KnownCarProblems2013 Ford Mustang Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 271 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Mustang, most often about the air bags (54% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2013 Ford Mustang problems
Air bags
145 complaints · 54%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v319000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
I received a recall notice on my Mustang's airbags five months ago. Ford has now followed up on the original recall notice, nor will they fix the problem when I take it to a dealership. I am very much worried about the safety of my vehicle.
Transmission
48 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
My vehicle is doing the exact same thing as this recall #19s07 - 6r80 transmission unexpected downshift into 1st gear. My VIN says there is no recall yet it is happening to my car on a semi regular basis 2-3 times per week. I do not have the money to take it to my local Ford dealer and feel this VIN should be recalled…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly. The transmission warning light, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…
Engine
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that throttle position system failed and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the orange wrench warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose acceleration even as the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact had to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was…
Speed control
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
After having my car for 5.5 years, it started to shift gears on its own (it's an automatic) and brake/stall when I'm going low speeds. Especially when I'm at a stop light or stop sign, it will not allow me to accelerate (been stuck in middle of intersections about 5 times) even with my foot on the accelerator. The…
The electronic throtle body control has to be replaced because the engine accelerator quits working and the engine runs at idle but there is no acceleration when you step on the accelerator pedal. This has happened when I stop at a signal or stop sign and then attempt to continue driving, and I have been stuck in the…
Electrical
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
I was driving down I-35 in the arbuckle mountains in oklahoma going 70mph when my car suddenly disengaged the cruise control and downshifted to first gear. It felt like the brakes were being applied forcefully and then the car returned to driving normally. This happened two more times until I was able to pull off on…
After having my car for 5.5 years, it started to shift gears on its own (it's an automatic) and brake/stall when I'm going low speeds. Especially when I'm at a stop light or stop sign, it will not allow me to accelerate (been stuck in middle of intersections about 5 times) even with my foot on the accelerator. The…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact called a local dealer (spikes Ford located at 805 e interstate highway 2 mission ,tx 78572) who informed him to bring them the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified…
For 5 months our 2013 Ford Mustang has been shutting off in traffic. The car was taken back to the dealer five times and not fixed yet. The mechanic put the car on the computer and error code p2111 shows up, but when taken back to dealer they cleared the code and said nothing was wrong.
Fuel system
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles.
Vehicle lost power while driving, engine wrench light came on, made rattling noise but still idling. After full shutdown and restart, engine appeared to work fine. Dealer determined throttle body defective, similar to other Ford vehicle throttle body issues which had recent recalls and warranty extensions, however…
Vehicle lost power while driving, engine wrench light came on, driveable but only in "limp" mode. After restart, engine appeared to work fine, however, same issue reoccurred several more times and continues to happen-similar to other Ford vehicle throttle body recalls. Major safety issue as complete vehicle shutdown…
Steering
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
I'm a long time Ford owner. In july, 2017 the electronic power steering on my 2013 Mustang gt which had less than 40k miles, malfunctioned which in turn resulted in the loss of traction control, ABS and other electronic assist functions. After being informed that my warranty was expire, I was quoted over $2.2k.…
My Mustang has the same exact same problem with the steering as the fusion and taurus which are currently on recall..... Intermittent power steering loss due to an intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear...I would like the NHTSA to look into including the 2013 Mustang in this recall.. My Mustang only…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Ford Mustang recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 17, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s05.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 mustang, 2004-2011 ranger, 2009-2011 mercury milan, 2006 ford gt, 2008-2012 fusion, 2007-2010 edge and lincoln mkx, and 2009-2010 lincoln mkz vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 13, 2019. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19s01.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2014 ford mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, ford is recalling certain 2011 ford ranger and mercury milan vehicles, 2011-2012 ford fusion and lincoln zephyr/mkz vehicles and 2011-2014 ford mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." ford is also recalling certain 2010 ford edge and lincoln mkx vehicles, 2010-2011 ford ranger and mercury mi
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s01.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013 ford mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, ford is recalling certain 2010 ford edge, fusion, mustang and ranger, lincoln mkx and zephyr/mkz, and mercury milan vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." ford is also recalling certain 2009 ford edge, fusion, mustang and ranger, lincoln mkx and zephyr/mkz, and mercury milan vehicles ever registered in the st
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on june 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14v-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s21. Note: this recall supersedes safety recall 14v-802.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 mustang vehicles manufactured april 6, 2004, to june 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 gt vehicles manufactured february 20, 2004, to september 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Lights: back up lights
Risk: If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicleâs not signaling it is in reverse.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ford f-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Ford Mustang
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Mustang?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (145 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); transmission (48 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles); engine (23 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Mustang have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 16, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Ford Mustang?
- It is 11th of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints, with 271 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.