1997 Ford Mustang engine problems

ENGINE

Unknown I lost control of my steering and almost wrecked

NHTSA complaint #11528744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10478613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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 VEHICLES OVER TEN YEARS OF AGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10355543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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!

NHTSA complaint #10207339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10100554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10080345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10053509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. HE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH THE RETRO FIT MANIFOLD WHICH WAS ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC. CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ON THE INTERNET DEALING WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. CONSUMER SPENT OVER $600.00 FOR REPAIRS. DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR SINCE FORD KNEW THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10040558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKETS BLOWN CAUSING THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE TO SWELL AND RUB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CLUTCH. THE HOLE IN THE HOSE CAUSED ALL THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT AND CAUSING A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN ON THREE OF THE SIX CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE IS A 3.8L V6 IN A 1997 MUSTANG.

NHTSA complaint #10037553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #8023484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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

NHTSA complaint #8023291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE IS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID, CAUSED BY A CRACK, HEATER IS TAKING LONGER TO GET WARM. DEALER STATED THAT OIL MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIIAN AT DEALER. *AK. CONSUMER STATED RADIATOR FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER, WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING LOSS OF HEAT.

NHTSA complaint #8006187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #758855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING COVER GASKET LEAKING MAY LEAD TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM..

NHTSA complaint #758386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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).

NHTSA complaint #755278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH NEVER HONORED BY THE DEALER. FORD REPLACED (FIRED) THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THIS DEALERSHIP FOR DISHONEST PRACTICES. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 5/97 WITH 13001 MILES ON IT WE PICKED UP THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT TIME OF PURCHASE AS PER STATEMENT OF GENERAL MANAGER AT THE TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #749224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WITH 60,000 MILES ON VEHICLE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE BY DEALERSHIP. THEN 4,000 MILES LATER, TIMING GASKET BLEWOUT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER SERVICE PROGRAM. THEN, WITH 68,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, IT STARTED VIBRATING WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AND REVVED TO OVER 6000 RPM. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WHERE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF COMPLETE FAILURE. *AK AIR CONDITIONER WOULD LOSE POWER AFTER 45 MINUTES OF OPERATION, DEALER STATED AN ACCUMULATER AND ORIFICE TUBE WAS NEEDED. THE CONNECTOR TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS CRACKED ALMOST IN HALF CAUSING THE CABLE TO DISENGAGE FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #890316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PEOPLE WITH 97 MUSTANGS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THERE HEAD GASKETS CRACKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON DUE TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. MINE ONLY HAS 44,900 MILES! DO SOMETHING.

NHTSA complaint #746162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FRONT TIMING GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT FROM 3.8L V6 ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #884836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ANTIFREEZE DRIPS OUT FROM DEFECTIVE TIMING COVER, AND STARTS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL, AND SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. CONSUMER FEELS FUMES ARE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #882233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #738468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO THE FAULTY TIMING VALVE GASKET. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #783983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #736313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #783574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE HEATER FAILED VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED THE ALUMINUM HEAD.

NHTSA complaint #784488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS, TIMING GASKET CAP, AND ENGINE ITSELF ALL FAILED ON A 1997 FORD MUSTANG LX COUPE

NHTSA complaint #728715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

1. SPARK PLUG WIRE CLAMPS NOT STAYING CONNECTED TO SPARK PLUGS CAUSING ARCING AND DAMAGE TO 5 SPARK PLUG WIRES. 2. RUPTURE OF COOLANT CROSSOVER TUBE ON FRONT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD RESULTED IN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF COOLANT ON ABOUT A ONE BLOCK LENGTH OF ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. RECALL 97M91 HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED (FEB. 1999) WITH NO DAMAGE FOUND. FAILURE OCCURRED IN DEC. 1999.

NHTSA complaint #728211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING COVER IS ALSO LEAKING AND SAW ON THE INTERNET THAT THAT CAN ALSO CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #724890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE BROKE DOWN FROM ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99B29. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TIMING GASKET COVER.

NHTSA complaint #865891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.