There are 50 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2000 Ford Mustangin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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: 203-261-3249), 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. STEAM ROLLED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL COMPONENTS ARE DAMAGED. RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND THAT FORD CORRECTED THIS IN SUBSEQUENT MODELS BY CHANGING MANIFOLD TO ALUMINUM FROM THE PLASTIC. FORD WILL NOT HONOR RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT MY VEHICLE ISN'T ON THE RECALL DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR CONTAINS THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MILES PR HR. THE CAR STARTED BANGING. I SLOWED DOWN THE NOISE WASN'T AS LOUD. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, CUT THE CAR OFF, IT WOULDN'T CRANK BACK. THE MECHANIC SAID THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND SINCE THE MOTOR WAS CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY SERVICE LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE PLASTIC TRANSITION PIECE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO FILL FOUR OF THE SPARK PLUG WELLS AND CAUSING THE CAR TO MISS VERY BADLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE INTAKES AND A RECALL IS IN PLACE FOR SOME OF THEM. MINE IS THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE RECALLED ONES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED ONES BUT NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
SO I THOUGHT I HAD A SIMPLE THERMOSTAT ISSUE. WENT TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT AND NOTICED THE MANIFOLD HOUSING (PLASTIC) HAD A NICE CRACK IN IT. WHEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS, I NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS/INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN. POOR MANUFACTURE DESIGN WITH NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF FAILURE THAT RESULT IN UNNECESSARY HIGH REPAIR COSTS PLACED ON THE CONSUMER. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS! *TR
THE SPARK PLUG IS POPPING OUT OF THE SOCKET , THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE REPLACE ONCE ALREADY WITH IN THE YEAR. ALSO THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF ON THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER FORD CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM , WHY IS IT THAT NO ONE CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM. SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD. *TR
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.
SON DROVE HIS 2000 FORD MUSTANG IN MORNING (NO PROBLEMS) WENT OUT THAT NIGHT TO GO OUT AND THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER. HE SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. HAD VEH TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AND THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND FILL 6 OF THE 8 CYLINDERS WITH FUEL. ENGINE WITH 87000 MILES ON IT IS COMPLETELY SHOT. NEEDS A NEW MOTOR. VEH STILL AT DEALERSHIP TORN DOWN. *TR
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. *TR
I HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MY 2000 GT MUSTANG 4.6L ENGINE. FORD CHARGED ABOUT $350 FOR PARTS/REPAIR AND SAID IT WAS RARE BUT I HAVE BEEN READING WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2000 MUSTANG GT BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. THIS ENGINE HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM FORD TO REPLACE MORE FIRST ENGINE AFTER 160,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 2ND ENGINE FORD SENT TO REPLACE MY OLD ENGINE. THE 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG ON INITIAL STARTUP IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *TR
MY 2000 MUSTANG GT, WITH THE 4.6 ENGINE AND WITH 80,000 MILES, EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. JUST THE SOUND OF THIS (A BIG "BANG!" WHEN THE PLUG HITS THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE NOW MISFIRING, RUNNING ON 7 CYLINDERS) IS ENOUGH TO DISTRACT THE BEST DRIVER AND ALONG WITH THE LOST OF POWER IS AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER BEING ALMOST REAR ENDED, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A PARKING LOT NEARBY THAT MY CAR BARELY COASTED TO. THE PLUG CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND WAS LAYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WITH THE COIL STILL ATTACHED. I UNDERSTAND FROM FORD, THERE IS ONLY 3 TO 4 THREADS, IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, THAT HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN. AS ANYONE WITH ANY ENGINEERING OR ENGINE KNOWLEDGE WOULD KNOW, 3 - 4 THREADS ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO SECURE A SPARK PLUG IN A CYLINDER HEAD WITH THE COMPRESSION PRESSURE OF THE PISTON. THIS IS CLEARLY A ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE DISASTROUS EFFECTS IF MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME LUCK PLAYED INTO IT (WITH A PARKING LOT NEARBY), BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME? AM I SUPPOSE TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE MY CHANCES? A PLUG BLOWS OUT AND THERE ISN'T ANYWHERE TO PARK AND/OR THE PLUG ALSO TAKES OUT THE FUEL RAIL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. AS I STATED ABOVE: AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD V8 ENGINES MADE FROM 1997-98 TO 2003. I'M REALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY THERE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL INVOLVING THESE ENGINES. IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, I'M HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MISTAKE. WHY SHOULDN'T FORD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH? THE NHTSA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL INVOLVING THESE FORD ENGINES. ANY NHTSA ACTION SHORT OF A RECALL IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE. THE NHTSA IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE PUBLIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FORD ENGINE DEFECT. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DESERVES NOTHING LESS. *TR
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. *TR
APPARENT HEAD GASKET LEAK - LOOSING COOLANT THROUGH EXHAUST ON 2000 MUSTANG WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH MID 90'S 3.8 FORD ENGINES AND STILL SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE. *TR
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. *TR
PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT. PART WAS REPLACED BY SANDERSON FORD IN GLENDALE AZ ON AUGUST 3, 2007 AT A COST OF $1406.01. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IN REGARDS TO THESE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLDS BUT I AM OUTSIDE OF THE PERIOD OF WHICH IT WAS IN FORCE, BUT I FEEL THAT PERIOD WAS TOO SHORT AS MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON NOVEMBER 18, 1999 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *JB
I NOTICED AN EXHAUST LEAK FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. TURNS OUT THE WELD THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE REST OF THE EXHAUST HAS FAILED, IT IS NOW BEING HELD UP BY EXHAUST HANGERS AND METAL STRAPPING, UNTIL IT WILL BE REPAIRED. *JB
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON THE 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L MODULAR ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER, BACK FIRE, AND HAD A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL / OIL. HAD TO TOW VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. 91000 MILES ON ENGINE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON FORD MODULAR ENGINES 1999-2003. *AKI
FAULTY PARTS THAT WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ALL INVOLVED...THEREFORE, THEY HID FROM TELLING SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE CARS WITH THIS FAULTY PART...PER FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE NOTICES ONLY WENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS...NOT TRUE MY OTHER FORD HAD A RECALL AND I REC'D THAT INFO AND I WASN'T THE FIRST OWNER...THEY ARE HIDING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES...*JB
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026