2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan 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 Police Interceptor Sedan, 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
- Seat belts821.1%
- Electrical615.8%
- Powertrain (other)615.8%
- Exterior lighting513.2%
- Engine513.2%
- Body & structure25.3%
- Brakes25.3%
- Suspension12.6%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Steering12.6%
- Airbags12.6%
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
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLOOR BOARD
DRIVER'S SEAT-BELT BUCKLE RECEIVER COVER BROKE OFF UNDER NORMAL POLICE USE, EXPOSING THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE BUCKLE RECEIVER AND PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE MALE END OF THE BUCKLE INTO THE RECEIVER. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE 'READY FOR THE ROAD PACKAGE.' THE FRONT COMBINATION WIG-WAG LED/PARKING LAMP LED/TURN SIGNAL LED (MADE BY WHELEN) BEGAN TO FLASH ERRATICALLY. MOST OF THE TIME, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. SOMETIMES, NEITHER THE PARKING LAMP NOR THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD FUNCTION. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING, THE FLASH RATE OF THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT CHANGE TO MAKE THE DRIVER AWARE THAT THE FRONT LAMP WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED BOTH UNDER ESP WARRANTY. ONCE WARRANTY IS OUT, THIS PART WILL COST $486 EACH.
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE READY FOR THE ROAD PACKAGE. THE WHELEN ION LIGHTS IN THE REAR WINDOW KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE. FORD INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A WIRE ON THE PASSENGER LIGHT TO BE WORN THROUGH AND TOUCHING THE BARE METAL. INSULATION AROUND THE WIRE WAS MELTED FROM THE HEAT. FORD REPLACED THOUGH FACTORY WARRANTY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED' WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN WRENCH WARNING LAMP AND CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 1 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER ESP WARRANTY.
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN WRENCH WARNING LAMP AND CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 1 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
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
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE 'READY FOR THE ROAD PACKAGE.' THE FRONT COMBINATION WIG-WAG LED/PARKING LAMP LED/TURN SIGNAL LED (MADE BY WHELEN) BEGAN TO FLASH ERRATICALLY. MOST OF THE TIME, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. SOMETIMES, NEITHER THE PARKING LAMP NOR THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD FUNCTION. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING, THE FLASH RATE OF THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT CHANGE TO MAKE THE DRIVER AWARE THAT THE FRONT LAMP WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED BOTH UNDER ESP WARRANTY. ONCE WARRANTY IS OUT, THIS PART WILL COST $486 EACH.
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE READY FOR THE ROAD PACKAGE. THE WHELEN ION LIGHTS IN THE REAR WINDOW KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE. FORD INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A WIRE ON THE PASSENGER LIGHT TO BE WORN THROUGH AND TOUCHING THE BARE METAL. INSULATION AROUND THE WIRE WAS MELTED FROM THE HEAT. FORD REPLACED THOUGH FACTORY WARRANTY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED' WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN WRENCH WARNING LAMP AND CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 1 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER ESP WARRANTY.
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN WRENCH WARNING LAMP AND CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND HAD TO BE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 1 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHERE THE FRONT BUMPER REINFORCEMENT BOLTS TO THE FRAME HAS CRACKED AT THE FOR OUTWARD POINTS. ONLY TWO SMALL WELDS ARE HOLDING THE BUMPER IN PLACE. CAR WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
WHERE THE FRONT BUMPER REINFORCEMENT BOLTS TO BOTH FRAME RAILS, CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED AROUND THE BOLT HOLES. ONE SPOT IS TOTALLY DETACHED. ONLY TWO SMALL WELDS HOLDING FRONT BUMPER REINFORCEMENT IN PLACE. VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
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
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LITTLE TO NO BRAKE OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS SLOWING FROM 25 MPH TO A STOP SLOWLY. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THERE WAS A POP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD, THEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT HELP SLOW VEHICLE. THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP. OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW ENTIRE TOP HALF OF ENGINE NEAR FIREWALL ON FIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 15V172 DISPLAYS OWNER AND DEALER NOTICES FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANY HEADREST FOR THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND A75 MPH REAR IMPACT BUT THE REAR SEAT WAS NOT BUILT TO PROVIDE HEAD/ NECK SUPPORT FOR IMPACT AT ANY SPEED. THE NECK AND HEAD OF AN AVERAGE HEIGHT PASSENGER SITTING IN THE REAR WILL MOST LIKELY EXTEND ABOVE THE TOP PORTION OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT THEREFORE PROVIDING NO SUPPORT FOR THE HEAD AND NECK DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR IMPACT. THE ABSENCE OF THE HEADREST COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. THE CURRENT DESIGN OF THE SEAT DOES NOT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT A HEAD REST CAN BE RETROFITTED. THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER, SAME AS THE POLICE INTERCEPTOR, IS EQUIPPED WITH A SECOND ROW HEADREST SO IT MAKES NO SENSE WHY THE POLICE INTERCEPTOR IS BEING SOLD WITHOUT THAT CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE TO PROFESSIONALS WHO ADVOCATES VEHICLE SAFETY AND UNFORTUNATELY, WITNESS THE CONSEQUENCES WHEN YOU IGNORE THEM. I APPRECIATE YOU SPEEDY ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY CAME LOOSE. WHEN HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE 12 O'CLOCK AND 6 O'CLOCK POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE ROCKED FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS MORE THAN 1/2". THE SAME WAS TRUE IN THE 9 O'CLOCK AND 3 O'CLOCK POSITION. THE PIVOT POINT OF THIS ROCKING ACTION WAS THE BASE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, NOT IN THE COLUMN. ACTUAL STEERING CONTROL, TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, REMAINED SOLID. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT SAID THE STEERING WHEEL BOLT CAME LOOSE AND THE REPAIR WAS TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT. DEALER CHARGED 1.5 HOURS LABOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM AN OFFICIAL FOR A LARGE POLICE AGENCY. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE 2013 FORD INTERCEPTOR SEDANS. THE PARTITIONS THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED THAT SEPARATE THE OFFICER FROM A PRISONER HAVE A FLAW. BUT THE FLAW WAS DEVELOPED WITH THE INSIGHT OF THE AIR BAG MANUFACTURED BY FORD. FORD DEVELOPED THE INTERCEPTOR FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BEING THE NEW POLICE CAR FOR AMERICA, POSSIBLY THE WORLD. WHEN FORD DEVELOPED THE INTERCEPTOR, THEIR DESIGNERS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE ONE SIMPLE FACT. THAT POLICE MAKE ARRESTS AND THE ARRESTEE WOULD BE PLACED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORT TO WHEREVER. WITH THAT FACT, A DESIGNER SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT THE PARTITION NEEDED TO SEPARATE THE PRISONER FROM THE OFFICER SHOULD BE JUST THAT, SEPARATING ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT FROM THE PRISONER. IT APPEARS THATS NOT POSSIBLE WITH THE WAY FORD DEVELOPED THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. FORD FAILED TO REALIZE THIS ISSUE IN DEVELOPMENT AND CREATED A ONE PIECE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFETY SEPARATE THE PRISONER FROM THE OFFICER. WITH THIS FACT IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE DESIGNING PARTITIONS THAT LEAVE A 4" X 12" X 6" HOLE AT HEAD AND NECK LEVEL OF AN OFFICER SITTING/DRIVING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS AREA HAS BEEN FABRICATED WITH A FLIMSY PIECE OF PLASTIC LEAVING THE OFFICER VULNERABLE TO POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH FROM A PRISONER PUSHING BY THE FLIMSY PLASTIC MAKING CONTACT WITH THE OFFICER. THE PLASTIC WAS DESIGNED WITH THE THEORY THE AIR BAG COULD PUSH IT OUT OF THE WAY FOR FULL DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS FORD SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED A TWO PIECE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THUS ALLOWING A PRISONER TO BE SECURED AND FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. I FIND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN OFFICER SAFETY AND A MAJOR ISSUE AS FORD DEVELOPED THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SPECIFIC USE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE. *TR
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 .