2002 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Mustang, 6% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was pulled over by police when accelerator stuck, he thought I was lying so I contacted d.a. And ticket reduced to bad muffler....right! Took auto to dealership and were unable to duplicate problem. Car also shakes badly at speeds above 45mph, all the time. Private garage stated problem not with suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #10272947, filed 2009-06, 23,000 miles“Manual transmission sticks, it won't go into to gear or come out of gear. Especially first, second, and reverse. We have been stuck in traffic and not been able to get our car into first gear. I have at times, had to spend 5 minutes trying to get our car in reverse. Already caused one accident, and many more near misses. Also ticking/rattling noise coming from clutch at all times. Dealership is completely unhelpful. They say they can't duplicate the problem so their is no problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10066031, filed 2004-04, 20,000 miles“Transmission will drag on deceleration and then freewheel. Example: going 60 MPH, taking foot off accelerator the car will freewheel until it hits 50 MPH, the transmission then engages, like the brakes were put on lightly, at 40 MPH the transmission disengages and the car than freewheels again. A vibration is felt in the drivers seat when the transmission engages( at 50 MPH ) and is more pronounced at higher speeds. This has been a continuous action since the car was purchased. I have had it to the dealer 3 or 4 times and I am told there is nothing wrong, that is how the transmission works. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080916, filed 2004-07, 200 miles“Consumer stated vehicle the vehicle accelerated without warning. Dealer notified. . The consumer stated there was aloud noise when the vehicle was placed in any gear and then the vehicle jerked. The consumer also believed the speedometer was not working correctly. The rear view mirror was loose, the tail light lens had condensation, the window seal trim came off and the windows made up when up or down.”
NHTSA complaint #10031267, filed 2003-08“Car stalls occasionally while coasting and clutch is pressed to the floor. Car has become very dangerous to drive due to the fact that it could die at anytime and it looses power steering and breaking becomes very sluggish. Don reid Ford (maitland, florida) says nothing is wrong with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #762890, filed 2002-06Related service bulletins
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 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 2002 Ford Mustang
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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