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 2006 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving the car goes into limp mode randomly causing the RPM's to fall. There is no power to get off the road safely and has almost caused an accident numerous times. I have had Diagnostics ran and the mechanic has no clue what's causing this. Ford forums are full of these mustangs doing this. It is a huge safely risk!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. While driving various speeds, the contact smelled burning rubber from underneath the vehicle, and the transmission shifted hard. The vehicle was taken to autonation Ford brooksville (7200 broad st, brooksville, fl 34601) where it was diagnosed that the clutch was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred numerous times in the past. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 77,000.
In my Ford Mustang and many other Ford Mustang thta iv come across from the 2005-2007 era the automatic transmission always seems to have a slipping problem. When u stop and try to change gears the car stutters and even take up to 4 sec to change gear even when the driver only uses the car as an everyday comute. No racing, drifting or heave presseure put on the transmission yet they still go bad and start to slip consistantly even when the car doesnt have alot of miles on it. Most of the time less than 60,000.
In city traffic at a stop light, went to step on the gas to accelerate, the engine started extreme shaking & the car would not go. Shut off the engine & restarted it. The wrench light & check engine light came on the dashboard and car went into limp mode & lost all acceleration. After multiple attempts at restarting, the car was not drivable. Had the car towed to the dealership, advised service rep of consumer satisfaction program 13n03 & was informed that Ford will not honor the program for 2006 Mustang.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. While driving various speeds, the vehicle independently shifted gears without warning. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I was at a stop getting ready to merge with traffic when the car just died. I restarted the car but it ran real ruff I barely got off the road. I had to towe the car home it's the throttle -by-wire this system needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Thanks lee
Driving on interstate the car lost power momentarily and then resumed normal driving. Within a few miles the vehicle began making a loud noise which sounded like a flat tire. Upon beginning to move to side of road, tapped brakes and vehicle began rocking, shaking and screaming with metal on metal noise. Vehicle was rocking front to back and fishtailing side to side. Vehicle lost all power steering and had no brakes. Upon disengaging brake, vehicle continued to make metal on metal noise, but was coasting with little steering. I was able to maneuver the vehicle onto an exit ramp, but upon nearing the end of the ramp I had to tap brakes again causing car to skid sideways, lock up and violently come to a stop. Upon exiting the vehicle I saw a large part of the car on the ground, glowing orange. This proved to be the drive shaft. …
I was stopped at a light when my wrench light came on. I tried to drive but my vehicle was jerking really bad. I prayed driving down the access road that I would just make it to the dealership 10 miles away. I pulled in shut the vehicle off. They kept my car overnight and when I picked it up the next day they could not find anything wrong with it and when they turned it on no wrench light. One week later, my car did this again...except this time I left my vehicle on so they could see the wrench light. They replaced the fuel pump...faulty. Only had 20,000 miles on my 2006 Mustang v6. Now it is nov. And my manual transmission is gone. After owning 6 standard vehicles this is the first time I have ever had a clutch go out. Dealership said I got the last part in the us...backordered till March 2008. …
On 5/18/06 I drove from branson, mo to kansas city, mo. I stayed in kansas city till Sunday only doing in town driving the four days three nights I was there. During the trip home Sunday mid-day I was averaging between 65 and 70 MPH on the highway. After about 45 minutes into the drive home I approached a stop light. After about a 45 second stop at the light I went to accelerate. As I shifted into second gear the car drove normal for about 35-40 seconds, suddenly lost power then jolted forward. I encountered this sporadic jolting four times during my drive home. Twice in second gear and twice in fourth. Three out of four time nearly causing an accident. This seems to be a recurring problem with these particular vehicles according to my personal research. I don't feel as though these vehicles are safe to drive under any circumstance. …
Took delivery of Mustang premium convertible (v6) on 1/6/2006. Drove home 17 miles. While accelerating from a full stop and turning onto side street, the engine appeared to accelerate and then stopped in the middle of the turn in the middle of oncoming traffic. Fortunately no accident occurred. During subsequent drives, engine appears to accelerate from a full stop but then stalls. If accelerator is pressed quickly enough, the engine does not stop; however, it May exhibit the stall a second time. Dealer indicates that no information is recorded on computer indicating reason for failure. They cannot duplicate the failure. Next step is to install a "black box" to record event activity during the stall. This does not occur when the engine is cold. It also is very intermittent but, if it is going to happen, it will be following a full stop. I do not feel safe in this vehicle. …
Transmission complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Mustang, 7% of the model year's 575 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Mustang transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 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 2006 Ford Mustang transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.