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1997 Ford Mustang problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Ford Mustang is engine and cooling, typically around 112,750 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Mustang model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
176
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
167
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18-21mpg

The worst 1997 Ford Mustang problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford Mustang

Grinding brakes 8Brake failure 7Overheating 7Stalling 5

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported October 3, 2001 · 911 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Equipment description: passenger vehicles that have had the driver's air bag module replaced after april 5, 2000. The replacement driver's air bag module inflator may have insufficient welds that could prevent proper inflation of the air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the driver's air bag may not properly deploy which could potentially result in less than the intended level of occupant protection.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's air bag module. Owner notification began october 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 01V318000 · Recall details

Parking brake: conventionalReported October 30, 2000 · 434,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. If a vehicle is parked with the parking brake not fully applied and not in first gear, as directed in the owner guide, and the self adjustment pawl subsequently skips one or two teeth, the vehicle could move on some grades.
Risk
This could result in unintended vehicle movement and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the parking brake control and install a plate or over-bracket to the control to lock the self adjust mechanism in position following adjustment.

Recall number 00V349000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Ford Mustang

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

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

Front brake hoseOpened January 11, 1999, closed June 30, 1999

There is no summary currently available

PE99002

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Ford Mustang 167

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 167 bulletins for the 1997 Ford Mustang

1997 Ford Mustang fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylRWD182721
4.6L 8‑cylRWD15-1622-2418-19

What 1997 Ford Mustang owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 25, 2023 · Engine, Seats · OK

Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked

Filed Oct 1, 2019 · Airbags, Steering · FL

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.

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Airbags · FL · crash

Mustangs driver side air bag did not deploy during head on crash.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Engine · 128,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford mustang. The contact stated that while traveling 35 MPH, a foul odor started to emit into the cabin. The contact then merged to the side of the road because he became distraught. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2010 · Engine · 150,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford mustang. The contact stated that the plastic intake manifold was cracked and causing coolant to leak. The contact believed that the failure was contributed to a design flaw. The dealer was contacted and they advised the contact that they would not service any vehicles over ten years of age. The contact stated that the intake manifold failed twice since owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2007 · Engine · 82,100 miles · MD

I have been having a problem with my 1997 ford mustang. This is a problem that has gotten progressively worse over the past few years. At first, when starting my car, the engine would turn over yet the car would immediately die. After a couple of attempts, the car would eventually start and stay started. Now, when attempting to start my car, the engine turns over yet the car dies immediately. In most cases, the car does not start until it has been serviced. It has been taken to 3 service providers (including ford), who have been unable to duplicate and/or fix the problem. Recently, ford replaced my air flow valve and sensor and just after picking the car up and driving it for about 30 minutes, I went into a store just to come out and find that my car won't start. Once started the car always continues to run with no problem. Please please help!

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Seat belts · 102,220 miles · NC · crash

1997 ford mustang passenger side seat belt will not retract, drivers side retracts about 98% of the time, 2% of the time, its rendered useless like the passenger side. Ford notified, was told it was "owner error". I don't think so.

Filed Jan 19, 2006 · Steering · 69,999 miles · CA

Tie rod failing 1997 ford mustang, VIN #[xxx], mileage to date 70,000. *jb updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 20, 2005 · Seat belts · 98,000 miles · KY

Seat belts on driver's side failed about 2 years ago and were replace dwith one from junk yard. Now the one on the passenger side is locked up (belt won't extend). This is on a 1997 ford mustang v-6.

Filed Nov 26, 2004 · Engine · 105,600 miles · NC

Excessive rattling..rough idle..while engine is running..a slight "humming" can be heard over the dual exhaust..nothing major has happened as of yet.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1997 Ford Mustang before you buy

Compare the 1997 Ford Mustang

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1997 Ford Mustang

Is the 1997 Ford Mustang reliable?

Owners have filed 176 complaints about the 1997 Ford Mustang, fewer than a typical Mustang model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Mustang?

Engine and cooling, with 40 complaints, typically around 112,750 miles. Next is brakes (35).

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Mustang have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and parking brake.

What year does the Ford Mustang have bad engine?

The Ford Mustang model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (341 complaints), 1994 (162 complaints) and 1996 (84 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Mustang get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Ford Mustang range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 27 highway.

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