1997 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 22%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,175miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford Mustang, 22% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,175 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have been having a problem with my 1997 Ford Mustang. This is a problem that has gotten progressively worse over the past few years. At first, when starting my car, the engine would turn over yet the car would immediately die. After a couple of attempts, the car would eventually start and stay started. Now, when attempting to start my car, the engine turns over yet the car dies immediately. In most cases, the car does not start until it has been serviced. It has been taken to 3 service providers (including Ford), who have been unable to duplicate and/or fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10207339, filed 2007-10, 82,100 miles“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“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“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“This car was bought with an extended warranty which never honored by the dealer. Ford replaced (fired) the general manager of this dealership for dishonest practices. The car was purchased 5/97 with 13001 miles on it we picked up the extended warranty at time of purchase as per statement of general manager at the time. No safety defect listed in summary.”
NHTSA complaint #749224, filed 2001-07Related service bulletins
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018959Dec 14, 2005Extended coverage program 05n04 - extended coverage for composite intake manifold. This program is being provided as a settlement to a class action lawsuit. The terms of the…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 7% |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 27% |
| 2002 | 22 | 19% |
| 2001 | 24 | 14% |
| 2000 | 34 | 11% |
| 1999 | 31 | 15% |
| 1998 | 40 | 17% |
| 1997 | 38 | 22% |
| 1996 | 82 | 33% |
| 1995 | 339 | 56% |
| 1994 | 160 | 45% |
| 1993 | 11 | 11% |
| 1992 | 7 | 10% |
| 1991 | 6 | 8% |
| 1990 | 10 | 12% |
| 1989 | 6 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 5 | 13% |
| 1986 | 5 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 4 | 22% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Mustang
35 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 27, 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