2008 ford mustang 6 cylinder automatic, no previous slipping, or hint of problem at all. Parked fine locked next day, started put in reverse, backed out of space pulled shifting from reverse to drive, and nothing it is like being in neutral, engine reeves but no engagement of drive at all. 1st and second below drive shift is loose and can flop up and down with one finger?

SOURCE: 1994 Ford Ranger won't shift into drive

In 9 out of 10 cases when I see this problem in the ranger, it is the planetary gear in the transmission. It is made of the cheapest metal available. It breaks usually from going to park before the truck stops or switching from reverse to drive while still rolling. Just a Idea , But I hope it isn't that . Reverse will work fine for a while, and have no forward gears.

SOURCE: i lost my third gear

It seems in the manual transmissions the first gear to go is 3rd gear..
signs of a failing trans

SOURCE: automatic transmission wont catch into any gear

You sould have been moore frequent on your transmission fluid changes, and you shouldn't have taken it to Jiffy Lube either. Your best bet is to drain and fill the trans fluid run it shift gears. Drain and fill again. Do this 3 times. Yeah the transmission fluid is expensive. on the last drain and fill you want to get a bottle of LUBE GUARD from NAPA or who ever sells it. put the whole 10oz bottle in. Shift Rev, 1, 2, 3, D. Neutral Rev D. If that don't work then you have bad seals.

SOURCE: car will not shift into gear

Sounds like a linkage/cable to me. Disconnect the linkage at the transmission and move the shift actuator by hand to see if there is the same things happening. Don't try to do this with the engine running unless someone is holding the brake inside the car.

SOURCE: shift lever is loose and won't shift

Yes you can repair it your self, check under the dash where the trans cable hooks to the shift lever, where the eye of the cable hooks on there are two screws, if these are loose the truck will still shift but the free play makes slack and the cable will not move all the way. If this piece is not loose you will have to lower the steering column and check this shaft, they are know to split in two and with the column down they are easy to change.