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 2005 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Ford did issue a recall for several issues for my car, including but not limited to, problems when filling gas tank with evaporative purge system as well as cavitation of the fuel pump in high heat conditions, the doors not closing all the way or handles remaining open( not flush with rest of door) when door is shut, driver's side door trim/bezel around power window switch making buzzing sounds when stereo is in use, as well as ticking sounds coming from motor during operation and various creaks and sounds from front suspension when cornering and going over uneven terrain, and the transmission, the 5r55s, has the known hard shift into gear caused by bad servo. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. While driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to switch gears, the clutch pedal was depressed and a crunch sound was heard. The clutch pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was switched to the neutral position and came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was inspected and a piece of plastic was found fractured into two parts on the floor of the vehicle under the clutch pedal. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang gt. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the transmission sensor and gear ratio were malfunctioning. The vehicle was driven back home. The following day, the transmission would not shift into gear unless it was shifted into low gears. The vehicle was later able to shift into higher gears. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 174,283.
Throttle body failed as I was driving at speed on the freeway. When it failed, the vehicle immediately went into idle mode which made it very dangerous to avoid traffic as I attempted to move onto the shoulder of the freeway. The car moved at no more than 5mph! The repair is very expensive. I feel that this part should not fail after just 76,000 miles. Attached is the repair bill.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. While driving 35 MPH, a piece on the clutch of the vehicle fractured. The contact was unable to switch gears. The failure almost caused a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Initial problems: 1. Pin strip on driver side was peeling off 2. A/C vent fell out of console 3. Convertible top got stuck in the down position. Stopped by closest dealer because I was on vacation and we pulled the top back up. Brought it to a local dealer for repairs and they said it was not covered under warranty because the entire convertible top frame was twisted. They stated this was because I most likely had driven while the top was half way up/down. After several weeks Ford engineers decided to cover the repairs for the top. Took the dealer five weeks to get all parts and replace the top. 4. Gas tank replaced because gas pumps would constantly cut off while refueling. 5. A/C makes popping noise every once in while. Current issues: 1. Noise in front end while turning at slow speeds 2. …
(1 and 2) the manual transmission on the vehicle has intermittent problems where it will not go into gear (up-shifting). Regardless of type of driving (fuel efficient, hard driving), the vehicle will lock out of the next gear. For example, from first to 2nd gear. The transmission will go approximately half-way into gear and stop. The result is an inability to continue accelerating. The vehicle must be taken out of the locked gear, put in neutral, clutch released and re-engaged, then shifted back into the previously attempted gear (2nd gear in the current example). Possible results of this incident include accidents and injury. I have almost been rear-ended several times. (3) the vehicle has been taken into service twice for the issue. The first time (June '05), the dealership adjusted the linkage resulting in no change. …
I have a 2005 Ford Mustang with 18000 miles on it. A week before the 18,000 mile service a check engine light came on, it was discovered that codes p-2004, p-2005 were present and a TSB from Ford, # 06-7-10 were present. This is a problem that is known by Ford, but unless you are under warranty or have an extended warranty, Ford will not help. The problem is the motion control valves and throttle linkage. The linkage can become damaged and cause the vehicle to loose acceleration or for the accelerator to get stuck during acceleration and to fail to stop causing the vehicle to accelerate out of control. This is a design flaw in the vehicle and there is nothing that I could of done to prevent it as it is built and sold by Ford motor corporation. …
In heavy city traffic, stepped on gas to accelerate, car would not go. Kept giving gas would finally respond. Did this several times in one day. Next time we tried to drive it "engine safe mode" light came on and car would not accelerate at all. Through research and talking to others determined that it is the throttle body (drive by wire) a known problem with some Ford vehicles. Talked to the Ford dealer where we bought the car and the service person we spoke to told us it would be covered by Ford's extended warranty in response to csp 13n03. Took the car in today for appointment and they said it was not covered by that extended warranty and that consumer satisfaction program 13n03 did not pertain to a Mustang. Does not seem right to us that our car would not be covered when research has shown that Mustang's have had the same problem and the same "drive by wire" system. …
Dt: 2005 Ford Mustang gt -had an electrical system problem which resulted in a crash. While turning off of the highway into a residential area the transmission malfunctioned causing uncontrollable acceleration. The brakes were appliedbut the vehicle continued to accelerate. The front brakes did not stop the vehicle. The vehicle went into a clock wise spin. The car turned onto the driver's side and then hit a tree. What happened next was that the electrical system was still acting strange, the trunk opened and trying to close it back down the lights came off and on. The door locks would lock and unlock by themselves. The vehicle had $6,300 worth of damage. The dealership did not assist the consumer with anything. The vehicle was purchased on August 29, 2005 as a new vehicle which only had 72 miles on it. Upon impact the airbags did not deploy and the fuel cut off switch did not activate. …
Transmission complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Mustang, 4% of the model year's 868 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Mustang transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Ford Mustang, though it has 5 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 2005 Ford Mustang transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 48% 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.