RoadVitals

2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest May 14, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

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

  • 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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLOOR BOARD

NHTSA ID 10732239 · filed Jul 6, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10531968 · filed Jul 26, 2013
All 8 reports naming seat belts

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10860974 · filed Apr 22, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10826113 · filed Feb 15, 2016

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.

6
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10826114 · filed Feb 15, 2016

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

NHTSA ID 10641090 · filed Oct 3, 2014

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10860974 · filed Apr 22, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10826113 · filed Feb 15, 2016

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10826114 · filed Feb 15, 2016

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

NHTSA ID 10641090 · filed Oct 3, 2014

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10837009 · filed Feb 18, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10825866 · filed Feb 12, 2016

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11093690 · filed May 14, 2018

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

NHTSA ID 10584935 · filed Apr 25, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 15V172 DISPLAYS OWNER AND DEALER NOTICES FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.

NHTSA ID 10918770 · filed Oct 25, 2016

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10476936 · filed Sep 24, 2012

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10638966 · filed Sep 25, 2014

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10488759 · filed Dec 14, 2012

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

Data on this page last refreshed .