Ford Mustang Complaints (1997)
214 consumer complaints on file.
- #11528744June 25, 2023ENGINE, SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11265433October 1, 2019STEERING, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRACKED IN THE LOCATION OF THE HORN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO BECOME EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10689543February 20, 2015AIR BAGS
MUSTANGS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON CRASH. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10628014August 25, 2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE ELECTRICAL POWER WIRES ON THE OEM-INSTALLED FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK, WERE INSTALLED SO THAT THEY CROSSED OVER EACH OTHER ON THEIR WAY FROM THE CONNECTOR OUTSIDE THE TANK TO THE FUEL PUMP INSIDE. ON THREE SIMILAR VEHICLES THAT WE OWN THESE CROSSING SOLID CORE FUEL PUMP WIRES CAME CLOSE ENOUGH TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO TOUCH. ON THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE WIRES NOT ONLY CROSSED BUT THEY TOUCHED AND THE WIRES WERE RIGID ENOUGH THAT OVER THE YEARS THEY RUBBED AND WORE AWAY THE INSULATION ON BOTH THE RED AND THE BLACK ELECTRICAL WIRES. THIS APPARENTLY ALLOWED THE 12 VOLTS DC POWER TO CROSS FROM ONE WIRE TO THE OTHER, RANDOMLY BYPASSING THE FUEL PUMP AND SERIOUSLY AFFECTING HOW THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD RUN. WHILE THE OPERATIONAL IMPACT OF THIS PROBLEM WAS A NUISANCE, MORE DISTURBING IS THE POTENTIAL THIS INSTALLATION TECHNIQUE HAS FOR BECOMING A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION SINCE A SPARK IS THUS POSSIBLE AND SINCE THE WIRES ARE INSIDE A FUEL-VAPOR AREA, INSTEAD OF A LIQUID-FILLED AREA, ANYTIME THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN ABOUT HALF A TANK OF GASOLINE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10478613October 4, 2012ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, A FOUL ODOR STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE CABIN. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE HE BECAME DISTRAUGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10433866November 1, 2011STEERING
AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 15MPH, I HEARD A LOUD POP/CRACK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CHANGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO TURN IN A 360 DEGREE ROTATION WITH NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. AT THIS TIME I FELT SOMETHING HIT MY SHOE FROM ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL AND I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING HAD BROKE CAUSING ME TO HAVE ABSOLUTE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE STEERING COLUMN, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SHAFT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE COLUMN THAT GOES INTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND INTO THE FIREWALL TO THE ENGINE. NO BROKEN/SHARD PARTS OF METAL NOR ANY BROKEN PIECES THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF WERE LAYING UNDERNEATH. IT WAS AS IF THE SHAFT WAS "PULLED" OUT OF THE COLUMN HOLE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION AT A BODY SHOP, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INTO AN ACCIDENT (JUST LIKE THE CARFAX REPORT HAD INDICATED) BECAUSE THERE ARE NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGES. THE TECHNICIANS HAD NEVER SEEN AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS AND HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW/WHY THE SHAFT WOULD JUST SEPARATE WITH SUCH EASE. I'VE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN/HEARD OF AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS. I BOUGHT THE MUSTANG FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DISCLOSED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING STEERING ISSUES/IF THERE IS ANY TO DISCLOSE. I AM HAVING THE BODY SHOP COMPLETELY REPLACE THE SHAFT BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IF THIS ISSUE IS TO HAPPEN AGAIN WITH SUCH EASE AND I LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF STEERING CAPABILITIES, WHO IS TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10355543September 14, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL* 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10352010August 26, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1997 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L 8CL OIL IN RADIATOR, BUT NO WATER IN ENGINE. CAR RUNS GREAT BUT WILL RUN HOT AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF REPLACING THE RADIATOR. COMPRESSION TEST DID NOT SHOW LOSS OF COMPRESSION. MECHANICS ARE BAFFLED BECAUSE THE CAR RUNS SO WELL WITHOUT MISSING OR POWER LOSS. FURTHER TEST CAN NOT PROVE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CAR DOESN'T EVEN SMOKE. IM CONFUSED, NEED HELP AND HOPING THERE IS A RECALL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10319350March 12, 2010SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MUSTANG, COBRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY HE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO COAST DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED NHTSA RECALL #00V349000 PARKING BRAKE: CONVENTIONAL DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10233672July 9, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WAS USING COOLANT/TOOK TO FORD DEALER & THEY ADVISED IT'S COMING FROM CRACK IN TOP OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THESE DUE TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, BUT TIME TO FILE ENDED 4 MOS. AGO & WE'D HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10207339October 29, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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. RECENTLY, FORD REPLACED MY AIR FLOW VALVE AND SENSOR AND JUST AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP AND DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I WENT INTO A STORE JUST TO COME OUT AND FIND THAT MY CAR WON'T START. ONCE STARTED THE CAR ALWAYS CONTINUES TO RUN WITH NO PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE HELP! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10198795August 7, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10168103September 12, 2006SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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. *JB
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10161365July 4, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 MUSTANG WITH 4.6L. COST $1020 PLUS TOWING, TO REPAIR AT LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CITING THE CHAMBERLAIN SETTLEMENT'S EXCLUSIONS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10157690May 16, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1997 FORD COBRA NUMBER 6 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT AND CAR STALLED HAD TO BE TOWED. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10156964May 8, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ERUPTED IN FLAMES WHILE PARKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS USED EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN THE AREA OF SOME ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO RESPONDED AND TOOK A REPORT. THE INSURANCE AGENCY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10152264March 9, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TOOK CAR TO GARAGE TO CHECK FOR REASON FOR LOSS OF COOLANT. THEY FOUND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE FORD 4.6 L ENGINE WAS LEAKING AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. COST TO REPAIR WAS ALMOST $1000 AND FORD HAS REFUSED CLAIM ON THE GROUNDS THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT FORD RECENTLY AGREED TO SETTLE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10148150January 19, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TWO TIMES THE AIR INTAKE SUCKED IN WATER AND BLEW THE ENGINE. ONE TIME FORD COVERED THE COST OF THE ENGINE AND THE SECOND TIME THE $7000 CHARGE WAS PAID BY MY FATHER (PREVIOUS OWNER). *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10148166January 19, 2006STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD FAILING 1997 FORD MUSTANG, VIN #[XXX], MILEAGE TO DATE 70,000. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10140908October 27, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 MUSTANG GT. CAR HAD 124,289 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE PRECEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS STILL IN FIRST GEAR, CAR LET OUT A LOUD BANG. IT HONESTLY SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD FIRED. I WAS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD EXPLODED AND CRACKED THE HEAD. REPAIRS BY FORD TOTALED $2956.91 AND IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM FORD SHOWING A DETAILED LIST OF PARTS REPLACED, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD, 8 NEW SPARK PLUGS AND GASKETS, OIL CHANGE, ENGINE COOLANT FLUSHED. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0