Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Mustang gt. The contact stated that the engine intake manifold failed. The vehicle was towed to jan ja service center (5771 main street trumbull, ct, 06611 phone: [phone]), but was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's voluntary recall (0s34) for the replacement of the intake manifold. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.
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.
Is a big problem shifting in a gear after in first gear starts to sputter and shake believe it's the transmission manual 5-speed also engine overheating and knocking sounds vibrations coming from engine compartment brakes have always been shaky even if applied slowly and softly
March 30, 2007 to whom it May concern: I have a 2000 Ford Mustang gt-while driving home today 3/30/07 in heavy traffic, I heard a load pop, and then lost engine function. I was lucky that I was not killed. When I checked my engine, it had blown the spark plug-I thought this was an isolated problem until I checked on the internet, and read all of the incidents with fords "spitting" spark plugs. I think it is horrific that Ford will not stand behind their product and do the right thing-"recall"-how many will have to die before Ford acknowledges there is a problem with their automobiles blowing spark plugs. I will say that as the owner of multiple Ford mustangs including 65, 66, 67, 70, 98, 2000 (still have them all). …
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. …
Driving down interstate when started smelling antifreeze. Thought it was coming from a car in front of me. All gauges were fine with no indication of an engine problem. I drove for several miles before I began to notice engine trouble. By this point all the water had been pumped out of the motor. All engine gauges continued to read fine. After pulling off side of the road and diagnosing the problem I discovered that the heater hose outlet on top of fords plastic intake had broke off. In order to fix this issue you have to replace the entire intake. This could have been much worse as when I stopped I could have been burned, also when I finally noticed it was my car smoke was filling the interior through the heater vents. I still don't know if the motor is alright as it severely overheated. Bare minimum is over 800 to fix if there is no motor damage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Mustang gt. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle began to overheat and steam was escaping from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the plastic riser on the back side of the manifold and the heater hose were fractured and water was leaking from the heater hose. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to attach the hose back onto the vehicle. In addition, the intake gasket was leaking anti freeze and water where the manifold was attached to the cylinder heads. The mechanic advised that the intake manifold was fractured and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Ford designed the A/C drain line located above the right exhaust pipe leading to the catalytic converter on the 3.8 liter v6 engine. The cold condensation from the A/C dripping onto the pipe causes the pipe to crack or in some cases causes the catalytic converter to rupture or crack. This is an expensive repair. I know of 3 people in my business that this has happened to in just the past 6 months. One case the converter had to be replaced and in the other 2 the exhaust pipe had to be removed and welded at the cracks. Stainless steel pipes are welded different then the old steel pipes and require a special welding technique and equipment driving up the cost of the repair. This crack left unattended could lead to carbon monoxide entering the cockpit area.
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.
I am about to install, for the third time, a second day air pump into my 2000 Ford Mustang. This is an emissions part and the Mustang is designed to pass california emission standards. I live in wisconsin and this part has gone out 3 times. Also it can only be purchased directly from Ford for around 300 dollars. It always manages to make it just past the part warranty period then goes out. Ford will not do anything to help me except take more of my money. I looked into it and they only used this part in 1999-2000 mustangs and Lincoln 2000-2001. I can not find a recall on it but there is obviously a problem. Ford will not respond to my inquiries and I am not sure what else I can do.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Engine complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Ford Mustang, 17% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Mustang engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.