FordMustang1991Overview/ford/mustang/1991/base/

1991 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Mustang.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1991 Ford Mustang is classified as a passenger car and carries a 5.0-quart engine oil capacity with a 5W-30 API viscosity specification, giving researchers a clear maintenance baseline for the model year. Its reliability profile records 96 owner complaints across six recalls, with the Electrical System standing out as the top complaint area. Set against the 1990–2026 Mustang complaint span, the 1991 model's 96 complaints fall well below the 2005 high of 868 and above the 2026 low of 4, marking it as a relatively low-complaint year in the model's documented history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1106 alt RT1052

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.5 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2765 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 1999 GT Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992LX Coupe 5.0L V86.20 sec14.80 sec225 hpRWD
1989LX Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V86.20 sec14.80 sec225 hpRWD
1989GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V87.16 sec15.60 sec225 hpRWD
1988GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V86.40 sec15.00 sec225 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.10 sec14.90 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.70 sec15.10 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.70 sec15.20 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.90 sec15.40 sec215 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1990 the Mustang logged 114 complaints and 5 recalls, whereas in 1991 complaints fell to 96 and recalls rose to 6. The following year, 1992, complaints dropped further to 78 with recalls returning to 5, and in 1993 complaints jumped to 132 while recalls increased to 7. Over these years the complaint count shows a downward trend from 1990 through 1992 followed by a sharp increase in 1993, while recall numbers remain relatively stable, fluctuating between five and seven per year. Thus the 1991 model year sits at the low‑complaint end of the improving phase but carries a marginally higher recall count than its immediate neighbors. Consequently, a 1991 Mustang can be a sound purchase provided any outstanding recall work has been completed, as its complaint frequency is favorable relative to the surrounding years.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
96
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 25 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 96 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System34
Power Train10
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Air Bags6
Seats5
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Seat Belts3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
011562001-08-06VisibilitySOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
002412000-11-27Power TrainSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION THAT MAY BE HEARD OF FELT AT THE CLUTCH PEDAL…
0023102000-11-13Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mustang. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Mustang take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.