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1997 Ford Mustang Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Ford Mustang has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 434,911 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the parking brake. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 01V318000 2001-10-03 911 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

PARKING BRAKE 00V349000 2000-10-30 434,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Complaints by component

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
15
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
12
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
12
2crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
9
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
9
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
8
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
6
Total complaints231

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked”

ENGINE · reported 2023-06-24

“Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked”

SEATS · reported 2023-06-24

“Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2023-06-24

“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…”

STEERING · reported 2019-06-01

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-06-01

“Mustangs driver side air bag did not deploy during head on crash. *tr”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-12-18

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2012-09-15

“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…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE · reported 2010-09-07

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation PE99002 Opened 1999-01-11 · closed 1999-06-30

FRONT BRAKE HOSE

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Mustang as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.