The Lemon Index2000 Ford Mustang.
The 2000 Ford Mustang is worse than average by owner complaints: 228 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 119, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 393 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 98K miles on the car (161 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 57K–99K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 45K–100K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 45K–100K miles
Recalls 10
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 10 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- visibility 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L ENGINES.
- parking brake 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.
- seat belts 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Experiencing a popping or oil canning noise coming from the drivers footwell area
- Brief information stating that engineering is investigating coupe or convertible vehicles…
- Check engine light
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Rear differential produces a whinning noise at speeds of between 55-60 mph. Five other new 2000 mustangs were driven and all produced the same whinning noise.
2000 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 721857
More owner reports
While traveling and shifting gears vehicle gets stuck in reverse. Conusmer has to turn vehicle off to shift gears. Dealer and manufacturer has been contacted. Please provide further information.
NHTSA complaint 879920
When applying brakes at any speed, vehicle pulls to left or right. This has happened several times. Dealer has replaced front brakes and tires, but problem still exists.
NHTSA complaint 8012468
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Ford Mustang reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2000 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (18%), brakes (18%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Mustang have?
10 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,500 and 98,400 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 161 complaints.
Does the 2000 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Ford Mustang have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2021 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works