1997 Ford Mustang problems and complaints

Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Mustang. The most-reported areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (65), Power Train (35), Service Brakes (26).

Key takeaways

  • 242 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 19 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 16 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine And Engine Cooling6527%
Power Train3514%
Service Brakes2611%
Hydraulic2410%
Seat Belts219%
Parking Brake208%
Fuel System177%
Suspension177%
Gasoline135%
Unknown Or Other115%
Steering115%
Electrical System115%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
1997 Ford Mustang ConvertibleNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
1997 Ford Mustang 2-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Seats,unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2023-06-25

Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked

Steering,air Bags - filed 2019-10-01

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...

Air Bags - filed 2015-02-20

MUSTANGS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON CRASH. *TR

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More for the 1997 Ford Mustang

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.