Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2017 Ford Mustang
The 2017 Ford Mustang has notable issues, including seat belt, camera, airbag, door latch recalls, and engine cooling problems. Despite its performance appeal, these safety concerns demand thorough inspection.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Ford Mustang has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 268 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V614000 Seat Belt Anchor Pretensioner Cables May Corrode and Break NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V572000 Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V082000 Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V529000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V168000 Driver's Door may Unlatch in a Crash/FMVSS 206 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V779000 Oil Leak from Engine Cooler Hose NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Back Over Prevention 64 complaints
- Structure 41 complaints
- Unknown or Other 37 complaints
- Electrical System 34 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 29 complaints
- Engine 27 complaints
Of the 268 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 268 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Seat belt pretensioner corrosion
How to check: Inspect seat belt anchors for corrosion or damage.
Rearview camera failure
How to check: Test rear camera for clear image when reversing.
Passenger airbag inflator rupture risk
How to check: Verify airbag system functionality and recall service.
Driver door latch may fail
How to check: Check driver side door latch operation closely.
Oil leak from cooler hose
How to check: Look for oil stains under the engine area.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or vibrations.
Red flag: Loud knocking or clicking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights on display.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Notice the brake responsiveness and effectiveness.
Red flag: Soft or unresponsive brake pedal.
- 04
Parking
What to check: Test rearview camera functionality during reverse.
Red flag: Camera image is blank or distorted.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor for any lack of power or surging.
Red flag: Engine hesitates or lacks power.
- 06
Final stop
What to check: Look for steam or coolant smell from engine bay.
Red flag: Signs of overheating or coolant leak.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the seat belt recall been addressed?
- Are there any known camera issues?
- Has the airbag issue been fixed?
- Is there a history of oil leaks?
- Have all recalls been repaired?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall completion documentation
- Recent repair invoices
- Maintenance records
- Vehicle inspection report
- Title and registration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Ford Mustang at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2017 Ford Mustang? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.