2013 Ford Mustang

◆ Worse than typical
2013 Ford Mustang
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
271
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

54% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 271 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 271 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2019 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1988 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 271 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2024 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2013: 271 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015438
2016377
2017266
2018194
2019149
2020120
202155
202250
202315
202482
202518
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

54% · 145 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another driver failed to yield while entering the roadway, abruptly cutting in front of the contact's vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-26

Was going 25mph on a straight dry road, 2 traction control lights popped up and an alert saying Advancetrac is off, which is a feature you have to be in park with your foot on the brake and hold the traction control button for 8 seconds to turn off,...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-21

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. While accelerating from a stop, the contact proceeded very slowly at approximately 2 MPH; however, the preceding vehicle failed to accelerate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-08

Power train

18% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I parked my v-6 auto transmission Mustang on a slight incline and exited the vehicle. Approx 60 seconds after exiting, the Mustang started to roll down the hill.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-05

Engine

8% · 22 reports
FIRE

Vehicle speed control

7% · 19 reports

Electrical system

7% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

INJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-06-11Exterior lighting, power train12V190000 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…

    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…

  2. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 271 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2016-06-10Air bags15V319000 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.

    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.

  4. R
    2018-05-21Air bags18V046000 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...

    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.

  5. R
    2019-02-13Air bags19V001000 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...

    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.

  6. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21E013000 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.

    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.

  7. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21V081000 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.

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 145 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V190000 · Exterior lighting, power train
  • Recall 15V319000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V046000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21E013000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V081000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ford Mustang is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Mustang have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.