1996 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 10%of 246 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Ford Mustang, 10% of the 246 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had several reoccurring problems including 2 transmission failures. The transmission is an aod automatic, and it still doesn't shift correctly. If passing gear is engaged, then car's rpms shoot up and it shifts down to too low of a gear. I have replaced 2 water pumps that were leaking. I have replaced a sway bar that broke while driving down a flat road. There is a whinning sound that comes from either the pulleys or the crankshaft. In hot weather the car will act like it is running out of gas when accelerating even when the tank is full. …”
NHTSA complaint #749104, filed 2001-07“Was driving vehicle & felt transmission slipping. Had returned to dealer who refused to repair it. Later had cruise control on & vehicle suddenly accelerated. Applied brakes shut it off, but did not stop it. Turned vehicle off & restarted it. Vehicle has no air bags. Vehicle had a 1998 front repair done, but no accident had happened.”
NHTSA complaint #850789, filed 1999-10“Purchased car used with 28,232. Today, 9/5 after returning from vacation, travelling at least 280 miles - going thru 1-1/2 tanks of gas, car registers 28,332. Trip odometer only 7 (reset at fill-up). Noticed trip had said 90 at last fill-up. That's when noticed a problem and watched. Carfax report shows last mileage 24,143 8/99 then registered in alabama 10/99 - no mileage. Back in ca 8/00 where I purchased it. Have not contacted dealer yet. Want to know options first.”
NHTSA complaint #730270, filed 2000-09“Consumer was attempting to pull out of a parking lot and upon acceleration the rear axle separated, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in the axle separating from the vehicle. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #818729, filed 1997-11“Vehicle was put into park, turned off engine . Within 2 min vehicle popped out of gear from park into neutral causing vehicle to roll off the driveway hitting a power transformer located across the street.”
NHTSA complaint #841189, filed 1999-06Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% |
| 2025 | 3 | 15% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 8% |
| 2021 | 9 | 16% |
| 2020 | 26 | 21% |
| 2019 | 28 | 18% |
| 2018 | 46 | 23% |
| 2017 | 22 | 8% |
| 2016 | 29 | 8% |
| 2015 | 42 | 10% |
| 2014 | 30 | 8% |
| 2013 | 48 | 18% |
| 2012 | 177 | 38% |
| 2011 | 200 | 43% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 30 | 9% |
| 2007 | 35 | 6% |
| 2006 | 32 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% |
| 2003 | 15 | 10% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 16 | 9% |
| 2000 | 40 | 13% |
| 1999 | 25 | 12% |
| 1998 | 21 | 9% |
| 1997 | 29 | 16% |
| 1996 | 25 | 10% |
| 1995 | 57 | 9% |
| 1994 | 50 | 14% |
| 1993 | 5 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 9% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Mustang
82 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsTires
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology