1997 Ford Mustang Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about coolant leaks from a cracked plastic intake manifold and about head gasket failures on the 3.8L V6, both of which tend to lead to overheating. Seat belts that stop retracting and braking concerns such as warped rotors and ABS warning lights are also frequently described. Most complaints in the sample come from vehicles well past 80,000 miles, though several failures are reported much earlier.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Parking brake does not hold on a grade

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 4.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2002

   Owners report that the parking brake gives way or fails to hold the car on a slope, in some cases after the lever was applied and the car was left in gear. Some say the dealer could not find a problem, and others report the car rolled and struck another vehicle. A recall in the input addresses the parking brake self-adjustment pawl on vehicles with manual transmissions. Reported across varied mileage in the sample, most often on inclines and while parked rather than while driving.

   Recall 00V349000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V349000 was performed, and test the parking brake on a slight incline with the transmission in neutral. Check that the lever holds firmly and does not click upward on its own.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Emergency brake has not held since first bought car aug 99, I thought it was my fault not getting into place. Two weeks ago it did it again here at work. I have now in shop, but was told today Ford doesn't have parts manufactured to fix it so I can come get it till the dealer hears from Ford.”

   NHTSA complaint #735936, filed 2000-11

   “This vehicle has been recalled for a faulty emergency brake according to your records, but the manufacturer has yet to contact me to inform me of this fact.”

   NHTSA complaint #738847, filed 2001-01
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Seat belts that will not retract or jam

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2006

   Owners describe front seat belts that stop retracting, jam in the shoulder guide, or fold over so they no longer fit through the slot, leaving the belt slack in the seat. Some report the belt is worn or frayed where it enters the retractor, and one owner reports the buckle side locked so the belt would not extend. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes said no problem was found or attributed it to owner error, and some owners replaced belts with used parts. Appears across a wide mileage range, from about 17,000 to 118,000 miles in the sample, often noticed gradually.

   What to check: Pull each front belt out fully and let it go to see whether it retracts smoothly, and check the webbing near the retractor for fraying or folds. Ask whether either front belt has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both front seat belts are jammed and will not retract. I have always had this problem with both belts, but have always managed to have them retract back. Now both belts are sitting in the front seats as both belts are too short to fasten when driving. This is a huge problem and is dangerous to both front seat passengers. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #10013561, filed 2003-03, 48,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10168103, filed 2006-09, 102,220 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Cracked plastic intake manifold / coolant leak

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 14.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2010

   Owners describe coolant leaking from the area of the intake manifold, sometimes with steam or water visible under the car after stopping. In several cases a shop or dealer identified a cracked or split plastic intake manifold, and some owners report it was replaced more than once. A few complaints mention the check engine light coming on or the engine missing along with the leak. One service bulletin in the input describes an extended coverage program for the composite intake manifold. Reported from roughly 80,000 to 150,000 miles in the sample, often noticed after a drive and stop.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or staining around the intake manifold and ask whether the manifold has been replaced and when. Check the coolant level and watch for a sweet smell after the engine warms up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After driving about 40 MPH then stopping found out that steam and engine coolant was coming out. Towed vehicle to a near shop, they noticed that intake manifold had split. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #894568, filed 2001-08

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10355543, filed 2010-09, 150,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Warped rotors, ABS light, and brake hose concerns

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe vibration or pulsation when braking, with dealers identifying warped rotors and resurfacing rather than replacing them, after which the vibration returned. Other complaints describe the ABS warning light staying on, longer stopping distances, and front brake hoses that failed or separated at the fitting. One owner reports the vehicle wandering or pulling under light braking on rough roads. Reported from low mileage up to about 32,000 miles in the sample for rotor vibration, with hose and ABS complaints at varied mileage.

   What to check: Check for pedal pulsation during a steady stop and confirm the ABS light comes on and then goes out at startup. Have the front brake hoses inspected for cracks, swelling, or fluid residue near the caliper fittings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer will provide VIN.# upon receipt. Consumer was driving approximately 85mph when he applied the brakes and left front brake line separated at the crimp. Consumer had a head-on collision into a tire barrier / cement wall. Vehicle was a total loss. Ford came out and took the broken brake line from the car, and consumer has heard nothing yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #832447, filed 1998-12

   “Car will pull from side to side under light braking if the road is rough. Must fight with the steering wheel to keep car straight under braking. Also, the car will also wander the road if it is uneven or rough. Again the driver must fight with the steering wheel to regain control. The dealer has not been able to locate problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #755956, filed 2001-12
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure and overheating (3.8L V6)

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 112,750 mi at 6.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2003

   Owners report the engine overheating while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and being told by a mechanic that the head gasket failed and coolant was entering the engine. Complaints describe related damage such as a swollen or split upper radiator hose, coolant loss, and a misfire. One owner reports the head gaskets were blown on three cylinders of the 3.8L V6. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 112,000 miles, sometimes after sustained highway driving.

   What to check: Have a mechanic check for coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, or a pressure-test leak before buying, and ask whether the head gaskets have been replaced. Watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Head gaskets blown causing the upper radiator hose to swell and rub the air conditioning compressor clutch. The hole in the hose caused all the coolant to leak out and causing a misfire in the engine. The head gaskets were blown on three of the six cylinders. The engine is a 3.8l v6 in a 1997 Mustang.”

   NHTSA complaint #10037553, filed 2003-09, 112,750 miles

   “While driving, vehicle began to overheat, the engine cooling fan caught on fire and exploded. Consumer purchased a new cooling fan but the vehicle continues to overheat and smoke. The service manager explained that the bearings had seized and the vehicle was in need of a new engine. There is a recall on said part but this vehicle is not included.”

   NHTSA complaint #8004602, filed 2002-02

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on cooling system pressure, head gasket condition, and the front seat belts is worthwhile on this model year, since those are the most common themes in owner complaints. Also confirm whether the parking brake recall was completed and that the brake hoses and rotors are in good condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.