The electrical power wires on the oem-installed fuel pump, located inside the vehicle's fuel tank, were installed so that they crossed over each other on their way from the connector outside the tank to the fuel pump inside. On three similar vehicles that we own these crossing solid core fuel pump wires came close enough to each other so as to touch. On this vehicle, however, the wires not only crossed but they touched and the wires were rigid enough that over the years they rubbed and wore away the insulation on both the red and the black electrical wires. This apparently allowed the 12 volts dc power to cross from one wire to the other, randomly bypassing the fuel pump and seriously affecting how the vehicle's engine would run. While the operational impact of this problem was a nuisance, more disturbing is the potential this installation technique has for becoming a life-threatening situation since a spark is thus possible and since the wires are inside a fuel-vapor area, instead of a liquid-filled area, anytime the vehicle has less than about half a tank of gasoline.
The worst 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine4
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine4
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP05005
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Vehicles may experience vibration/shake at steady speed approximately 100 km/h (62 mps), vehicles with 3.8...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a rattle noise from the door wedge when driving on rough roads
- Some vehicles may exhibit vibration / shake when driven on smooth roads at spped around 62 mph / 100 kph
- Some vehicles may exhibit concerns of vibration / shake
- Experiencing vibration / shake when driven on smooth roads at speed around 62 mph / 100 kph
- Some gt convertibles may experiences vibration / shake when driven on smooth roads at constant speeds...
- Some vehicles may experience vibration/shake when driven on smooth roads at constant speeds around 62...
- Some gt models may experience vibration / shake when driven on smooth roads at constant speeds around 62...
What 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1997 ford mustang gt 4.6l 8cl oil in radiator, but no water in engine. Car runs great but will run hot after a few weeks of replacing the radiator. Compression test did not show loss of compression. Mechanics are baffled because the car runs so well without missing or power loss. Further test can not prove blown head gasket. Car doesn't even smoke. Im confused, need help and hoping there is a recall.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle erupted in flames while parked for a short period of time. There were no warning indicators or problems with the vehicle prior to the incident and the vehicle was used earlier in the day. The fire department responded to the scene and determined the fire originated from under the hood in the area of some electrical wiring. The police department also responded and took a report. The insurance agency deemed the vehicle a total loss.
The plastic intake manifold on my 1997 ford mustang gt is cracked and leaking. There is a recall on other models with this engine. Is there a lawsuit recently settled on this problem? Right now the car is in my mechanics garage waiting for parts.
My 1997 mustang convertible gt, vibrates at speeds of about 60-65 MPH. Though the problem has existed for some time, after placing new tires on the vehicle (last week) I decided to do more research and found technical service bulletins consistent with my vehicle's problem.
The front seat belts in this vehicle does not lock during and emergency. Please provide any additional information.
Catastrophic failure of plastic intake manifold resulted in complete loss of engine coolant. Coolant washing over hot engine cause huge clould of steam which obscured vision for more than 30 seconds while at 65mph. Accident averted, but only lucky considering extremely heavy rush-hour traffic. Plastic manifold is mushy and friable.
My 1997 mustang has rusted through the trunk floor. The frame below is also rusting. The frame supports the rear bumper,which protects the gas tank.
Car was parked in first gear with parking break up. Car was hit with hardly any force and rolled back into another vehicle... Did not know there was a recall on this until today march 8, 2003. Also numerous times car has been in shop for check engine light...no one knows what causes it come on.. Spent $2000 so far.
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Questions about the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible
Is the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible, fewer than a typical Mustang Convertible model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible?
Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible have?
No recalls on record.
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