Ford Mustang: Common Problems & Reliability Guide
Real, sourced data · last reviewed 2026-08-02
Windshield Wiper Motor Cold-Weather Failure
Electrical · severity: Moderate in the specific conditions where it occurs (NHTSA's own wording: reduced visibility increases crash risk). Real-world relevance for a South African-delivered/used vehicle is likely lower than in the US market, since the defect is specifically triggered by "certain cold temperature conditions" that are uncommon across most of South Africa's climate - noted honestly rather than omitted, since this is still a real, filed federal recall regardless of how often SA conditions would trigger it. · confidence: 82/100 · 3 cited sources
Symptoms to watch for
- In cold conditions, windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting (cannot be set to low/intermittent)
- The windshield washer system may fail to function properly
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller/dealer whether recall 26C32 (NHTSA 26V418000) has been actioned on this specific vehicle, or check recall status directly via Ford's own VIN lookup
- As of this card's research date, Ford's remedy parts were not yet available (expected ~March 2027 per Ford's own filing) - an open recall at this stage is expected, not a sign of neglect
- South African recall administration is separate from the US NHTSA system this card is sourced from - confirm the equivalent SA-market recall/campaign status directly with Ford SA (0860-011-022) by VIN rather than assuming 1:1 parity with the US filing
Full repair-cost estimate, TSB/recall reference and the specific buyer negotiation tip for this issue are included in the R99 vehicle report.
This guide summarises documented, sourced findings for the Ford Mustang generally. It is not an assessment of any specific vehicle - mileage, service history and condition vary by example. A full AutoLytiQs report checks a specific listing against this data plus a live South African market valuation.