VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Mustang brakes problems

The 1997 Ford Mustang has 40 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

40

Brakes complaints

17%

Share of year

7

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

00V349000BrakesOctober 30, 2000 · 434,000 units

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 21, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1997 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 1997 Ford Mustang brakes — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Ford Mustang brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 00V349000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.