Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Complaint on my 2000 Ford Mustang coupe(orginal owner ). Vehicle has problems relating to the position of the carpet around the accelerator pedal. After minimal use of the vehicle ( 5000 miles or around 3-5 months of use) a large hole developed on the right side of the accelerator pedal. If the accelerator is depressed fully or almost fully the side of your shoe can catch on the hole long enough to pose a saftey hazard of not being able to take your foot immeadatly off the accelerator pedal. I have had this happen on several occasions, and have to be very concious of my foot position on the accelerator pedal when driving to prevent this problem now that I am aware of it. …
Over the past year my 2000 Ford Mustang has accelerated by itself without my foot on the gas peddle..and its a 5 speed ...(stick shift) thank goodness I have been able to throw it into neuteral and then I have to slam the gas peddle down to the floor to get it to unstick ..both times have been on a busy highway during rush hour traffic...when I asked Ford to look at it ..they told me they couldnt find anything wrong with it .. I had taken it in to have the catalitic converter fixed..and they said that might have been the problem but in talking it over with my brother (who is a car mechanic) he didnt think that the catalitic conv. Would have nothing to do with the accelerator sticking like that !.. It hasnt happened in a while but its very nerve wracking when it does/not sure if this has happened to any other mustangs out there..
At times, my engine revs very high. I can actually continue to accelerate without depressing the gas pedal. When coming to a stop, the engine will rev up to nearly 4000 RPM with the clutch pedal pressed, and my other foot braking. Once I stop the car, the rpms then decrease but still stay on the high side (1500 rpms). Also, when going throughout the shift sequence (1st to 2nd to 3rd etc... Each time I press the clutch, the rpms shoot up). I am an engineer, business owner, and somewhat intelligent man. There are no obstructions to the accelerator cable that I can see, and no, my foot is not on the gas pedal. This is a real problem. It makes driving... Interesting to say the least, and in the hands of someone less capable, this would cause a severe risk.
The iac valve in my 2000 gt Mustang has gone bad. Causing problems with idle and cold startup. This seems to be a problem all across the board with many Mustang owners. This problem needs to be put into the light and a recall shoudl be made.
When I come to complete stops, (e.g. @ a red light) the tachometer slowly rises to 3,000 - 3,500 RPM's and the engine compartment shakes and roars as if I am accelerating. This has occurred at least 35 times since the original occurrence on 12/19/1999. I have not driven the vehicle since 02/29/1999. The car has been to two Ford dealerships six time to fix the problem. The following items have been replaced: air bypass valve, iac (3 times - they claimed each one, including the original was faulty), on board computer. Yet the problem still persists. Ford has finally agreed to reacquire my vehicle. I have spoken to other 2000 Mustang gt owners (all with vehicles built in 09/1999) they also have idle issues. The two I have spoken with have a reverse problem. Theirs idle so low, the vehicle stalls. I think Ford should look into the gt's that were built early in the model year. …
Upon deceleration, vehicle drops idle to 400-500 RPM and fluctuates. Sometimes stalls, causing loss of power steering, and brakes. Vehicle was serviced, replaced idle air control valve, reducing intensity and frequency of problem, not correcting it. Car has been taken in for service three seperate times, twice they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. Upon consulting with other 2000 Mustang gt owners, it is common problem. Some vehicles are still stalling heavily upon deceleration. If vehicle stalls, power brakes and steering are lost without warning, possible causing an accident. I am encouraging others with same problem to report to nhsta. This problem was reported to Ford consumer relations today, 5/10/01. This problem occurs on 99-2000 Mustang gt with manual transmission.
Car stalls after putting in the clutch or shifting to neutral sometimes. I lose all power steering and brakes causing me to miss stop signs, cannot corner due to loss of steering etc. Ford knows it has a problem with 1999 and 2000 Mustang gt but has no fix and is telling the dealers to do nothing!!!!! My family's and my life are in danger and I feel as though this should come under the lemon law. It does not happen everytime but the car cannot find it's idle speed until the car is at a dead stop. Sometimes it goes to 1000 RPM and sometimes as low as 400 RPM at which time it stalls.
When vehicle is put into gear, from park to drive/reverse, and when vehicle comes to a stop, it will accelerate suddenly for a moment, then stop. This happens mostly during cold weather conditions, and will happen from 25 to 50 percent of the time. Dealership could not determine any defect. A second dealership replaced torque converter, and verified that there was a problem. It was a possible software defect - no upgrade available to repair defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Engine stalls when full braking applied at highway speeds, causing sudden loss of power assisted steering and braking. 2 seperate instances. Dealer checked and found nothing noteable, made minor adjustment to throttle settings. 1 week later, second instance occurred, motor dying 3 times. Driver forced to place manual transmission in neutral, depress clutch, and restart motor, which restarted each time, but forced driver to attempt to start car, control car, and stop car simultaniously.
Vehicle failed to start on several occasions; vehicle could only be operated with foot on the gas pedal at all times to allow fuel to flow; vehicle almost uncontrollable coming to a stop at red light when engine stalled; vehicle would not continue idling on a cold start. Per dealer, the iac valve needs replacing...expected on Ford automobiles(mustangs and explorers, specifically).
Acceleration complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2000 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Ford Mustang, 6% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Mustang acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2000 Ford Mustang, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Mustang acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.