MotorDeets

2013 Ford Mustang: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2013 Ford Mustang: 5 recalls, 271 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

5vehicle recalls
271owner complaints
16mention a crash
23best combined mpg
2013 Ford Mustang
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Exterior lights, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V190000 · 2012 · 10,500 vehicles

What's wrong: 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 â“lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.┠these vehicles May have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.

Why it matters: If this condition exists, the transmission May not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse â“r┠position and the vehicleâ’s transmission does go in reverse, the â“r┠May not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the…

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V319000 · 2015 · 1,018,622 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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…

Airbags Vehicle recall #18V046000 · 2018 · 327,796 vehicles

What's wrong: 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,…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #19V001000 · 2019 · 782,384 vehicles

What's wrong: 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,…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V081000 · 2021 · 1,067 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags, Airbags Equipment recall #21E013000 · 2021 · 249 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Airbags145
Transmission & drivetrain48
Engine22
Speed control / throttle19
Electrical18
Other / unknown14
Fuel & propulsion10
Steering10

What owners describe

The 2013 Ford Mustang has 271 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 37 Mustang model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 240). Complaints peaked in 2016 (103 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (469 complaints, 6 recalls), 2014 (359 complaints, 3 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.7 L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive193023Regular
3.7 L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive192922Regular
5.0 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive182520Regular
5.0 L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive162519Regular
5.8 L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive152418Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Ford Mustang.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2013 Ford Mustang manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2013 Ford Mustang manual

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FAQ

Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Ford Mustang, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2013 Ford Mustang problems?

Owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (145), transmission & drivetrain (48), engine (22).

What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Mustang get?

EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.7 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2013 Ford Mustang repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Mustang years

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