1997 Ford MUSTANG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
102 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,110 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 102 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 18.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
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:Engine | 12 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 11 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 12; Parking Brake:Conventional: 11; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 6; Air Bags: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 90 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 | 31 |
| 2001 | 35 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 31; 2001: 35; 2002: 15; 2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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 10057805 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
THE CRUISE CONTROL SELF ACTIVATED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *PH DURING THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551874 · 2000-04-14 (April 14, 2000)
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 562959 · 2001-09-06 (September 6, 2001)
VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHILE PARKED IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BRAKE UP AS PER OWNERS MANUAL, POSSIBLY PARKING BRAKE FAILURE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728651 · 2000-08-22 (August 22, 2000)
TRANSMISSION GRINDS GOING INTO 2ND GEAR AND POPS OUT OF REVERSE ALMOST ALL COBRA OWNERS I HAVE TALKED WITH HAS THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE T-45 TRANSMISSION DEALER CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO NO FIX IS POSSIBLE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063641 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
THE RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE FUEL TANK SPLIT CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL SPILL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068042 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
1. GAS LEAKED BADLY FROM THE TOP OF GAS TANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL AT THE GAS STATION. . TANK CAN EXPLODE IF THERE IS ANY SPARK AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE WHOLE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS SUITATION FOR THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. MAY CAUSE FIRE AND MAJOR CATASTROPH FOR ALL THE SURROUNDINGS. 3. THE JOUNT BETWEEN THE FILL LINE AND THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THE JOUNT WAS RE-WELDED AT THE DEALER SHOP AND THE LEAK STOPPED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265433 · 2019-10-01 (October 1, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRACKED IN THE LOCATION OF THE HORN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO BECOME EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11265433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528744 · 2023-06-25 (June 25, 2023)
Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865891 · 2000-07-24 (July 24, 2000)
VEHICLE BROKE DOWN FROM ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99B29. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TIMING GASKET COVER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737996 · 2000-12-19 (December 19, 2000)
A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1987-1993 MUSTANG GT'S, WHEN DRIVING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON, THE WIRING AT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CAN NOT HANDLE THE POWER, AND WILL MELT DOWN CAUSING A POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE. THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS CARRY A PLUG AND PIGTAIL FOR THESE VEHICLES. HERE WE HAVE A 1997 MUSTANG GT, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON THE WIRING AT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OVERHEATED , MELTING THE PLUG TO THE HEADLAMP SWITCH. ALSO I NOTICED BURN RESIDUE ON THE SWITCH ITSELF. BEING AWARE OF THE PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737996 at NHTSA ↗