2013 Ford Mustang Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Mustang, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags14546.6%
- Powertrain (other)4614.8%
- Driver assistance237.4%
- Engine237.4%
- Electrical185.8%
- Fuel system113.5%
- Steering103.2%
- Body & structure82.6%
- Suspension61.9%
- Brakes51.6%
- Seat belts41.3%
- Other / unspecified31.0%
- Tires & wheels31.0%
- Transmission31.0%
- Exterior lighting20.6%
- Visibility10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another driver failed to yield while entering the roadway, abruptly cutting in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear driver's side passenger door of the other vehicle. The driver's side air bag did deploy but failed to inflate, which the contact related to the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact did not immediately seek medical attention but later transported himself to an area hospital and was treated for a concussion, neck pain, and back pain. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer declined to perform the recall repairs. The contact was informed that, because of the installation of an aftermarket steering wheel, the recall repairs could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have a 2013 ford mustang with 6R80 transmission as my wife was driving down the high way the suddenly shift down to 1 or second at 65 miles per hour and the car skidded out of control almost killing her and the people in the other lain I checked on recalls for this problem and I am getting conflicting answer. It says that some mustang have been recalled for the TCM and most all 6R80 transmission in the f150 and a couple other Ford vehicals that support the same transmission. My question is why would my 2013 ford mustang not be in the recall when clearly when I resurch it there is many issues out there with this car and TCM. Is this a wait until someone gets killed by the grace of God no one was hurt in my wife's situation and the car has to be parked until something is done to it so it doesn't happen again but like any dealer ship they want a very large amount of money to repair or replace the TCM. AKA lead frame is what I am told. I would like an answer on why this has been over looked please. Thank you God bless.
Car has delayed shifting and is still down shifting when the car has already stopped. 2011-2012 mustangs have some extended coverage for this problem. 16N02. My 2013 was manufactured at flat rock in 2012 but not covered.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unexpected downshift to first while driving between 40 mph to 65 mph can lead to complete loss of cruise control, accompanied by a wrench symbol and an error code. Additionally, the speedometer fails to display a reading and may abruptly drop to first gear without any prior warning. signaling low fuel levels
2013 Mustang V6, 6R80 Automatic Transmission. Lead frame is failing, I am getting code P0720. My vin falls outside of the recall, so I have to spend $850 to get lead frame fixed. Airbag light turns on, dashes through my odometer, and car stays stuck in 5th gear until I cycle key.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT RANDOMLY SHIFTS INTO FIRST GEAR ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT/.
The coolant reservoir on my vehicle has been replaced now 4 times with the first time being under 5000 on vehicle. The vehicle now has 96000. The same issue happens each time with a crack in the reservoir.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unexpected downshift to first while driving between 40 mph to 65 mph can lead to complete loss of cruise control, accompanied by a wrench symbol and an error code. Additionally, the speedometer fails to display a reading and may abruptly drop to first gear without any prior warning. signaling low fuel levels
While driving on the interstate the steering control module stopped working resulting in total loss of no power steering assist. Vehicle only has 1,4711 miles. Second time this incident has occurred. Major hazardous malfunction of control module possible resulting in a accident. No warning was give on dashboard indicator. This vehicle is a hazard on roadways and putting other drivers and citizens at risk of serious bodily injury. Vehicle should not this problem with the current miles. Contacted Ford Motors Corp. refuse to acknowledge my safety concerns and refuse reimbursement for repairs. This will happen to other Ford and will result in possible injuries or deaths.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the “Check Fuel Inlet” message was displayed, and the emissions warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 138,000.
I WAS PARKED WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR AND SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. THE CAR IS ABOUT 68000 MILES AND IT'S HAVING A HIGHER GAS CONSUMPTION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE ' P0456' EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK. AND PASSENGER FROM SEAT BELT BROKE. THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving on the interstate the steering control module stopped working resulting in total loss of no power steering assist. Vehicle only has 1,4711 miles. Second time this incident has occurred. Major hazardous malfunction of control module possible resulting in a accident. No warning was give on dashboard indicator. This vehicle is a hazard on roadways and putting other drivers and citizens at risk of serious bodily injury. Vehicle should not this problem with the current miles. Contacted Ford Motors Corp. refuse to acknowledge my safety concerns and refuse reimbursement for repairs. This will happen to other Ford and will result in possible injuries or deaths.
When starting the vehicle when cold, power steering assist fault appears on the gauge cluster. There is no power steering at this point. Once the vehicle is warmed up, and the engine is turned off and restarted, the problem goes away. The problem has been reproduced by an independent service center. The service center inspected the steering components and found no obvious visible fault with the components.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
HOOD PAINT CORROSION. LIKE A LARGE AMOUNT OF OTHER PEOPLE, MY HOOD PAINT IS BUBBLING WITH 87K MILES ON MY CAR. I MAINTAIN MY CAR VERY WELL AND IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. I CONTACTED FORD AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THEIR CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AND I HAVE NO HEARD BACK. IT'S BEEN SERVAL MONTHS. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WON'T COVER THEIR MANUFACTURING MESS UP.
CLEAR COAT FINISH ON TRUNK PANEL BEGAN PEELING WHEN CAR 3 1/2 YEARS OLD. ALUMINUM HOOD CORROSION AT ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD PAINT IS BUBBLING AT THE FRONT EDGE OF ALUMINUM HOOD. APPARENTLY WHEN BEING PAINTED THE ALUMINUM HOOD WAS CONTAMINATED WITH STEEL PARTICLES WHICH FORD KNEW AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE WOULD CAUSE CORROSION AND PAINT PEELING BUT DID NOTHING TO TRY TO CORRECT THE METAL CONTAMINATION WHEN VEHICLES WERE PAINTED SO NOW AT 24,800 MILES THE HOOD IS CORRODING AND PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR MUSTANG V6 PONY PACKAGE AND TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH HOOD CORROSION AND PEELING PAINT ON THIS CAR IS RIDICULOUS AND SHAMEFUL THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS DAMAGE. I HAVE BOUGHT FORD VEHICLES MY WHOLE LIFE BUT I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A FORD VEHICLE AGAIN.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
n 2019, I bought a used car from a well-known dealer in Puerto Rico. I recently took it to a mechanic for some repairs, and the mechanic informed me that the vehicle's internal odometer didn't match the odometer on the car's dashboard. There was a difference of 48,971 miles. I was deceived by this dealer.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BALL JOINTS IN THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,008.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD Mustang. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MOST RECENTLY, THE SPEEDOMETER DECREASED TO ZERO, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND LOST ELECTRICAL DATA SUCH AS THE MILEAGE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS PARKED WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR AND SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. THE CAR IS ABOUT 68000 MILES AND IT'S HAVING A HIGHER GAS CONSUMPTION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE ' P0456' EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK. AND PASSENGER FROM SEAT BELT BROKE. THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE.
ANCHORS FOR CAR SEATS ARE UNUSABLE. ONLY ONE ANCHOR IS INSTALLED PER SIDE FOR CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT MAKING THEM UNUSABLE. IN ADDITION THE ANCHOR AT THE TOP IS UNUSABLE AS THE HEADREST PREVENTS TIGHTENING OF THE UPPER STRAP. CALLED FORD AND THEY HAD NO SOLUTION. THE OWNERS MANUAL PROVIDES INACCURATE INFORMATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR GAS ONLY 10,486 MILES. STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION IN THE CAR AT 55 MPH AND ABOVE. I TOOK THE CAR TO LONESTAR FORD SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED PROPERLY, BEFORE IT WAS SOLD. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANTHING ELSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO NTB AND THEY CHECKED THE BALANCE AND FOUND RADIAL CORD SEPERATION ON ALL THE TIRES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL 4 TIRES ON MY 2013 FORD MUSTANG MILEAGE 18598 HAS SLIPPED BELTS PER BOB RIDINGS FORD DECATUR IL & NEAL TIRES DECATUR ILL.SENT PAPER WOOK IN TO PIPELLI TIRE. I REPLACED WITH NEW TIRES AT MY EXPENCE. THIS TIRE A P 235/ZR18 97W & IS ON THE RECALL LIST ALL 4 TIRES ARE BAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 transmission control module (TCM) and the lead frame control module were defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CLUTCH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. AFTER THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND RELEASED THE CLUTCH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEREO PANEL GLASS IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT CAN NOT HOLD UP TO SIMPLE CLEANING SOLUTIONS I.E. WINDEX TYPE GLASS CLEANERS.
ALL 2013 MUSTANGS COME EQUIPPED WITH LED DRL LAMPS THAT ILLUMINATE FULL TIME WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THESE ARE TWO WHITE STRIPS ALONGSIDE EACH HEADLAMP. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, THEY ARE BARELY NOTICEABLE; LESS UP CLOSE. ON OVERCAST DAYS, THEY ARE SLIGHTLY VISIBLE BUT SO DIM, THEY OFFER NO "ADDED" SAFETY EFFECT FOR HAVING THEM ON, VS OTHER VEHICLES WITH DRL'S. I'VE SEEN OTHER MUSTANGS SAME YEAR AS MINE & THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. AT NIGHT, THEY ARE LIT WITH SAME BRIGHTNESS LEVEL, WHICH IS JUST ABOUT RIGHT (AT NIGHT). WHY DO THEY ADVERTISE HAVING THEM SINCE THEY DO ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD? IN FACT, THEY CAN GIVE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR A FALSE SENSE OF "ADDED SECURITY", THINKING YOU ARE SEEN MORE EASILY BY OTHER DRIVERS? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought this car through carvana. They mentioned it had no issues, after 6 months of driving I noticed the car is literally flooded inside and the electrical does not work well at all. I spent alot of money trying to fix the electrical including the wipers and AC yet both keep getting destroyed. Sometimes my traction system will go off and on and it's just so annoying how the water damage is eating away at a car I'm stuck overpaying for. It is a nightmare
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .