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2013 Ford Mustang Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 202663 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2013 Ford Mustang Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2013 Ford Mustang has 323 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.6/ 10

Based on 323 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

145 44.9%

POWER TRAIN

44 13.6%

ENGINE

22 6.8%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

19 5.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 5.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 44.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 25 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Ford Mustang

The 2013 Ford Mustang has 323 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 45% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2013 Ford Mustang are AIR BAGS (145), POWER TRAIN (44), ENGINE (22).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 218 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Ford Mustang?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 Mustang complaints2014 Mustang complaints2011 Mustang complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 19 of 19 systems

AIR BAGS

140 Reports56% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED KNEE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LACERATED HIP AND A FRACTURED LUMBER VERTEBRAE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,484. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 11/26/2014 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED ON IMPACT LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS UNRESTRAINED DURING IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS

8/25/2014

ON FEBRUARY 24, 2013, I WAS INVOLVED IN A "FENDER BENDER" IN MY BRAND NEW 2013 FORD MUSTANG WHERE I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. ALTHOUGH THE COLLISION WAS MINOR, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WAS MINIMAL, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND SIDE PANEL AIRBAGS BOTH DEPLOYED. THE FRONT AIR BAG SEVERELY BURNED ME WHEN IT EXPLODED OUT UPON IMPACT. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BURNS THAT I HAVE SUFFERED AS THE RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. BASED UPON THE SEVERITY OF THE BURNS THAT I HAVE SUFFERED IT IS APPARENT THAT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE COLLISION, I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND WHILE BEING TREATED THE DOCTOR INDICATED THAT MY BURNS WERE CHEMICALLY INDUCED, AND WERE NOT ABRASION TYPE BURNS FROM CONTACT WITH THE AIRBAG. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY SUFFER THE SAME TYPE OF INJURIES. *TR

11/3/2014

138 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

22 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

1/7/2013

# 1 STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR (BUSHING - CR3Z-3078-C AND CR3Z-3079-C ARM ASY).# 2 FSA 12E06 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.# 3 CHECK FUEL FILL INLET. *TR

2/28/2013

20 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

INCIDENT: WHILE WAITING IN THE LEFT TURN LANE FOR THE LEFT TURN LIGHT TO TURN GREEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I WAS BEHIND ANOTHER LEFT TURNING VEHICLE. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE SO TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, BEFORE I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO REAPPLY BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. THIS TOOK PLACE ON LEVEL GROUND ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 19 AT HENRY ST. IN KONA. *TR

9/18/2012

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 EXTENSIONS, HOWEVER THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR IS NOT COVERED. $1250 REPAIR BILL. *TR

10/13/2014

12 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

INCREASING SPEED TO MERGE ONTO KELLOGG IN WICHITA, KANSAS WESTBOUND FROM OLIVER AND TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK, THEN IN A VERY SHORT TIME SPAN, ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS, ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DEALER DID SOME REPAIR WORK BUT THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL INCIDENTS INCLUDING FAILING TO START, SHUTDOWNS, FAILURE OF PASS SIDE WINDOW TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, FAILURE OF CLIMATE CONTROL CAUSING FOGGED WINDOWS, SPEAKERS SHORTING OUT, TRUNK OPENING ON ITS OWN, AND SO FORTH. NUMEROUS, BUT STILL SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (6R80) ISSUES THAT SEEM TO MATCH MINE. NO ERROR CODES SUGGEST INTERMITTENT FAIL OF CONTACTS AT PASSTHRU CONNECTOR, POSSIBLY RELATED TO POORLY SEATED CONNECTOR INSERT. BARE WIRE WAS DISCOVERED IN PASS DOOR WHEN WINDOWS WAS SERVICED. VEHICLE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO ISSUE TSB AS NEEDED TO CORRECT WAS WELL AS INVESTIGATION INTO WIRING HARNESS. NOTE - WE HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS WHERE THE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE CAUSED CRASH. *TR

8/22/2014

ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND TO A HARD ACCELERATION, DONE IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A POSSIBLE CRASH. CRASH HOWEVER DID NOT HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE OCCASIONS. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. *TR

10/5/2014

12 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

INCIDENT: WHILE WAITING IN THE LEFT TURN LANE FOR THE LEFT TURN LIGHT TO TURN GREEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I WAS BEHIND ANOTHER LEFT TURNING VEHICLE. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE SO TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, BEFORE I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO REAPPLY BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. THIS TOOK PLACE ON LEVEL GROUND ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 19 AT HENRY ST. IN KONA. *TR

9/18/2012

THE VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR PANELS WILL RATTLE WHILE THE CAR ACCELERATES AND WHEN THE VEHICLE STEREO IS PLAYING. THE VEHICE HAS BEEN IN TO HAVE THIS ADDRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES AND MULTIPLE DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. DOOR PANELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND MAY IMPAIR ABILITY TO HEAR WHAT TRAFFIC IS DOING AROUND THE VEHICLE. *TR

6/4/2013

7 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE REFUELING MY VEHICLE IN THE NEW CAP LESS FUEL FILLER PORT, AS I PULLED OUT THE NOZZLE EXCESS FUEL SPILLED OUT AROUND THE CAP LESS FILLER PORT. THE DRAINS AROUND THE CAP LESS PORT DRAINED THE SPILLED FUEL INSIDE THE QUARTER PANEL OF CAR WHICH DIRECTED THE FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE MUFFLER. IF MY CAR HAD BEEN HOT, THE FUEL WOULD HAVE IGNITED. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

6/27/2012

# 1 STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR (BUSHING - CR3Z-3078-C AND CR3Z-3079-C ARM ASY).# 2 FSA 12E06 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.# 3 CHECK FUEL FILL INLET. *TR

2/28/2013

6 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT FULLY RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISION WAS BLOCKED TRAVELING IN REVERSE AND WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE PHOTOS OF THE FAILURE WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN INFLUX OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,900. ...UPDATED 05/29/13 *BF

5/9/2013

THE VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR PANELS WILL RATTLE WHILE THE CAR ACCELERATES AND WHEN THE VEHICLE STEREO IS PLAYING. THE VEHICE HAS BEEN IN TO HAVE THIS ADDRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES AND MULTIPLE DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. DOOR PANELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND MAY IMPAIR ABILITY TO HEAR WHAT TRAFFIC IS DOING AROUND THE VEHICLE. *TR

6/4/2013

5 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN I TOOK MY KEY OUT LAST NIGHT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAME OUT ALSO.

5/24/2016

NO ACCELERATION POSSIBLE. FUEL CUT OUT. PULLED OVER CAR SHOOK. TURNED OFF. BACK ON 15 MINUTES LATER. HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP SAID TGEY FIXED IT, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. SAME CODE: CHECK FUEL FILL INLET. CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. WHAT A JOKE. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN TERRIBLE!

10/12/2016

5 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

# 1 STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR (BUSHING - CR3Z-3078-C AND CR3Z-3079-C ARM ASY).# 2 FSA 12E06 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.# 3 CHECK FUEL FILL INLET. *TR

2/28/2013

UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY BRAKING THE CARS BRAKE PEDAL WILL PULSATE AND GO TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WILL STILL BE MOVING FORWARD AND TAKE AN EXTENDED TIME TO SLOW DOWN. FORD STATES THATS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. LAST TIME I CHECKED WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO STOP NOT TAKE ITS SWEET TIME SLOWING DOWN. *TR

6/4/2013

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY BRAKING THE CARS BRAKE PEDAL WILL PULSATE AND GO TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WILL STILL BE MOVING FORWARD AND TAKE AN EXTENDED TIME TO SLOW DOWN. FORD STATES THATS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. LAST TIME I CHECKED WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO STOP NOT TAKE ITS SWEET TIME SLOWING DOWN. *TR

6/4/2013

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A GRINDING SOUND LIKE METAL ON METAL WHEN I WOULD PUSH THE BRAKES TO STOP. THIS FIRST HAPPENED AT AROUND 2K MILES. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ASKED ME A QUESTION, THEY ASKED "HOW OFTEN DO YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE?" THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT "IF YOU DONOT DRIVE IT ENOUGH, IT IS RUST ON THE ROTORS CAUSING THIS NOISE." THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT WAS THAT. I LATER ON TOOK MY VEHICLE IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AT AROUND 10K MILES WHEN I WANTED TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND MY TIRES ROTATED. I WANTED THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKING SYSTEM WHILE DOING THAT. AFTER SERVICE WAS DONE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH MY BRAKES, OR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE STILL MAKES THE NOISE WHEN I PUSH THE BREAKS. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING TO ME. *TR

6/10/2013

2 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK, LEFT WRIST AND BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

9/17/2014

EVERY MORNING WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR IN COLD WEATHER I GET THE ERROR MESSAGE "POWER ASSEMBLY FAULT" AND AN INDICATOR THAT TRACTION CONTROL IS SHUT OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING OR TRACTION CONTROL. THIS CLEARS UP ONCE I WARM UP THE ENGINE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON. IT HAPPENS EVERY MORNING NOW THAT WE ARE IN COLDER WEATHER AND CLEARS UP ONCE I HEAT UP THE CAR SO IT SEEMS THAT THESE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS BECOME FAULTY AT 30-40 DEGREE FAHRENHEIT WEATHER.

12/2/2015

2 more complaints are available in this category.

TIRES

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2013-14 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500S ARE SHIPPED WITH STOCK GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR G:2 TIRES WHICH, ACCORDING TO A GOODYEAR PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MARCH 28, 2011 ARE KNOWN TO CRACK IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 40F. THE CRACKS APPEAR IN THE SIDEWALLS/TREAD AND CAN CAUSE THE TIRE TO SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I CALLED FORD TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF MY REAR TIRES HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK (ITS IN THE 40S OUTSIDE TODAY; WAS HIGH 30S OVERNIGHT - THOUGH MY CAR IS STORED INSIDE IN A 2 CAR GARAGE, AND THEREFORE WARMER). FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED THEY WERE POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING AND I NEEDED TO CONTACT GOODYEAR DIRECTLY. GOODYEAR IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (THEY ISSUED THE PSB AFTER ALL), AND ARE WILLING TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TIRES (ON A PRORATED BASIS) - BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THE TIRE!. FORD HAS WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE ISSUE COMPLETELY AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE - STATING THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF GOODYEAR'S PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE PSB (HEARD FROM BOTH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOCAL FORD DEALER). MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CRACKS AND REPLACED TIRES AT THEIR OWN COST (USUALLY SWITCHING TO ANOTHER BRAND). FORD NEEDS TO STOP SELLING CARS WITH THESE TIRES AND GOODYEAR NEED TO STOP PUTTING LIFE-THREATENING PRODUCT ON THE MARKET. I'M AWARE OF AT LEAST 1 INCIDENT OF A TIRE BLOWING MID-DRIVE RESULTING IN A 13/14 GT500 BEING TOTALED, AND AM HAPPY TO POINT THE NHTSA TO COUNTLESS THREADS ON ENTHUSIAST FORUM DETAILING THE ISSUE WITH PICTURES. HERE'S ONE OF MANY THREADS: HTTP://WWW.SVTPERFORMANCE.COM/FORUMS/2013-SHELBY-GT500-413/927327-WRECKED-MY-BABY.HTML. *TR

11/26/2013

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.

10/10/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

WHEELS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2013-14 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500S ARE SHIPPED WITH STOCK GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR G:2 TIRES WHICH, ACCORDING TO A GOODYEAR PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MARCH 28, 2011 ARE KNOWN TO CRACK IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 40F. THE CRACKS APPEAR IN THE SIDEWALLS/TREAD AND CAN CAUSE THE TIRE TO SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I CALLED FORD TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF MY REAR TIRES HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK (ITS IN THE 40S OUTSIDE TODAY; WAS HIGH 30S OVERNIGHT - THOUGH MY CAR IS STORED INSIDE IN A 2 CAR GARAGE, AND THEREFORE WARMER). FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED THEY WERE POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING AND I NEEDED TO CONTACT GOODYEAR DIRECTLY. GOODYEAR IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (THEY ISSUED THE PSB AFTER ALL), AND ARE WILLING TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TIRES (ON A PRORATED BASIS) - BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THE TIRE!. FORD HAS WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE ISSUE COMPLETELY AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE - STATING THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF GOODYEAR'S PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE PSB (HEARD FROM BOTH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOCAL FORD DEALER). MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CRACKS AND REPLACED TIRES AT THEIR OWN COST (USUALLY SWITCHING TO ANOTHER BRAND). FORD NEEDS TO STOP SELLING CARS WITH THESE TIRES AND GOODYEAR NEED TO STOP PUTTING LIFE-THREATENING PRODUCT ON THE MARKET. I'M AWARE OF AT LEAST 1 INCIDENT OF A TIRE BLOWING MID-DRIVE RESULTING IN A 13/14 GT500 BEING TOTALED, AND AM HAPPY TO POINT THE NHTSA TO COUNTLESS THREADS ON ENTHUSIAST FORUM DETAILING THE ISSUE WITH PICTURES. HERE'S ONE OF MANY THREADS: HTTP://WWW.SVTPERFORMANCE.COM/FORUMS/2013-SHELBY-GT500-413/927327-WRECKED-MY-BABY.HTML. *TR

11/26/2013

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.

10/10/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED KNEE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LACERATED HIP AND A FRACTURED LUMBER VERTEBRAE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,484. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 11/26/2014 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH SEAT BELTS SNAPPED ON IMPACT LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS UNRESTRAINED DURING IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS

8/25/2014

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.

11/5/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

2/14/2015

THE STEREO PANEL GLASS IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT CAN NOT HOLD UP TO SIMPLE CLEANING SOLUTIONS I.E. WINDEX TYPE GLASS CLEANERS.

10/10/2016

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 FROM AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES.

8/7/2017

I'M A LONG TIME FORD OWNER. IN JULY, 2017 THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2013 MUSTANG GT WHICH HAD LESS THAN 40K MILES, MALFUNCTIONED WHICH IN TURN RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, ABS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC ASSIST FUNCTIONS. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRE, I WAS QUOTED OVER $2.2K. ANNOYED THAT A LOW MILEAGE CAR WHICH WAS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD COULD HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS, I CHOSE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT POWER STEERING. FAST FORWARD TO JANUARY 2018, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHICH HAPPENED TO LOSE ALL STEERING FUNCTION WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB AND THAT I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT THE STEERING DIDN'T GO OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BECAUSE THEY NEVER INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD LOSE ALL STEERING IN THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSIS 6 MONTHS EARLIER. I CONTACTED FORD CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY JUST FILED IT AWAY AND DON'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IT CAN FACE FOR SELLING CARS WITH FAULTY STEERING THAT ARE LIKELY TO FAIL ON THE ROAD. FORD'S POWER STEERING ISSUES ARE WELL-KNOWN, BUT THE ASSOCIATED CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE IS NOT. BASICALLY, IF YOU DRIVE A FORD PRODUCT AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, YOU ARE DRIVING A DEATH TRAP.

1/18/2018

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. ..UPDATED 03/18/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, WHICH HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR ONCE. UPDATED 03/27/13

1/31/2013

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

8/14/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A STRONG ODOR OF CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMISSIONS SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER UNDER AN EMISSION RECALL IN 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

1/6/2016

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Mustang?

The most reported complaint category for the 2013 Ford Mustang is AIR BAGS, with 145 owner reports. That is about 45% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE.

Are complaints about the 2013 Ford Mustang a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 218 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Ford Mustang?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2013 Ford Mustang severe?

218 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Ford Mustang: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
323
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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