2001 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 173 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,588miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Mustang, 9% of the 173 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,588 miles. 2 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.
“The manual transmission is extremely difficult to shift from first to second gear when cold. This is a safety issue because I need to make a left turn onto a busy street when the car is cold. The difficulty in shifting has left me vulnerable as I can't accelerate as I intend and I am in danger of colliding with oncoming traffic that expects me to accelerate at a reasonable rate.”
NHTSA complaint #10503991, filed 2013-03, 500 miles“The main problem is the transmission failures. It has gone out three times all in the same manner. The car in bone stock and only has 13,800 miles on it. The third time a field district engineer supposedly examined it and said the the parts and workmanship appear to be fine with no flaws and declined my warranty claim. I have been through the dispute settlement board and the ks attorney general with no positive outcome. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070279, filed 2004-01, 4 miles“Where it shows how many miles it's digital and it constantly goes off. Smells of gasoline and like something is burning every time drive it. Has a very rough idle and when a /c is on the car has absolutely no power, also burns gas very quick. Exterior head lights lights are dim and I just installed new one yet still dim”
NHTSA complaint #11124181, filed 2018-09, 146,000 miles“2001 cobra has bad synchros and a bad gear. The Ford dealership stated that the car had more than one bad synchro and 2nd gear was bad. Only 20k miles on car. The headliner came down as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10204112, filed 2007-09, 20,675 miles“This is the 2nd Mustang 5spd transmission I have purchased through the dealership and Ford that has the same problem. Concerns of vibration felt through the seats,floor,and steering wheel while traveling at highway speeds! Being the 2nd vehicle, I have been battleing the dealership for a whole year and have just now been given the opportnity to meet with a Ford rep.the poblem has been overseen by a Ford tech. …”
NHTSA complaint #762861, filed 2002-06Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10011152Aug 9, 2004Tr3650 manual transmission - jumps out of gear 2nd and/or 3rd - clash noise and/or raspy feel on gear engagement.
Transmission 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 2001 Ford Mustang
26 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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