to dealership 3 times in order to receive the correct part for replacement. Potential fire hazard-if not explosion capability if ignited while fueling. Perhaps a design flaw in the ""o" ring. Purchased car in 1998,, wonders...should this part have worn out in this manner?
The fuel filler neck grommet is leaking. According to Ford, it's a common problem, but...it causes a gasoline leak if I try to fill it over about 3/8 tank, and throws gas out, when I make a left turn. This is a fire/explosion waiting to happen. Ford should have to replace these with grommets that do not break down.
My husband I purchased a 1998 rouch Mustang gt. The conversion kit includes side pipes, computer chip, different suspension, and some things im not sure of. I have been having problems with raw fuel smell coming into cab of car. It get's very bad. It only happens when it is 85 degrees or above. And only happens randemly. One day while driving my daughter from school, fuel smell came into cab. Daughter and I gaged. Pulled over and shut car off. Took car to dealer, they said they were waiting for new fuel line from the roush company. I was told that the rouch cars needed different fuel line then that of the manufacturer. They said they fixed the problem. Then my husband and I were going to daytona. It happened again. Pulled into dealership shut car off with windows down. Ten to fifteen minutes gone by before george nagel the service manager sat in it. He kept car do to he smell of fuel. …
Intake manifold is cracked in the exact same place on the exact same part that had recalls the two previous years. Recall number 97m91. I called Ford and they said my VIN isn't covered. Obviously, whatever they did to "fix" the problem didn't work. There are also select VIN's that are covered for the exact same problem in my year car. Why would they only replace certain manifolds? They could have had left over intakes from the previous years faulty batch that they installed on various cars from my year, and think they will get away with not replacing it because my VIN isn't showing up as made in factory "x" which had faulty parts made from a bad casting. Curiously, the intakes from the two previous years have a 7 year no-questions-asked replacment program going on for the same car, same model, same engine. What did Ford do to alleviate the problem for my year car? My guess is nothing. …
Vehicle only had 4500 miles on on the odometer when I detected a fuel leak. The fuel was dripping out of the gas tank where the filler pipe connected to the tank. I was on vacation and had just driven the vehicle about 2000 miles from ohio to florida an explosion could have occured if the vehicle would have encountered any sparks or a cigarette was discarded. The vehicle was taken to a dealership in homestead, florida where it remained overnight. The dealership stated that this vehicle was the third vehicle they encountered leaking fuel that week. I contacted the manufacturer however no recall has been issued. This is a very dangerous situation that can cause fatalities or serious injury. I would like Ford to reimburse me for the rental car that I obtained and take this vehicle back because I do not feel that it is safe. …
While traveling at 70 MPH the vehicle lost power, forcing an emergency exit from the highway. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dearlership and we were advised that a technical service bulletin had been issued advising dealers that there was a problem with a wax ring in the fuel system that was breaking apart and the wax pieces were lodging in the fuel pump casing the car to lose power. No recalls had been issued because we were told the cars were all still under warranty.
1. Convertible roof was out of alignment when car was received, .25# gaps between seals of front section of folding roof. 2. Harsh noise was heard when braking and turning, diagnosed to be "water dripping on exhaust pipe" by dealer(?!!) A/C also not strong-possibly replaced (never fully told) brake shoes/pads also worked on. 3. While driving on highway, going uphill, car began slowing down, pulled onto shoulder as car stopped. Diagnosed as fuel pump failure.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 4.6l engines. Some of these vehicles has missing or inadequate braze joints between the fuel rail body and the fuel rail mounting bracket(s).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail on these vehicles.
Fuel System complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Ford Mustang, 11% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Mustang fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-216 (fuel injection system, Nov 24, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Mustang fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.