AI Damage1997 Ford Mustang Convertible reliability: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Parking brake 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (44% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Parking brake: 1 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car was hit with hardly any force and rolled back into another vehicle... Did not know there was a recall on this until today march 8, 2003. Also numerous times car has been in shop for check engine light...no one knows what causes it come on.. Spent $2000 so far.
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.
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.
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 plastic intake manifold on my 1997 ford mustang gt is cracked and leaking. There is a recall on other models with this engine. Is there a lawsuit recently settled on this problem? Right now the car is in my mechanics garage waiting for parts.
My 1997 mustang convertible gt, vibrates at speeds of about 60-65 mph. Though the problem has existed for some time, after placing new tires on the vehicle (last week) I decided to do more research and found technical service bulletins consistent with my vehicle's problem.
The front seat belts in this vehicle does not lock during and emergency. Please provide any additional information.
My 1997 mustang has rusted through the trunk floor. The frame below is also rusting. The frame supports the rear bumper,which protects the gas tank.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,593 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 33% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mustang Convertible has 15 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 9, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Parking brake. Electric parking brake, codes, calipers.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, fuel system. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (22%), fuel system, fuel smell (11%), loss of power / limp mode (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Ford Mustang Convertible from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.