Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Dt: when making a right turn at a speed of about 20-25 MPH the steering wheel kept turning but the wheels were not moving. This was the first time anything like this happened. This caused the consumer to hit a parked car. The car was extensively damaged, but has not been totaled by the insurance company. Insurance company instructed a mechanic to inspect the steering wheel, it was noted there was problem with the shaft which broke and therefore caused the accident. The mechanic said he had never seen anything like this before. It was noted by the mechanic, and the insurance company as a defective steering on the car involving the shaft. Mechanic said he must repair vehicle to determine if there was other issues within the steering or suspension. As of yet no repairs have been made. …
<page 3> I've also seeked legal advice, and they advised me that I was frauded, and that I do have a case, however they couldn't further assist me due to the fact my insurance company paid off my loan on the vehicle, and that the vehicle is no longer in my possession. Now that everything has been said, my question to you is, is there anything that I can further do as a consumer??? Please advise. Thank you for your assistance, iva d. Oklobdzija . Most ofour comments are missing.
I was involved in a very bizarre accident. On August 10, 2004 at 8:30 am, I was going to work using the highway I regularly use everyday, highway one in pacifica, california, located four blocks from my home. Weather conditions were normal. As I was getting onto the highway entrance, going no more than twenty miles per hour, and as I made my way down the ramp a few inches, my car started swaying back and forth. Pulling me right, and then to the left. I was not distracted, preoccupied, nor on a cell phone. I was looking at the road straight ahead. I tried to stear the car, but it kept shifting from side to side, causing me to fall off the ramp and Land onto the traffic going the same direction I was headed (north). One car ended up hitting me. The police was already on the highway so they immediately came to the scene. …
<page 2 > my life, as well as another human beings life could have been at stake due to someone wanting to make some money. Thank god the party involved and myself came out of this ordeal with just minor bruising. I am a twenty-one year old well-educated woman with a responsible job profile, and a clean record. I have never violated the law, therefore all that has happened is hard to take. From the start, I requested my insurance to take the claim more seriously, and for an intense investigation to take place on the vehicle, since this was a bizarre accident with no known cause, and even with the chp forming an opinion on assumptions, I was not at fault for this accident, and was not charged with careless driving, or any other traffic infraction. Since what I requested did not occur, I am dissatisfied with the way this was conducted. …
There has been a significant loss in steering stability. Everything from the power steering pump to the rack and pinion show no signs of leaking. I've had the ps lines replaced as well as the ps pump, because if the lack of stability and the problem still persists. Ps fluid has been replaced and bled. And the pump is still very loud (it was always loud, the new pump is the same way. But that's more annoying than a safely concern). I'll be driving down the street and on the highway and the car will suddenly veer to the left or right. Car has new tires and has been aligned recently.
Driving at 40 MPH started into turn but not yet turning the steering wheel the tires locked up and steering wheel locked up for no apparent reason. The car viered off the road and into a farmers field. I was only bruised but the car is damaged. Ford service rep. Is stating the car is showing no faulty codes. The brakes had been replaced under warranty just three weeks earlier and the car would not start for no apparent reason back in July and August finally fixed they replaced the starter (Ford)
Unable to turn steering wheel in a brake and steer situation. Steering works as expected, until pressure is applied at the same time steering is needed in a panic evasive stop. No accident has occurred. Dealer claims this is normal since all of the vehicles checked do the same. Would like not to have name released do to employment reasons.
In dry driving condition the driver's steering wheel pulled left and then quickly to the right. The driver compensated to the left and then tried to turn the wheel back to the right to straighten the vehicle out, but the steering wheel would not turn and went off the road and collided with a stand of trees in the median. The car was totaled.
The stalling problem is a major safety hazard. The car stalls when the brake pedal is depressed (in neutral gear). The power steering and power brakes also lose power, causing me to do whatever not to crash. I know of other mustangs noticing the same problem. My car was serviced at the dealer for this specific problem, but failed to fix it.
I apply brakes, one front brake locks and steering pulls very hard to the left or right, so hard that it will almost pull the steering wheel out of your hand. The steering also locks and I can not steer the automobile. I have to release the brakes to regain control of the steering and release the locked brake.
Related recalls
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and Mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears May have damaged input shaft bearings.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range.
Steering complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Ford Mustang, 8% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Mustang steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-165 (shaft sector, Sep 30, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Mustang steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.