Four problems related to engine have been reported for the 1997 Ford Mustang. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
Antifreeze drips out from defective timing cover, and starts causing a burning smell, and severe engine damage. Consumer feels fumes are dangerous.
Timing cover is also leaking and saw on the internet that that can also cause major damage.
Engine pings under load and/or acceleration between roughly 3,500 and 4,700 rpms.