1997 BMW M3 vs 1997 Ford Mustang
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 BMW M3 | 1997 Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 19 | 176 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 7 | 167 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 17 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–21 | 18–21 |
| Median reported mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW M3 | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 38 |
| Power Train | 1 | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 19 |
| Seat Belts | 0 | 19 |
| Suspension | 2 | 14 |
| Parking Brake | 0 | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 12 |
| Tires | 4 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 11 |
| Stalling | 0 | 10 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 6 |
| Overheating | 0 | 5 |
1997 BMW M3
1997 Ford Mustang
Compare all BMW M3 vs Ford Mustang years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.