no report yet
Driver side: inflator module
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.
1997 Ford MustangProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 176 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Mustang, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 25, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Ford Mustang has problems
176 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
29Power train3 crash/fire/injury
19Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
19Seat belts4 crash/fire/injury
15Parking brake3 crash/fire/injury
14Suspension
12Fuel system, gasoline
8Steering
8Electrical system
4613 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 38 | 1 |
| Power train | 29 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 19 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 19 | 4 |
| Parking brake | 15 | 3 |
| Suspension | 14 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 12 | 1 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 46 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Ford Mustang recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Parking brake: conventional
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Mustang year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mustang median. How we score
21300000203040151816303810810985776910135660224617623621331117311814511670542461534718126146647027135943938026919715312255511585208
'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Ford Mustang safety ratings
1997 Ford Mustang Convertible in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford Mustang, and the recalls they led to.
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADNo recall
- FRONT BRAKE HOSENo recall
In owners' words
What Mustang owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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.*AK
Own a 1997 Mustang?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.