FORD MUSTANG GT · model year

2000 FORD MUSTANG GT

71 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000FORDMUSTANG GT carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 MUSTANG GT is engine and engine cooling:engine with 8 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (8) and vehicle speed control (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2000 MUSTANG GT, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

71
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

71 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
SEAT BELTS5
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
AIR BAGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
SEATS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM1

Recalls (1)

00V35500003/11/2000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L ENGINES. A COOLANT FLOW BLOCKAGE EXISTS AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HEATER CORE NIPPLE RESULTING IN NO COOLANT FLOW TO THE HEATER AND, THEREFORE, NO WARM AIR FLOW FROM THE HEATER OR WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER. VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION DO NOT CO

Recent Complaints

20181107CrashAIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME, AS IT WAS FAILING TO RETURN TO DEFAULT POSITION PROPERLY. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, AFTER I WAS REAR ENDED (IT WAS FAILING TO RETRACT AGAIN AT THE TIME, IDENTICAL TO THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY), AND CRUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS AT A FULL STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THAT CRASH DEPLOYED BOTH AIRBAGS. THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THAT CRASH, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THOSE TWO REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WERE MADE BY TAKATA. THE SEAT BELT HAS AGAIN BECOME "UNSAFE" DUE TO IT NOT RETRACTING. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE SEAT BELT WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IF I'M INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT! THIS LEAVES ME WITH TWO QUESTIONS: DO I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR, AND, IS THIS SEAT BELT ISSUE A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED OR AT LEAST HAS A TSB ISSUED? THIS IS AN 18 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I

Mileage: 100,000

20181107CrashSEAT BELTS

TAKATA RECALL. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME, AS IT WAS FAILING TO RETURN TO DEFAULT POSITION PROPERLY. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, AFTER I WAS REAR ENDED (IT WAS FAILING TO RETRACT AGAIN AT THE TIME, IDENTICAL TO THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY), AND CRUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS AT A FULL STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THAT CRASH DEPLOYED BOTH AIRBAGS. THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THAT CRASH, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THOSE TWO REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WERE MADE BY TAKATA. THE SEAT BELT HAS AGAIN BECOME "UNSAFE" DUE TO IT NOT RETRACTING. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE SEAT BELT WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IF I'M INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT! THIS LEAVES ME WITH TWO QUESTIONS: DO I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR, AND, IS THIS SEAT BELT ISSUE A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED OR AT LEAST HAS A TSB ISSUED? THIS IS AN 18 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I

Mileage: 100,000

20180814CrashAIR BAGS

AIR BAG NON DEPLOYMENT!!!

Mileage: 177,000

20180813SEAT BELTS

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. MY FRIEND TOOK OFF HIS SEAT BELT AND AS IT WAS RETRACTING, IT LOCKED. I TRIED TO PULL ON IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD UNLOCK AND IT WILL NOT BUDGE ONE BIT. IT IS LOCKED ABOUT HALF WAYS.

Mileage: 106,012

20180526ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL

Mileage: 1,854,635

20180526ENGINE

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. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL

Mileage: 1,854,635

20180526SEAT BELTS

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. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL

Mileage: 1,854,635

20170725ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 125,000

20170614UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PI INTAKE IS CRACKED AND IT IS MADE OF PASTIC AND I ONLY GOT 42500MILES IN THE CAR I EXPECT TO GET REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURY

Mileage: 42,500

20140930ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 59,000

20131008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 140,000

20121015FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FILLER NECK TUBE LEAKING DURING FUEL FILLUP. FILLER TUBE SEAL CRACKED IN HALF. UPON INSPECTION OF RUST DAMAGE TO FILLER TUBE, THE RUST WAS SO BAD THAT THE TUBE LITERALLY CRUMBLED IN HALF. *TR

Mileage: 170,021

20121005ENGINE

THE IAC ON MY NEW MUSTANG WENT BAD. AT FIRST FORD WOULDN'T COVER IT BUT THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 90 DAYS OLD. THE ONE THEY INSTALLED WENT BAD AFTER 10 DAYS ALSO AND SO DID THE FOLLOWING ONE AFTER 90 DAYS. THE LAST ONE WENT BAD JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY WENT UP AND NOW I KEEP A SPARE AND CHANGE IT ABOUT ONE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20121005SEAT BELTS

FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTION DOESN'T RETRACT. IT STOPPED RETRACTING AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE FRONT SEAT BELT CONTINUE TO NON-RETRACT SO THEY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOORS AND CHIP PAINT AND CAUSE PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20120208ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 100,500

20111115ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20110913ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

20100930ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 87,000

20100909FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TUBE NET IS RUSTING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE GAS TANK WHENEVER IT IS FILLED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE TANKS ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83000.

Mileage: 82,000

20100831ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 127,000

Compare 2000FORDMUSTANG GT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT have?
The 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT has 71 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT?
Yes, the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT?
The most-complained component for the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.