1997 Ford MUSTANG GT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
85,101 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 23 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Parking Brake:Conventional: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10081941 · 2004-07-14 (July 14, 2004)
VEHICLE'S ENGINE STARTED RACING AND BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND TO STOP VEHICLE.*MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC WHO DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CONSUMER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANYMORE PROBLEMS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10081941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098450 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING IN A 55 MPH ZONE, I ATTEMPTED TO SET MY CRUISE CONTROL. I DID THIS SUCCESSFULLY. HOWEVER, ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS IF THE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED. AFTER I REALIZED THIS, I PUMPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE C/C. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF PUMPING THE BRAKES TO RELEASE CONTROL. ONCE DONE, I WAS TOO PARANOID TO TRY USING THE C/C UNTIL RECENTLY. I DECIDED TO TRY IT WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND IN A 35 MPH ZONE ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. THE CRUISE CONTROL SIMPLY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I TOOK IT TO AN ASE CERTIFIED S…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433866 · 2011-11-01 (November 1, 2011)
AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 15MPH, I HEARD A LOUD POP/CRACK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CHANGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO TURN IN A 360 DEGREE ROTATION WITH NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. AT THIS TIME I FELT SOMETHING HIT MY SHOE FROM ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL AND I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING HAD BROKE CAUSING ME TO HAVE ABSOLUTE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. AFTE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10433866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061989 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
ON 2/3/04 I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ON MY 1997 FORD MUSTANG GT. I THEN DROVE 2-3 MILES TO WORK. ON THE WAY TO WORK I SMELLED A GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY OFFICE THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG. UPON EXITING MY CAR I SAW GASOLINE STREAMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO GWINNETT PLACE FORD. THEY CALLED BACK AND TOLD ME THAT THE GROMMET WHERE THE FILLER NECK ENTERS THE GAS TANK HAD DRY ROTTED AND FAILED. THIS REPAIR COST OVER $300 EXCLUDING TOWING. HAD SOMEONE BEHIND MY CAR TOSSED OUT A CIGARETT…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,397 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061989 at NHTSA ↗