1997 Ford Mustang Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Ford Mustang, 5% of the 176 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. Spark plug wire clamps not staying connected to spark plugs causing arcing and damage to 5 spark plug wires. 2. Rupture of coolant crossover tube on front of intake manifold resulted in almost total loss of coolant on about a one block length of road at approximately 35mph. Recall 97m91 had been previously investigated (feb. 1999) with no damage found. Failure occurred in dec. 1999.”
NHTSA complaint #728211, filed 2000-08“Used wrong key in ignition and it blew up the ignition system. Had key made at a local hardware store. After 4 weeks of Ford promising assistance-they denied it. Trying a wrong key should not cause the module and transceiver to go bad. Followed recovery procedure in owners manual but car still would not start. This could be a potentially dangerous situation. Ford should recall or at very least put warning on ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #731404, filed 2000-09“First the car had to be repainted. Then the alternator had to be replaced. Next the whole rearend had to be rebuilt because the pinion and pinion bearing went bad. This could have caused a major accident. The car vibrates excessively when you're on the expressway. It is hard to get into 5th gear. It has popped out of gear on several occassions while on the expressway at 70 miles per hour. The spark plug wires had to be replaced. Currently the car keeps stalling when pulling out or accelerating and the check engine light comes on. It has been in the shop 3 times so far for this latest problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #707056, filed 1999-06Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2025 | 5 | 26% |
| 2024 | 40 | 48% |
| 2023 | 5 | 33% |
| 2022 | 7 | 14% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 32 | 21% |
| 2018 | 31 | 16% |
| 2017 | 34 | 13% |
| 2016 | 73 | 19% |
| 2015 | 68 | 15% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 7% |
| 2012 | 21 | 4% |
| 2011 | 24 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% |
| 2007 | 33 | 5% |
| 2006 | 31 | 7% |
| 2005 | 225 | 32% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 9 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 5% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 37 | 6% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 31 | 31% |
| 1992 | 29 | 42% |
| 1991 | 31 | 40% |
| 1990 | 35 | 41% |
| 1989 | 46 | 42% |
| 1988 | 56 | 52% |
| 1987 | 17 | 45% |
| 1986 | 11 | 37% |
| 1985 | 3 | 19% |
| 1984 | 9 | 50% |
| 1983 | 3 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Mustang
38 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 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 29, 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