Most common 1997 Ford Mustang problems
Share of the 208 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Mustang complaints by model year
Best Mustang years: 2023, 2025, 2021. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2005. Compare all years →
1997 Ford Mustang recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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…
Parking brake › Conventional
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 Ford Mustang:
Front brake hose
There is no summary currently available
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…
What 1997 Ford Mustang owners say
Engine & cooling all 60 →
My emergency brake fails when enganged and the brakes are properly adjusted.the e-brake pops loose causing the car to roll even in 1st gear.I have been ran over by the failure and the car was sold to me by duval Ford and they told me they wouldn't fix beacause of the 131,000 miles but they certified the car as perfect for sale.not to include the rear end needed rebuilt the intake was cracked and leaked into the cylinder causing the rod to spin a bearing.
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.
Brakes all 38 →
My emergency brake fails when enganged and the brakes are properly adjusted.the e-brake pops loose causing the car to roll even in 1st gear.I have been ran over by the failure and the car was sold to me by duval Ford and they told me they wouldn't fix beacause of the 131,000 miles but they certified the car as perfect for sale.not to include the rear end needed rebuilt the intake was cracked and leaked into the cylinder causing the rod to spin a bearing.
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.
Transmission & drivetrain all 30 →
I pull into my garage to retreive something from on top of my washing machine. I put the car into park and began to exit the vehicle. The engine was still on at this time. I was about 3/4 out of the car standing with only my right foot still inside . When all of a sudden the car begin to back out by itself in reverse draging me with it about ten feet before I could free myself. I tried to get to the brake but the door of my car was to the wall of the garage and the door took me with it. Slamming me against my water softner garage springs and planter box outside of the garage. I was then able to free myself. The car continued down the driveway across the street into my neibhors yard before stopping. When I got to the car the gear was in reverse. I substained many cuts and bruises as a result of this incident. I contacted Ford about this matter 08-02-99 and they seem to not be intrested. …
After hearing a strange noise in the rear end of the vehicle while driving at speeds no more than 45 MPH, the vehicle was taken to the dearlership where it was purchased. I was given an original estimate of $250., and the next day was told all the bearings in the rear-end including the axels had to be replaced, due to possible factory defect. I phoned Ford motors the following day and was told I would hear something within a day or two. After picking up my vehicle, and paying the $1,474.82 for the repair, was told by Ford a week or so later that I never should have paid for the repair until I had recieved disposition from Ford motor company. However, the dealership would not release the vehicle until thte service was paid for, and I had a new job to report to on 9/23/98, in salem, nh. All the parts removed from the vehicle are located at my former residence in california. …
1997 Ford Mustang engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Mustang a good car?
Based on 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Mustang rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Mustang at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Mustang?
The engine & cooling — 60 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (38) and transmission & drivetrain (30).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Mustang have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Ford Mustang, the most recent from October 3, 2001 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Mustang?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2025 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011, 2015, 1995 and 2005. See the full Ford Mustang years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Mustang problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.