Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 contact owns a 1965 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly reversed on an incline of a parking lot and struck another parked unoccupied vehicle. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was not designed with air bags. The vehicle sustained fenders, bumpers, and paint damage. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had unintendedly shifted from park(P) to reverse(R). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The VIN was not available.
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
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).
As I was driving and reached 30 MPH it sounded like the transmission would not shifting to the next gear. It made a screeching noise and would not pass 30 MPH mean while the RPM was to 8. Then it jumped and passed 30 MPH. This happened every time it reached 30 MPH. The automatic transmission was slow to shift. This 2000 Mustang only has 40,000 miles!!- and I was told by Ford that the transmission was damaged--on top of that the warranty does not cover the $1,600 cost. I've heard a lot of the same complaint about Ford Mustang 's transmission. For a 3 year old Mustang we should not have to pay for a defected transmission !!!!even thought the warranty has expired -- Ford should help cover the cost.
2000 Ford Mustang convertible.after leasing the new car for 3yrs,we decided to buy. The car was at 50K miles.it is now at 61K miles. Beginning feb.20th 2004,the clutch made a horrible sound when engaged.not covered by Ford extended warranty purchased at time of sale.buisiness mgr. At jack schmitt Ford in collinsville,il said," cars aren't built to last forever".this vehichle is only 4yrs. Old.it is driven gingerly by a responsible 55yr. Old rn.I know cars are not made to last forever,but you would think the clutch would last a bit longer than 4yrs. Driven properly. We have also noticed that the car seems to shimmie at 60 to 68 MPH.
In order to shift my 2000 Mustang gt into reverse, I have to first shift the car into first gear as the reverse gear is not synchronized. The dealership it was bought from claims that this is a known issue with this model year but the issue is not stated in the manual and I have never been informed otherwise. Further, even though I shift the car into first before going to reverse, I still have difficulty getting the stick into reverse periodically. The process is inconvenient - why should I have to shift into two gears just to get to the one I want?
I bought a 2000 Ford Mustang and three days later I noticed the shift indicator position marker on the floor was not showing what gear the car was in. This could cause an accident during day and most likely during night driving and could also cause tranmission problems not being able to see the gear shift position. I took it to the Ford dealer and they installed a new bezel asy-transmission and it works fine now, but a car that's only four years should not happen and I have never had a car that the shift indicator marker has broken.
Tl- the contact owns a 2000 Ford Mustang. The contact detected a substantial amount of transmission fluid leaking from the vehicle. The failure recurred when the vehicle was being driven or stationary. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who expressed concerns to the contact of a potential fire as a result of the failure and advised that the transmission would possibly need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000. Kmj
Hard to shift into first gear of neutral from a stopped position on the v6 manual transmission on the 2000 Ford Mustang, also paint is bubbling and cracking on roof in multiple spots, have seen same problem with paint posted for all models Ford from 2000-20005.
From purchase, had problem with noises eminnating, we thought, from the transmission. Also, under certain circumstances, usually after downshifting from 5th to 4th and then accelerating, will jump out of 4th gear. But, biggest concern has been a terrific vibration from beneath the car and in the console which, on one occasion, displaced the plastic cover on the instrument panel. Took vehicle to various Ford dealers in carson city and reno, nevada and stateline, ca. Although noise obvious, dealers unable to duplicate problem. Several months ago, the noise became very loud, at which time a dealer replaced parts, unknown, in the differential. We continued to have the same problems and more recently, the Ford dealership in carson city found a "technical" which covered a clutch problem. …
Transmission complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Ford Mustang, 11% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Mustang transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.