1997 Ford Mustang Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 20%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Ford Mustang, 20% of the 176 complaints for this model year. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“Power steering/brake booster hose replaced, now strong vibration in brake pedal and at brake booster, and loud audible hum, no noise/vibration prior to replacement, dealer says new line different than original but is only replacment and can do nothing further - I'm concerned that vibration may cause brake failure since power steering shares pump with brake booster.”
NHTSA complaint #706848, filed 1999-05“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 1998-12Related recalls
- 00V349000Oct 30, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. If a vehicle is parked with the parking brake not fully applied and not in first…Covers: Ford Mustang 1994–2001
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2024 | 7 | 8% |
| 2023 | 4 | 27% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 9% |
| 2020 | 17 | 14% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 4% |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% |
| 2014 | 15 | 4% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 11 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 3% |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% |
| 2007 | 24 | 4% |
| 2006 | 20 | 5% |
| 2005 | 36 | 5% |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 10 | 8% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 63 | 20% |
| 1999 | 44 | 21% |
| 1998 | 33 | 14% |
| 1997 | 35 | 20% |
| 1996 | 41 | 17% |
| 1995 | 40 | 7% |
| 1994 | 27 | 8% |
| 1993 | 8 | 8% |
| 1992 | 6 | 9% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Mustang
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology