Model year record

1997 Ford Mustang

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 231 owner complaints on file.

Ford Mustang, 1994–2004 generation
Pictured: the 1994–2004 generation. Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V318000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
911
Reported to NHTSA
2001-10-03
Owners notified
2001-10-05

Defect description

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V349000

Parking brake: conventional

Component
Parking brake: conventional
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
434,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-30
Owners notified
2000-11-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Parking brake: conventional15—
Engine and engine cooling: engine13105,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12—
Seat belts: front: retractor1298,000 mi
Unknown or other1140,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system8—
Power train: automatic transmission8—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6—
Seat belts: front: anchorage6—
Air bags5—
Suspension: rear5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4150,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Suspension4—
Tires4—
Electrical system3—
Power train: driveline: differential unit3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Engine2128,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Parking brake2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2—
Vehicle speed control2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling182,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: fog lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1118,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, other: storage1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1—
Seat belts1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly169,999 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Mustang model years

All Ford Mustang recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.