32 of the 231 complaints about the 1997 Ford Mustang are about the transmission — 14% of everything reported for this model year.
32
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHILE PARKED IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BRAKE UP AS PER OWNERS MANUAL, POSSIBLY PARKING BRAKE FAILURE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #562959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CLUTCH PEDAL WILL RATTLE AT SPECIFIC LOW SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #755957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHILE PARKED IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BRAKE UP AS PER OWNERS MANUAL, POSSIBLY PARKING BRAKE FAILURE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #562959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHILE PARKED IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BRAKE UP AS PER OWNERS MANUAL, POSSIBLY PARKING BRAKE FAILURE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #562959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS AT TIMES UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO A DRIVE GEAR, THIS RENDERS VEHICLE USELESS UNTIL THE GEAR SHIFT IS MOVEABLE. YES THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #751523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN UPSHIFTING. AT FIRST IT OCCURRED ONLY AT 43 MPH; HOWEVER, IT NOW OCCURS AROUND 30 MPH AS WELL AND HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUCED PARTICULARLY AT THE 43 MPH SHIFT POINT. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AT NORMAL FULL LEVEL AND APPEARS TO BE OF NORMAL COLOR. WE HAVE ALSO CHECKED THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS WHICH ARE TIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #750766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THE TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A LEAK WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DAY. I ESTIMATE 1 QUART OF FLUID WAS LOST. I FILLED IT UP BUT MAJOR GEAR WEAR HAD ALREADY HAPPENED (COULD HEAR WHINE FROM THEN ON). THE LEAK COULD NOT BE FOUND AND SEALED ITSELF. MONTHS LATER THE MAIN INPUT SHAFT EXPLODED WHILE CRUISING AT 40 MPH RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION UNDRIVABLE. THE REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BOTH OF THESE ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR BUT THE CLOSE PROXIMITY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED DISTURBS ME.
NHTSA complaint #745426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION GRINDS GOING INTO 2ND GEAR AND POPS OUT OF REVERSE ALMOST ALL COBRA OWNERS I HAVE TALKED WITH HAS THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE T-45 TRANSMISSION DEALER CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO NO FIX IS POSSIBLE
NHTSA complaint #728651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE WITH THE GEAR INDICATOR STILL IN PARK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #868897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #701644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #701658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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,
NHTSA complaint #714633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CAR PURCHASED 9/97 FACTORY DELIVERY BRAKE PROBLEMS CONSTANTLY SQUEEKING METAL CLINGING, BOOT COVER NEVER LOCKS, TRANSMISSON FAILURE TWICE, LEAKS AROUND WINDOW SEALS
NHTSA complaint #712646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PULL INTO MY GARAGE TO RETREIVE SOMETHING FROM ON TOP OF MY WASHING MACHINE. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND BEGAN TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON AT THIS TIME. I WAS ABOUT 3/4 OUT OF THE CAR STANDING WITH ONLY MY RIGHT FOOT STILL INSIDE . WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGIN TO BACK OUT BY ITSELF IN REVERSE DRAGING ME WITH IT ABOUT TEN FEET BEFORE I COULD FREE MYSELF. I TRIED TO GET TO THE BRAKE BUT THE DOOR OF MY CAR WAS TO THE WALL OF THE GARAGE AND THE DOOR TOOK ME WITH IT. SLAMMING ME AGAINST MY WATER SOFTNER GARAGE SPRINGS AND PLANTER BOX OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO FREE MYSELF. THE CAR CONTINUED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET INTO MY NEIBHORS YARD BEFORE STOPPING. WHEN I GOT TO THE CAR THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE. I SUBSTAINED MANY CUTS AND BRUISES AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS MATTER 08-02-99 AND THEY SEEM TO NOT BE INTRESTED. ALL THEY SAID WAS UM!! UM!! REALLY. IF WE HEAR ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE WI'LL NOTIFY YOU. WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION, MY NAME OR PHONE NUMBER HUNG UP.
NHTSA complaint #709531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK LEVELED OUT AND CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FRONTWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. DLR REPLACED SEAT TRACK. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. ALSO TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #841758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
FIRST THE CAR HAD TO BE REPAINTED. THEN THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEXT THE WHOLE REAREND HAD TO BE REBUILT BECAUSE THE PINION AND PINION BEARING WENT BAD. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN YOU'RE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. IT IS HARD TO GET INTO 5TH GEAR. IT HAS POPPED OUT OF GEAR ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY THE CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN PULLING OUT OR ACCELERATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES SO FAR FOR THIS LATEST PROBLEM. IT IS STILL NOT FIXED, AND I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #707056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SUSPENSION PULLS TO THE LEFT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR GRINDS. ENGINE LOSES POWER WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON. BRAKES PADS ON LEFT SIDE METAL TO METAL. SECOND BRAKE JOB. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXISTAS.
NHTSA complaint #706347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
@ 7000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WENT OUT & HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 14000 MILES FRONT END MISALIGNED, NEEDED 2 NEW FRONT TIRES & ALIGNMENT, @ 21000 MILES DRIVERS WINDOW QUIT, @ 21797 BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING NEEDED REPLACEMENT PADS,@ 21000 MILES ENGINE STARTED SPARK KNOCKING & CONTINUES TO DATE. 5 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT NOT CORRECTED.@27,462 MILES DEALER DECARBONED ENGINE & AGAIN 300 MILES LATER. STILL SPARK KNOCKING. BEGINING LEMON LAW PROCESSES 3/28/99. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #704997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO REAR END AXLE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.
NHTSA complaint #539628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO REAR END AXLE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.
NHTSA complaint #539628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
SEVERE CLUTCH PEDAL VIBRATION AND CHATTER...THE CLUTCH, THROW OUT BEARING AND PRESSURE PLATE HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE FLYWHEEL ONCE...THEY ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND CABLE...TOMORROW I WILL TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND HAVE A NEW "REDESIGNED" THROW OUT BEARING INSTALLED...THIS IS EITHER A DESIGN FLAW OR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #702438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION CRACKED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #700963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AND CAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #540667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT POPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING AND THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #824195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED/VIBRATES.
NHTSA complaint #534616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR AFTER DECELERATING AND THE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #532519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
RING AND PINION REAR END GEARS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #529574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR RING AND PINION GEARS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #530386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
SECOND GEAR GRINDS WHEN SHIFTED. CLUTCH PEDAL VIBRATES BADLY AND MAKES POUNDING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #527460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.