DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Ford / Mustang / 1997

Model Year Problem Record

Ford Mustang 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Mustang: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

176Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
23Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes38 complaints

38 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V349000.

Power Train30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags6 complaints

6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V318000.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V349000Reported October 30, 2000 - 434,000 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on October 30, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 434,000 vehicles across all affected models.

01V318000Reported October 3, 2001 - 911 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on October 3, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 911 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99002Opened January 11, 1999 - Closed June 30, 1999

FRONT BRAKE HOSE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199711
199827
199936
200031
200135
200215
20034
20048
20051
20062
20071
20101
20121
20151
20191
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.