All cars - from Rolls Royce and Ferrari to the cheapest import - will eventually need items replaced, including the standard stuff such as exhaust, tires, batteries, belts, brake pads and so on. This is normal 'wear and tear' and I don't count these items as anything you can chalk up to poor quality - unless they wear our way ahead of time.
That said; in my experience I've had next to no problems with my '90 LX over the eleven years (and 105,000 miles) I've owned it.
Nothing was replaced due to a problem with quality and things like a rotted out radiator were due to my living in the northeast, using my Mustang 12 months of the year and having to drive on salted roads (which kicks up and eventually rots out metal, like my radiator).
I had to replace the door lock actuators a few years ago and my T-5 synchros are a little tired so the trans will have to be rebuilt or replaced eventually, but again, like my clutch replacement (at 87,000 miles), that is normal wear, not a quality issue.
As a rule, 5.0 Mustangs tend to develop a rear seal leak and some have problems with various electrical items such as lights and switches. I haven't, but that could just be chance. Outside door handles sometimes break off, too. A lot of minor things can go bad.
I did need the air-bag clock switch replaced (under warranty) and a factory-installed disc brake pad was installed crooked and wore out at 27,000 miles but other than that, my experience has been one of almost trouble-free driving with my 'Stang, and yes, I race it, but not often. I also drove it off the lot when it was brand new and have done extensive maintenance over the years, which pays off. My mods are minor and don't affect normal wear (rear gears, subs, exhaust, things like that).
I believe a lot of Mustang problems stem from simple neglect and lack of proper maintainance, not a lack of quality.
Since most older 'Stangs on the market now have had two or three or more owners, this can be a problem in some cases and you can buy a poorly-maintained (but good-looking) Mustang and be the victim of years of neglect or just shoddy repairs that come back to haunt you - the unlucky buyer. It happens, and then that unlucky owner posts here that Mustangs are junk because his had this, that and the other go bad and has cost him a bundle and ruined his original joy of ownership. I hate when that happens.
My advice is to be very careful with what you buy used and pay to have a knowledgable mechanic put the car on a lift and really check it out for possible problems.
A neglected car is usually easy to tell, no matter how shiny the finish may be. So is a car that has beeen wrecked and repaired.
Buying a Mustang someone else has modified is also a risk, unless you know for a fact the person who did the mods was a dead-on sharp guy who knew what he was doing and had the knowledge and tools to do it right. That's rare.
I would readily recommend a Mustang to anyone, but as with all used cars, it's somewhat of a risk and nothing is guaranteed.
Overall, they are good quality vehicles and hold up quite well. Besides, parts are readily available and fairly cheap.
Good luck.
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