VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 38 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.6 times the median Police Interceptor Sedan year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 3 Police Interceptor Sedan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (8), electrical system (6), and transmission (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

38

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Police Interceptor Sedan years?

Police Interceptor Sedan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted38 complaints2013: 38 complaints2014: 5 complaints2017: 0 complaints
Police Interceptor Sedan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Police Interceptor Sedan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts821%
Electrical System616%
Transmission616%
Lighting513%
Engine513%
Brakes25%
Body & Structure25%
Airbags13%
Seats13%
Steering13%
Suspension13%

Does the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan have recalls?

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

15V812000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 2015 · 868 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

13V227000Fuel SystemMay 31, 2013 · 390,783 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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. DRIVER DID NOT REALIZE RECEIVER WAS NOT SECURELY HOLDING THE SEAT BELT AND WHEN INVOLVED IN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 1, 2013

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 22, 2014 · fire

“THE VEHICLE HIT A COYOTE SAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND TRANSMISSION COOLER ALL PARTS WERE REPLACED USING FORD PARTS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD THEN THE TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO FORD WAS DAMAGE AFTER THEY SERVICED IT AND REFILLED THE TRANSMISSION THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DRIVEN AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 4, 2013 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 8, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 22, 2014 · fire

2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 38 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 3 Police Interceptor Sedan years. It is one of the Police Interceptor Sedan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Police Interceptor Sedan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Police Interceptor Sedan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Police Interceptor Sedan years to avoid are 2013. The cleanest record among Police Interceptor Sedan years belongs to 2017.

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.