1997 Ford Mustang

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE PART CRACKED IN THE WRONG PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/29/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/28/1998· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER HEARING A STRANGE NOISE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS NO MORE THAN 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEARLERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WAS GIVEN AN ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $250., AND THE NEXT DAY WAS TOLD ALL THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR-END INCLUDING THE AXELS HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO POSSIBLE FACTORY DEFECT. I PHONED FORD MOTORS THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING WITHIN A DAY OR TWO. AFTER PICKING UP MY VEHICLE, AND PAYING THE $1,474.82 FOR THE REPAIR, WAS TOLD BY FORD A WEEK OR SO LATER THAT I NEVER SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR UNTIL I HAD RECIEVED DISPOSITION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THTE SERVICE WAS PAID FOR, AND I HAD A NEW JOB TO REPORT TO ON 9/23/98, IN SALEM, NH. ALL THE PARTS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE ARE LOCATED AT MY FORMER RESIDENCE IN CALIFORNIA. I HAVE WRITTEN VARIOUS LETTERS, AND MADE MANY PHONE CALLS WITH NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE OBTAINED IN THIS MATTER. REAR-AXLES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 40,000 MILES.

• 12/28/1998· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IN ANY RELIABLE MANNER. OBVIOUS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. REPORTED TO FORD, THEY RETURNED WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND. CANNOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE UNDER ANY EMERGENCY CONDITION IF SUCH A SITUATION ARISES. FOR A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS, AT 18000 MILES, HAD INTERMITTENT GRINDING WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WHEN COLD. NOT REPORTED TO FORD SINCE NOT CONSISTENT ENOUGH AND DID NOT WANT TO BOTHER WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND RESPONSE. PROBLEM HAS SINCE GONE AWAY (FOR NOW). RECENT INCIDENT, HAD TOTAL FAILURE OF CLUTCH CABLE ASSEMBLY. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND FORCED TO ABANDON CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD. ONE INDIVIDUAL SWERVED TO MISS MY CAR AND ALMOST CAUSED A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. FORD DID REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THEY DID MENTION THAT CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO CABLE FAILURE. NO WORD FROM FORD IF THIS IS UNDER WARRANTY.

• 12/27/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING COOLANT TO BE SPRAYED ON ENGINE. A $245 EXPENSE JUST FOR THE PLASTIC PART THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT INTO PRODUCTION, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY CONCERNS SHOULD THE CRACK HAD HAPPENED RAPIDLY AND STEAMED UP THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, AFTER TRYING MULITPLE TIMES TO GET THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING TO QUIT LEAKING (USING RTV ON THE POORLY DESIGNED O-RING SEAL), MY SON NOTICED THE CRACK IN THE INTAKE NEXT TO ONE OF THE BOLT HOLES USED TO SECURE THE THERMOSTAT ELBOW. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE HOW SUCH A MATURE CAR COMPANY CAN PUT SUCH A DESIGN IN PRODUCTION; AND TO MAKE IT WORSE REFUSE TO VOLUNTEER TO CORRECT THEIR ERROR.*AK

• 12/27/2000· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH RETRACTING. IT HAS NOW BEEN PULLED OUT ALL THE WAY AND WILL NOT GO BACK IN. IT CANNOT BE USED IN THIS CONDITION AS IT POSES A SAFETY PROBLEM. DEALER HAS SAID A NEW SEAT BELT RETRACTING UNIT IS REQUIRED AND IT IS $90 PLUS $127.50 TO INSTALL. *AK

• 12/22/2001· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH PEDAL WILL RATTLE AT SPECIFIC LOW SPEEDS. *AK

• 12/22/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CAR WILL PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE UNDER LIGHT BRAKING IF THE ROAD IS ROUGH. MUST FIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT UNDER BRAKING. ALSO, THE CAR WILL ALSO WANDER THE ROAD IF IT IS UNEVEN OR ROUGH. AGAIN THE DRIVER MUST FIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/19/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1987-1993 MUSTANG GT'S, WHEN DRIVING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON, THE WIRING AT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CAN NOT HANDLE THE POWER, AND WILL MELT DOWN CAUSING A POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE. THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS CARRY A PLUG AND PIGTAIL FOR THESE VEHICLES. HERE WE HAVE A 1997 MUSTANG GT, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON THE WIRING AT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OVERHEATED , MELTING THE PLUG TO THE HEADLAMP SWITCH. ALSO I NOTICED BURN RESIDUE ON THE SWITCH ITSELF. BEING AWARE OF THE PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE OLDER CARS I KNEW TO SUT THE FOG LIGHTS OFF. THIS IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE GAUGE CLUSTER LIGHTS BACK ON. I TURNED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF AND THE SMOKE BEGAN TO CLEAR. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR CAR WITH A PROBLEM THAT I AM FINDING IS FAR MORE COMMON ON THE SN95 MODEL MUSTANG THAN THOUGHT. I WAS SUPRISED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINT REGARDING THE VEH. I CALLED AND CHECKED. MY FRIENDS 1995 DID THE SAME THING WITH LESS THAN 36 THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND FORD REPAIRED IT AT NO COST. I HAVE EMAILED WEB SITES ASKING ANY OTHER OWNERS TO FILE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA AND FORD SO THAT CONSUMERS CAN BE NOTIFIED. IF NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON THAN AT LEAST TO HAVE PEOPLE NOTIFIED NOT TO USE THE FOG LIGHTS UNTIL THIER CAR CAN BE INSPECTED. IT IS A COUPLE OF SCREWS AND THE REMOVAL OF THE HEADLAMP KNOB TO INSPECT THE SWITCH AND THE WIRING. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL MY FRIEND BOBBY SILVA AT 480-961-7433. HE IS ALSO AN OWNER AND WORKS FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY. HE WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME WHAT TO DO WHEN MY CAR STARTED SMOKING AND HE KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. HE IS HELPING ME WITH THE DEALER EAHRNHARDT FORD 480-893-0000 IN CHANDLER ARIZONA. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THIS HAPPENED IN AZ. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

• 12/18/1997· POWER TRAIN

  SECOND GEAR GRINDS WHEN SHIFTED. CLUTCH PEDAL VIBRATES BADLY AND MAKES POUNDING NOISE.

• 12/17/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE VIN.# UPON RECEIPT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 85MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE SEPARATED AT THE CRIMP. CONSUMER HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION INTO A TIRE BARRIER / CEMENT WALL. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. FORD CAME OUT AND TOOK THE BROKEN BRAKE LINE FROM THE CAR, AND CONSUMER HAS HEARD NOTHING YET. *AK

• 12/13/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, DRIVER WAS KILLED IN ACCIDENT ALONG WITH 1 OTHER INJURY, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEPLOYMENT, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY AN ATTORNEY THAT IF AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED. *SLC

• 12/10/2001· STRUCTURE

  I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

• 12/10/2001· SEAT BELTS

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/09/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THERE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST A 2+ SECOND DELAY IN THE ACCELERATION WHEN PUNCHED.

• 12/07/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 FORD MUSTANG GT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE COOLANT LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE WHOLE COCKPIT FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. UPON NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AND THE COOLANT LIGHT TURNING ON I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO PULL OVER. AFTER TOWING THE CAR HOME I NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS SPRAYED EVERYWHERE. AN INTAKE MANIFOLD IS A PART THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF A CAR WITH PROPER MANUFACTURING. I DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT FOOD CHANGED THE MANIFOLD STYLE IN 1999 AND CHANGED TO A ALUMINUM FRONT RUNNER OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INSTEAD OF THE PLASTIC RESIN THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE CAN EAT THROUGH. I ALSO FOUND A TSB ABOUT IT #0222. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IS NOT A VERY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I HAVE A VERY INCONVENIENT AND COSTLY PROBLEM THAT I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. *LA

• 12/04/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  SUBJECT: 1997 FORD MUSTANG GT, VEHICLE ID [XXX]. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/04/2000· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT BADLY WORN FROM SHARP PLASTIC COVER AND SHARP SPRING ROLLER, NOT APPARANT UNLESS BELT PULLED OUT (DIRVER WOULD NOT NORMALLY NOTICE). *AK

• 12/04/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE LOSS. DEALER STATES THAT THIS OCCURRED DUE THE BRAKES OVERHEATING. *AK CONSUMER HAD A REPLACEMENT HOSE INSTALLED AND WHILE BLEEDING THE BRAKES, THE LEFT FRONT HOSE FAILED, BOTH FAULTY HOSES APPEARED TO HAVE MELTED OUT OF THE CALIPER FITTING, THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO FAILURE OCCURRING WHILE ON A RACE TRACK. *SLC

• 12/03/1999· SEATS

  THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET WAS BROKE WHEN I SAT DOWN. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR NO BREAKING. IT BROKE WITH NO PRESSURE ON IT.

• 12/02/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED BY A MECHANINC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND LEAKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. TS

• 12/02/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/STUMBLE.

• 12/01/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REPORTED ABS LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON; ABS CONTROL MODULE ORDERED 09/04/1999 (COST TO OWNER FOR PART: $600+). PART WAS RECEIVED AND TO BE INSTALLED 11/11/1999, HOWEVER, NEW PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND PART WAS RE-ORDERED. IN CHECKING, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH ABS--PART ESTIMATED AT $800. RECEIVED BOTH PARTS AND INSTALLED ON 11/30/1999. $500 WAS APPLIED UNDER "WARRANTY." OWNER STILL HAD TO PAY TOTAL OF $900+ FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR A SYSTEM (ABS CONTROL MODULE AND ABS HCU UNIT) THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN A CAR THIS NEW! ALSO, IF THE PART ORDERED THE FIRST TIME WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THERE COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTS AT MANUFACTURER'S LEVEL. *AK

• 11/28/1998· POWER TRAIN

  MANUAL TRANSMISSION CRACKED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID.

• 11/26/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  EXCESSIVE RATTLING..ROUGH IDLE..WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING..A SLIGHT "HUMMING" CAN BE HEARD OVER THE DUAL EXHAUST..NOTHING MAJOR HAS HAPPENED AS OF YET.*AK

• 11/25/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAB OF VEHICLE STATES' CONSUMER. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE. PROBLEM WITH SMELL STILL EXIST. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TS

• 11/22/2000· SEAT BELTS

  I PURCHASED THE FORD MUSTANG COBRA DURING JULY, 1997, AND CURRENTLY HAVE 16,850 MILES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS WORN AT THE POING WHERE IT RETRACTS INTO THE FLOOR SUCH THAT IT MAY BREAK AT ANY TIME, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THE WEAR LOCATION ON THIS SEATBELT, IT WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE NOTICED BY THE DRIVER. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS UNSAFE BELT UNTIL SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE CAR WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPEN, AND WHILE I HAD MY SEAT BELT FASTENED, POINTED OUT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 30, 2000, REQUESTING GUIDANCE. FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY INFORMATION AND REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. *AK

• 11/16/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CABLE LINKAGE CAME LOOSE FORM THE CARBORATOR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AND ACCIDENT.

• 11/14/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RECALL IS FOR MUSTANGS MADE PRIOR TO DEC. 31, 1996 ALTHOUGH LATER MORE RECENT MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

• 11/14/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MAIN FUEL LINE WAS BROKEN ON DELIVERY.

• 11/12/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  THIS CAR HAS A SALVAGE TITLE, WHICH I LATER FOUND WAS DUE TO A TRUNK FIRE. I BOUGHT THE CAR AND LATER FOLLOWED UP ON RESEARCH ABOUT SALVAGE TITLES FINDING OUT THAT THE GAS TANK IS IN A BAD LOCATION AND THAT MUSTANG'S WHEN HIT ON IMPACT HAVE A TENDENCY TO LEAK GASOLINE CAUSING FIRES. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY LOCKS. POWER LOCK DON'T WORK, AND WHEN I OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, I MUST KEEP THE KEY IN THE THE TURNED UNLOCK POSITION WHILE PULLING THE HANDLE UP IN ORER TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN THE RAIN. GOING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, MOST THE TIME, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, I HAVE HYDROPLANED AND HAVE DONE A 360. THE CAR IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THE RIDE IS BUMPY MAKING ALL MY CD'S SCRATCH. THE CAR ALSO LETS OFF GAS WHEN THE AC IS ON, CAUSING ME TO BECOME SLEEPY. ALL IN ALL I FIND MUSTANGS TO BE VERY UNSAFE VEHICLES AND WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER.

• 11/11/1999· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN CLUTCH IS HOT, VEH IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, I FOUND TWO TSB'S, DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AND I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE TSB'S, THEY SAID THEY NEW OF NONE AND SAID THE FULLY RESEARCHED IT, NO ACTION WAS PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP, LEARNING MY LESSON ABOUT BUYING A FORD,

• 11/11/1999· STRUCTURE

  CONV FRAME IS CUTTING TOP(CAN BE EASILY SEEN), DEALER SAYS IS VANDALISM AND WILL NOT REPLACE, TOP SHOP SAYS IF REPLACE FRAME WILL DO SAME THING, DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FRAME

• 11/10/2000· PARKING BRAKECrash

  I FEEL THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET WHERE THE TEETH ON THE HAND/PARKING BRAKE MESH IS TOO THIN. THUS THE AMOUNT OF FRICTION CAUSED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK SWAYS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO DISLODGE AND BECOME DISENGAGED. *AK

• 11/09/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. COOLANT WASHING OVER HOT ENGINE CAUSE HUGE CLOULD OF STEAM WHICH OBSCURED VISION FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS WHILE AT 65MPH. ACCIDENT AVERTED, BUT ONLY LUCKY CONSIDERING EXTREMELY HEAVY RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. PLASTIC MANIFOLD IS MUSHY AND FRIABLE.*AK

• 11/08/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING IN A 55 MPH ZONE, I ATTEMPTED TO SET MY CRUISE CONTROL. I DID THIS SUCCESSFULLY. HOWEVER, ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS IF THE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED. AFTER I REALIZED THIS, I PUMPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE C/C. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF PUMPING THE BRAKES TO RELEASE CONTROL. ONCE DONE, I WAS TOO PARANOID TO TRY USING THE C/C UNTIL RECENTLY. I DECIDED TO TRY IT WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND IN A 35 MPH ZONE ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. THE CRUISE CONTROL SIMPLY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I TOOK IT TO AN ASE CERTIFIED SHOP IN ELLSWORTH, MAINE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. THE SHOP SAID IT WAS A RELAY THAT WAS BURNED OUT. THE RELAY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF 48 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER REPLACING THE RELAY, THE C/C STILL DOES NOT WORK. I AM MORE CONCERNED WITH THE SUDDEN SLOW DOWN AND NON-RELEASE OF SPEED CONTROL TO THE DRIVER THAN WITH GETTING MY C/C TO WORK AGAIN, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAPPENED ON A MAINE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THANK YOU.*AK

• 11/07/2000· PARKING BRAKE

  EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NOT HELD SINCE FIRST BOUGHT CAR AUG 99, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT NOT GETTING INTO PLACE. TWO WEEKS AGO IT DID IT AGAIN HERE AT WORK. I HAVE NOW IN SHOP, BUT WAS TOLD TODAY FORD DOESN'T HAVE PARTS MANUFACTURED TO FIX IT SO I CAN COME GET IT TILL THE DEALER HEARS FROM FORD.*AK

• 11/06/2000· PARKING BRAKE

  EMERGENCY BRAKE SLIPS REGULARLY. HAD IT ADJUSTED ONCE, BUT STILL SLIPS. MUST KEEP CAR IN GEAR TO ENSURE IT DOESN'T ROLL AWAY.*AK

• 11/05/2000· STRUCTURE

  MY MAIN CONCERN IS WITH THE WELDING ON THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MORE THAN ONE INDEPENDENT MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL DEFECT, THE IMPROPER WELDING OF THE BRACKETS ON TO THE UNIBODY AT THE FACTORY IS A NON-REPAIRABLE DEFECT. ORIGINALLY, THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE DEFECT AND REPRESENTED TO ME THAT THE BODY SHOP WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. AT THAT TIME, I WAS TOLD THE REAR TIRES WERE POINTING TO THE RIGHT. NOW I AM BEING TOLD BY EVERYONE OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY ARE "TOED TO THE LEFT - NO ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE". AT THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP PUT THE CAR IN THE BODY SHOP FOR "RE-WELDING" IT HAD ONLY 20628 MILES ON IT, AND THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY RUINED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO MAKE ANY ALLOWANCES FOR NEW TIRES. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR WOULD FISHTAIL AND SWERVE ON RIGHT TURNS, EVEN FROM A DEAD STOP. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOW THE CAR DOES THE SAME THING ON LEFT TURNS. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH, AND THEIR CONSISTENT POSITION IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSE WAS THAT I NEEDED TO GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH HAD NOT EXPIRED AT THE TIME I BROUGHT THIS BACK TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT MATTERS, HOWEVER, AS THE DEFECT HERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION WHICH I HAVE, IS NON-REPAIRABLE. I HAVE PROVIDED THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE COMPUTER PRINTOUTS WHICH I HAVE FROM OTHER TECHNICIANS EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM, BUT, AS I SAID, THEIR CONSISTENT POSITION IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. AND THAT IS PRETTY MUCH THE EXTENT OF THEIR EXPLANATION. I WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE MY POSITION WITH THE MANUFACTURER, HOPEFULLY WITH BETTER SUCCESS.

• 11/05/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE CAR, AND THE ENGINE KEEPS MISSING, CONSUMER TOOK IT TO FORD 5 TIMES AND PRIVATE MECHANIC 6 TIMES, NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.*ET

• 11/01/2011· STEERING

  AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 15MPH, I HEARD A LOUD POP/CRACK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CHANGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO TURN IN A 360 DEGREE ROTATION WITH NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. AT THIS TIME I FELT SOMETHING HIT MY SHOE FROM ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL AND I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING HAD BROKE CAUSING ME TO HAVE ABSOLUTE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE STEERING COLUMN, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SHAFT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE COLUMN THAT GOES INTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND INTO THE FIREWALL TO THE ENGINE. NO BROKEN/SHARD PARTS OF METAL NOR ANY BROKEN PIECES THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF WERE LAYING UNDERNEATH. IT WAS AS IF THE SHAFT WAS "PULLED" OUT OF THE COLUMN HOLE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION AT A BODY SHOP, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INTO AN ACCIDENT (JUST LIKE THE CARFAX REPORT HAD INDICATED) BECAUSE THERE ARE NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGES. THE TECHNICIANS HAD NEVER SEEN AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS AND HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW/WHY THE SHAFT WOULD JUST SEPARATE WITH SUCH EASE. I'VE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN/HEARD OF AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS. I BOUGHT THE MUSTANG FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DISCLOSED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING STEERING ISSUES/IF THERE IS ANY TO DISCLOSE. I AM HAVING THE BODY SHOP COMPLETELY REPLACE THE SHAFT BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IF THIS ISSUE IS TO HAPPEN AGAIN WITH SUCH EASE AND I LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF STEERING CAPABILITIES, WHO IS TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR? *TR

• 10/31/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTIONED WITHIN SYSTEM , CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 10/31/1997· PARKING BRAKE

  WHEN THE CONSUMER PARKS VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ON, THE PARKING BRAKE MOST OF THE TIME HOLDS VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT HOLDS VEHICLE AND FOR NO REASON LETS GO, AFTER IT HOLDS IT FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED BEFORE WHERE THE CONSUMER HAD TO RUSH INSIDE THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT ON TIME. *AK

• 10/30/2000· WHEELS

  WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WHEEL BECAME UNDONE, ROLLED OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 10/29/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. AT FIRST, WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER YET THE CAR WOULD IMMEDIATELY DIE. AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY START AND STAY STARTED. NOW, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER YET THE CAR DIES IMMEDIATELY. IN MOST CASES, THE CAR DOES NOT START UNTIL IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 SERVICE PROVIDERS (INCLUDING FORD), WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND/OR FIX THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, FORD REPLACED MY AIR FLOW VALVE AND SENSOR AND JUST AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP AND DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I WENT INTO A STORE JUST TO COME OUT AND FIND THAT MY CAR WON'T START. ONCE STARTED THE CAR ALWAYS CONTINUES TO RUN WITH NO PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE HELP! *TR

• 10/27/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 MUSTANG GT. CAR HAD 124,289 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE PRECEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I WAS STILL IN FIRST GEAR, CAR LET OUT A LOUD BANG. IT HONESTLY SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD FIRED. I WAS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD EXPLODED AND CRACKED THE HEAD. REPAIRS BY FORD TOTALED $2956.91 AND IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM FORD SHOWING A DETAILED LIST OF PARTS REPLACED, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD, 8 NEW SPARK PLUGS AND GASKETS, OIL CHANGE, ENGINE COOLANT FLUSHED. *NM

• 10/27/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  (1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: FORD POORLY DESIGNED AN INTAKE MANIFOLD SO THAT THE COOLANT RUNNING THROUGH IT ACTUALLY EATS AWAY THE PLASTIC. *AK (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: THE INTAKE CRACKED AND SPRAYED COOLANT THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE BAY. THIS RENDERED THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD HAS A PROGRAM (97M91) WHEREIN WHEN THE PART FAILS(REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE), THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS PROGRAM STATED THAT IT WAS COVERED FROM 7 YEARS OF THE START OF THE WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE. MY INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AT 7 YEARS AND 59 DAYS WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON THE CAR.

• 10/27/2000· SEAT BELTSCrash

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 10/27/1997· SUSPENSION

  SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

• 10/22/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS