VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 325 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Mustang year — the 2013 model ranks #15 of 62 Mustang years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 45% of all reports (145 of 325), far ahead of transmission at 49. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

325

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Mustang years?

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags14545%
Transmission4915%
Engine237%
Electrical System216%
Speed Control196%
Other144%
Fuel System113%
Steering103%
Body & Structure82%
Tires & Wheels62%
Suspension62%
Brakes52%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting21%
Driver Assistance10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21E013000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 249 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

21V081000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 1,067 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V001000AirbagsJanuary 7, 2019 · 782,384 units

Defect

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 Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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.

18V046000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2018 · 327,796 units

Defect

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 states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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.

15V319000AirbagsMay 28, 2015 · 1,018,622 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

12V190000LightingMay 3, 2012 · 10,500 units

Defect

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 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE “R” POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE “R” 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 VEHICLE’S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TURNED VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, BACK END FISHTAILED, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO TRY TO DECREASE THE SPIN OF THE TIRES, PUMPED THE BRAKES, OVER CORRECTED AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AT BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. ONLY ONE PERSON IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 14, 2014 · crash

My 2013 Ford Mustang had some problems with down shifting, and my daughter took it several times to the dealer, they said it is probably the throttle body, so I replaced it, and thought that everything was fine. So on September last year my daughter was in an accident due to the car downshifting to…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2020 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY BEFORE IT ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 31, 2016 · fire

LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE SERVICE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, A SORT OF SHUDDERING NOISE COMES FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR PRETTY MUCH GOES LIMP AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART MY CAR. IT COULD BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2017

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 13, 2014

2013 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Mustang reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 325 complaints put the 2013 model at #15 of 62 Mustang years. It is one of the Mustang years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (145 complaints), transmission (49 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

How safe is the 2013 Ford Mustang?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Ford Mustang earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.