Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The car in front of me came to the stop and so did I but as I hit my brake something blew up in my face and made me put my arms up and I lost visibility. The weird part is they went off at a rolling stop under 3 MPH .also last week my car brake switch almost started an electrical fire.
Vehicle was parked and turned off. Fire started in engine compartment. Witnesses said it sounded like the car was trying to start itself. Total loss. Damage was worst on the passenger side of the engine compartment centered in the area in front of the wheel. Security camera of incident shows smoke then fire starting at the front passenger side.
I have a 2000 Ford Mustang v6, and I have an ongoing problem that the dealer (magic Ford, in valencia ca it s been in the dealer four times) can t fix and can t find out what s wrong with the car. Whenever I drove the car and it gets hot and when I shut off the engine and try restarting the car, and the car would not start, I have to wait until the engine cool off, then the car would start, it happened to me when I stopped at the grocery store, and try starting the car and it would not start, same thing when I stopped at the gasoline station, I have to wait until it gets cool off before the would start again. …
My 2000 Mustang gt overheated while I was driving back home, on a ten mile journey a couple days ago. Until this incident, my Mustang had never overheated. I bought the car last sept. I used hose water at gas station to cool it first on hood then once my engine looked cooler, I filled the radiator (thinking we'd flush the cooling system when I got it home) water emptied as fast as I poured it in, from intake manifold behind what looks like the thermostat housing. My car is my only transportation. Now I'm not sure what to do. Because I used all my money to buy this car. I can not afford to fix this. My situation appears identical to several on your site, such as this one I just copied from one of the complaints posted:oct 08, 2013 - lexington, sc - engine and engine cooling while driving vehicle, engine began to overheat. Steam rolled from under the hood. …
While cleaning my spark plugs, I noticed the number #3 spark plug had oil on the spark plug thread. When I put my finger into the number #3 cylinder hole oil showed on my finger. The number #3 plug was also fouled compared to the other new plugs. This could lead to engine damage or a fire in the engine area. I heard that Ford had a service bulletin on this problem, but I called Ford and they said there is no service bulletin on my car for this problem. I was told by many owners that Ford had a valve cover buffle to pcv valve problem on 1999 and 2000 Mustang 3.8, but they will not do any thing to correct the problem. I was told my many owners that they mod. And removed the pcv valve and replaced it with filters to stop oil getting into the cylinders. This would make it illegal and would like to see the problem corrected properly. …
I bought the vehicle used on May 03, 2003 from ramey Ford in tazewell, va and under the terms that they would check the clutch for vibration. Upon checking the clutch, I was advised that the clutch rod needed replaced and this was completed. After getting the vehicle back the first time, I have gone through an ongoing problem with the clutch making a vibration/rattle type noise that comes and goes even after the pressure plate, throw-out bearing, and fly-wheel were replaced. Also, for 3 1/2 to 4 months the service engine soon light would come on periodically and start blinking and then go off, this has finally stopped after 3 attempts at fixing the problem, after the PCM was reprogrammed and a coil pack was changed. For a car that looks brand new inside and out, these constant problems have been very troublesome and aggravating especially after 6 repair attempts (going on 7).
My 2000 Ford Mustang lost all its power after I just pulled out of a parking lot. I then noticed smoke coming from under the hood on the passenger site. About 1-2 minutes later I saw flames coming from the same place. As I exited the car and closed the door all the interior lights flashed on and a horrid noise came from the front right side of the car. I immediately called the fire department but by the time they arrived 10-15 foot high flames were shooting in the air from the front of the car [this all started to happen incredibly fast] and there also was lots of black smoke. One of the firemen/ladies told me that it looked likr the fire had started in the wiring. All of the front of the car burned out including the hood and someof the dash inside melted and the front windshild started to crack from the heat of the fire.
My car completely shuts down while driving. It has happened 4 separate occasions. The car has been serviced twice for this and the dealer's service dept is currently trying to determine the problem, but no results have arrived. This is a serious safety concern due to high potential of a fatal accident resulting by the car shutting off while driving creating no power steering or brakes. The dealer's service dept has supposedly fixed and/or replaced 2 separate parts that were the supposed culprits, but the problem continues. Incidents occurred in 2002, 2005, and 2006. This problem, as you can see by dates, is random and happens without any warning, such as "idiot" lights coming on prior or engine hesitation, and apparently is just as complicated to diagnose.
I have a 2000 Ford 3.8 liter Mustang. It has a vibration and covert Ford says its needs new motor. I bought this car new, took great care of motor, it just turned 70,000 miles. Covert says it has excessive end play on the crankshaft due to wear. I think I have an American-made problem. 70,000 miles???? Thanks for any help that you can give me. They want $4,600.00. I think Ford owes me most of that at the very least because I sure can't afford to fix it. You know its funny also because up to this point that car had never broken down and had never been in the shop . This is other than 15 oil changes two batteries and two sets of tires... I just think its not normal. Please help with suggestion.
Driving along when I heard a loud pop. Followed by loud popping and rattling sound when on. Found out after taking it to the shop it was a spark plug that has been shot out of the head. I don't know all of the right terminology for this but was told this is a common problem for these cars. If I had known this I would have never bought a Ford Mustang 2000 or any other Ford product. I will save all the parts for further investigation.
Electrical complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Ford Mustang, 6% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Mustang electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 10 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.