1998 Ford Mustang cobra problems

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The Ford SVT Mustang Cobra (also known as "SVT Mustang Cobra, SVT Cobra," or simply as "Cobra") is a pony car that was built by American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company's Special Vehicle Team division (or SVT) for the 1993 to 2004 model years.

The SVT Cobra was a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang and was considered the top-of-the-line variant, being positioned above the Mustang GT and Mach 1 models during its production run. On three occasions, the race-ready, street-legal SVT Cobra R variant was produced in limited numbers.

The SVT Cobra was succeeded by the Mustang Shelby GT500 which was introduced for the 2007 model year.

1998 Ford Mustang cobra

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Common 1998 Ford Mustang cobra problems

The 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra, also known as the SN95, is a high-performance car with a powerful 4.6L DOHC V8 engine that produces 305 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. While this car is known for its performance and style, it has some common problems that owners have reported.

One of the most common issues with the 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra is the cooling system, particularly for the 1996 models. Some owners have reported cooling issues, which were addressed by Ford through a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). It is essential to verify if the cooling issue was fixed by Ford, especially if you are considering purchasing a 1996 Cobra.

Another common issue with the 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra is related to the engine oil. Some owners have reported that Ford instructs owners to use less oil in the engine than is required, leading to many spinning a rod towards the rear of the engine. This issue is particularly concerning because it can cause significant damage to the motor. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to use the correct amount of oil specified by the manufacturer, which is typically 5 quarts for the 1998 Cobra.

It is also essential to check the oil level regularly and look for signs of excessive wear on the rod bearings or main bearings. If the car was run low on oil, it may still be possible to detect excessive wear on the bearings, even if there is no knocking sound. A compression test or a leak-down test can help detect any issues with the bearings.

In addition to these issues, the 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra has some other common problems, such as:

  • Paint issues: The paint on the 1998 Cobra is known to have some problems, particularly on white cars. The paint can bubble and flake off, even if it is waxed regularly.
  • Headlight fogging: The headlights on the 1998 Cobra can fog up, but flitzing them can help clear them up. Some owners have also installed glass projector units to improve the lighting.
  • Filler neck rubber grommet: The filler neck rubber grommet on the 1998 Cobra can go bad and leak fuel, especially after 3+ years of age. Every Mustang owner has reported needing to replace this grommet at some point.
  • Turn signal/wiper multi switch: The turn signal/wiper multi switch on the 1998 Cobra can go bad after a couple of years due to wires pinching and cutting. This switch is cheap and easy to replace.
  • Cables from the fuse box and battery: The cables from the fuse box and battery on the 1998 Cobra can corrode, but they are also cheap and easy to replace.
  • Seats: The seats on the 1998 Cobra can have some issues, such as wrinkling, cracking, and fading. The leather can also stain easily, and the seatbelts can get stuck and not retract properly.

In summary, the 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra is a powerful and stylish car, but it has some common problems that owners should be aware of. These issues include cooling problems, engine oil issues, paint issues, headlight fogging, filler neck rubber grommet leaks, turn signal/wiper multi switch failures, corroded cables, and seat problems. It is essential to check these issues before purchasing a 1998 Cobra and to maintain the car properly to avoid any significant problems.

1998 Ford Mustang cobra engine

How much is a 1998 Cobra worth?

The value of a used 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra ranges from $128 to $362, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

Are 1998 Mustangs reliable?

The 1998 Ford Mustang Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5. It ranks 21st out of 32 for all car brands.

Are sn95 cobras reliable?

SN95s are certainly very reliable cars. We all know that a well-maintained 5.0 can run forever, but the 4.6 has proven to be just as reliable in most cases. There are plenty of SN95s out there with hundreds of thousands of miles that still run great. There's even one that's pushing half a million miles!

How many 1998 Mustang Cobras were made?

1998 Ford Mustang Cobra

BlackTotal
Black Leather13443782
Saddle Cloth217
Saddle Leather3561341
Total17085174

Are 1998 Mustangs reliable?

The 1998 Ford Mustang Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5. It ranks 21st out of 32 for all car brands.

How much is a 1998 Cobra worth?

The value of a used 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra ranges from $128 to $362, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

Are sn95 cobras reliable?

SN95s are certainly very reliable cars. We all know that a well-maintained 5.0 can run forever, but the 4.6 has proven to be just as reliable in most cases. There are plenty of SN95s out there with hundreds of thousands of miles that still run great. There's even one that's pushing half a million miles!

How many 1998 Mustang Cobras were made?

1998 Ford Mustang Cobra

BlackTotal
Black Leather13443782
Saddle Cloth217
Saddle Leather3561341
Total17085174

1998 Ford Mustang cobra complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Ford Mustang cobra.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1998 Ford Mustang cobra problems:

96-98 Cobra Common Issues | SVTPerformance.com
96-98 Cobra Common Issues | SVTPerformance.com
https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/96-98-cobra-common-issues.608773/

Jun 8, 2009 ... SN-95 is the chassis designation and I think that all Mustangs from 1994 through 2004 were all actually built on the same platform, just ...

96-98 Cobra common problems? | Mustang Forums at StangNet
96-98 Cobra common problems? | Mustang Forums at StangNet
https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/96-98-cobra-common-problems.400666/

Dec 10, 2003 ... Common problems in no particular order: Getting pulled over for racing. Getting Speeding Tickets Spending a fortune on Tires

What do you look for when purchasing a 96-98 Cobra ...
What do you look for when purchasing a 96-98 Cobra ...
https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/what-do-you-look-for-when-purchasing-a-96-98-cobra.978249/

Nov 20, 2013 ... Most convertible mustangs ... Ford had a TSB for the problem but never a recall. ... Now that I think about it, nearly 90% of the common problems ...

96-98 cobra... school me... | Ford Mustang Forums
96-98 cobra... school me... | Ford Mustang Forums
https://www.corral.net/threads/96-98-cobra-school-me.1910506/

Dec 26, 2014 ... later down the road it may be modded but that means nothing for the next year's to come. I'm used to reliability of the 5.0l... can I expect the ...

1998 Ford Mustang Problems and Complaints - 11 Issues
1998 Ford Mustang Problems and Complaints - 11 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1998-ford-mustang/problems

Top 1998 Ford Mustang Problems · Squeaking noise while turning due to worn outer tie rod ends · Squeaking noise while turning due to worn outer tie rod ends.

Other years of Ford Mustang cobra

ford mustang cobra 1999 photo
Mustang cobra 1999
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ford mustang cobra 1997 photo
Mustang cobra 1997
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ford mustang cobra 1998 photo
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