S197 Mustang: 2005–2014 Guide
The S197 Mustang is the fifth-generation Ford Mustang, sold for the 2005 to 2014 model years. It brought back 60s-style looks, then grew into a serious performance car once the 5.0 Coyote V8 arrived in 2011. Here's what changed year to year, what to check, and how it rates for safety.
S197 Mustang at a Glance
Model years 2005–2014 Ten model years
Platform S197 First built just for the Mustang
Facelifts 2010 and 2013 New body, then new lights
Big change 2011 5.0 Coyote and 3.7 V6
Power range 210–662 hp 4.0 V6 to Shelby GT500
Rear axle Live axle Every S197 Mustang
What Made the S197 Mustang Different
After 25 years on versions of the old Fox platform, the S197 Mustang finally got a chassis designed just for it. Ford also dressed it in styling that borrowed straight from the late-60s cars, with a long hood, round headlights and three-bar taillights, and buyers loved it.
Underneath, Ford kept a solid rear axle instead of switching to independent rear suspension. That made the car cheap to build and tough at the drag strip, although it can feel skittish over bumpy corners.
The real turning point came in 2011. The old engines gave way to a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 and the 412-hp 5.0-liter Coyote V8, so even the base car suddenly had more power than a 2005 GT.
What we like
- Retro looks that still turn heads
- 2011-and-up engines are strong and durable
- Cheap to buy and to modify
What to watch
- Live rear axle can hop on rough roads
- Early cabins feel plasticky
- Takata airbag recalls to check
S197 Mustang Engines and Power
The S197 Mustang had two very different engine eras, so the year you pick matters more than with most cars. Before 2011, the GT made about 300 hp. After 2011, it made more than 400.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L V6 | 2005–2010 | V6 | 210 hp / 240 lb-ft |
| 3.7L V6 | 2011–2014 | V6 | 305 hp / 280 lb-ft |
| 4.6L 3-valve V8 | 2005–2009 | GT | 300 hp / 320 lb-ft |
| 4.6L 3-valve V8 | 2010 | GT | 315 hp / 320 lb-ft |
| 5.0L Coyote V8 | 2011–2012 | GT | 412 hp / 390 lb-ft |
| 5.0L Coyote V8 | 2013–2014 | GT | 420 hp / 390 lb-ft |
| 5.0L Coyote V8 (Boss) | 2012–2013 | Boss 302 | 444 hp / 380 lb-ft |
| 5.4L supercharged V8 | 2007–2012 | Shelby GT500 | 500–550 hp |
| 5.8L supercharged V8 | 2013–2014 | Shelby GT500 | 662 hp / 631 lb-ft |
Two facelifts, one big engine swap
S197 Mustang Changes by Model Year
Most S197 updates came in three steps: the 2010 facelift, the 2011 engine change and the 2013 refresh. As a result, a 2005 and a 2014 drive like very different cars.
- 2005 Launch year, with retro styling, a 4.0-liter V6 and a 300-hp 4.6-liter GT.
- 2007 The Shelby GT500 returns with a 500-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8.
- 2008 The Bullitt edition arrives in Highland Green, with 315 hp and a tuned exhaust.
- 2010 First facelift: new sheet metal and a new interior, while the GT rises to 315 hp.
- 2011 New engines: a 305-hp 3.7 V6 and the 412-hp 5.0 Coyote V8. In addition, six-speed gearboxes replace the old five-speeds.
- 2012 The Boss 302 returns with 444 hp, plus a track-focused Laguna Seca version.
- 2013 Second refresh with HID headlights and LED taillights, while the GT gets 420 hp and the GT500 jumps to 662 hp.
- 2014 Final year before the S550 takes over.
Our verdict: if you can stretch to it, buy a 2011 or newer. The Coyote V8 and the 3.7 V6 are the biggest upgrade this generation ever got.
S197 Mustang Special Models
The S197 Mustang brought back two famous names and gave the Shelby GT500 its most powerful version yet.
2008–2009
Bullitt
315 hp 4.6 V8 Manual only
A tribute to Steve McQueen's 1968 movie car, in Highland Green or black, with a tuned intake and exhaust and almost no badges.
2012–2013
Boss 302
444 hp 5.0 V8 Track-tuned
A lighter, louder Coyote with track suspension and side exhaust. The Laguna Seca version dropped the back seat for a brace.
2007–2014
Shelby GT500
500–662 hp Supercharged V8 Manual only
The S197's top dog started at 500 hp. By 2013, a supercharged 5.8-liter V8 made 662 hp, the most of any S197 Mustang.
S197 Mustang Recalls
The recalls that matter most on an S197 Mustang today are the Takata airbag campaigns. Takata inflators can rupture in a crash and throw metal fragments, so if a car hasn't had the fix, get it done before you drive it much.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2014 | NHTSA 15V319000 | Takata airbag inflator replacement. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge. |
| 2005–2014 | NHTSA 21V081000 | Expanded Takata airbag inflator recall covering more S197 cars. |
S197 Mustang Safety Ratings by Region
The S197 Mustang was sold mainly in North America, so it was only crash-tested there. NHTSA also changed its test system in 2011, which means early and late scores aren't directly comparable.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | NHTSA | ★★★★★ (2010 coupe) | Under the older system, the 2010 coupe got five stars for frontal and side crashes, plus a top rollover score. |
| United States | NHTSA | Mixed (2014 coupe) | Under the tougher 2011 system: front driver 4 stars, front passenger 5, side driver 5, side rear 3, pole 4 and rollover 5. |
| United States | IIHS | Good / Acceptable | The 2014 coupe was Good in the moderate overlap and rear tests and Acceptable in the side test. It was never given the newer small overlap test. |
| United States | IIHS | Poor, then Good | The 2010 convertible first scored Poor in the frontal offset test. After Ford changed the structure and doors on cars built after December 2009, it scored Good. |
| Canada | NHTSA and IIHS | As above | Canada doesn't run its own crash-star program, so Canadian buyers use the US results. |
| Europe, Australia | Euro NCAP, ANCAP | Not rated | Ford didn't sell the S197 officially in these regions, so it was never tested. |
Buying a Used S197 Mustang
The S197 Mustang is one of the cheapest ways into a V8 sports car, and parts are everywhere. Still, a few things come up again and again.
- Spark plugs on 2005–2008 GTs. The 4.6 3-valve used two-piece plugs that can snap during removal. Ask whether they've been changed, and expect to pay a shop that knows the job.
- Takata airbag recall. Run the VIN and make sure the airbag inflator recall is done.
- MT82 manual on 2011–2014 cars. The six-speed draws complaints about notchy shifts and grinding when cold, so drive it from a cold start.
- Modified cars. Most V8 S197s have been tuned or lowered. Ask for receipts, and check for drag-strip wear like a slipping clutch or worn axle parts.
Our picks
- Best overall: 2011–2014 GT
- Best on a budget: 2011+ V6
- Best collectible: Boss 302 or Bullitt
Think twice
- Any car with an open airbag recall
- Tuned cars with no paperwork
- A 2005–2008 GT with unknown plug history
Other Mustang Generations
The S197 sits between the SN95 and the S550. Jump to the one before or after it, or see all seven.
S197 Mustang FAQ
What years are the S197 Mustang?
The S197 Mustang covers the 2005 through 2014 model years. It got a facelift for 2010, new engines for 2011 and a refresh for 2013.
Which S197 Mustang years are best?
For most people, 2011 to 2014. Those cars have the 5.0 Coyote V8 or the 305-hp 3.7 V6, six-speed gearboxes and electric power steering.
Does the S197 Mustang have independent rear suspension?
No. Every S197 Mustang uses a live rear axle. Independent rear suspension came to every Mustang with the 2015 S550.
How much horsepower does a 2011 Mustang GT have?
The 2011 and 2012 GT make 412 hp from the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, and the 2013 and 2014 GT make 420 hp.
What's wrong with 2005–2008 Mustang GT spark plugs?
The 4.6 3-valve V8 used two-piece spark plugs that can break apart during removal. It's fixable, but it makes a plug change slow and costly.
Is the S197 Mustang safe?
The 2010 coupe got five stars from NHTSA under the old system, and the 2014 coupe scored Good in most IIHS tests. However, it was never tested for small overlap crashes, so it's behind newer cars.
Sources
Keep Exploring
See every Mustang generation side by side, or head back to the full Ford lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Black 2011 Ford Mustang V6 coupe, S197…: Jamesthebard, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt coupe in Highland…: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 in Competition…: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, S197 generation: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.