Model year record

1997 Ford Mustang

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

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.

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.