Owners filed 271 complaints with NHTSA about this Mustang[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 145 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 145 complaints[2]. Owners describe bags that went off in light bumps, a bag on one side that stayed shut in a rear hit, and injuries after a bag deployed. 9 complaints in this group mention a crash[2].
- Power Train. 48 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe rough shifting, gears that would not engage, a clutch pedal that stayed down, and grinding that ended with a transmission rebuild.
- Engine. 23 complaints[7]. Owners describe the car losing power, stalling without warning, and not responding when they pressed the pedal.
- Speed Control. 19 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car surging forward on its own, a warning light followed by a sharp loss of power, and a slow crawl in traffic. Several say the dealer traced it to the throttle body.
- Electrical System. 18 complaints[9]. A smaller group.
- Unknown Or Other. 14 complaints[10]. These reports do not fit a single component.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 10 complaints[11]. A smaller group.
- Steering. 10 complaints[12]. A smaller group.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Mustang is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (21V081), February 2021. About 1,067 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V001), January 2019. About 782,384 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V046), January 2018. About 327,796 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (15V319), May 2015. About 1,018,622 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights (12V190), May 2012. About 10,500 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 19 / 30 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[18] | 19 / 29 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[19] | 18 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[20] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Mustang Convertible, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[21] | 19 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Mustang, 5.8L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive[22] | 15 / 24 / 18 | $4,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 616 | 5 |
| 1996 | 286 | 3 |
| 1997 | 214 | 2 |
| 1998 | 305 | 4 |
| 1999 | 272 | 4 |
| 2000 | 395 | 4 |
| 2001 | 249 | 1 |
| 2002 | 166 | 0 |
| 2003 | 231 | 1 |
| 2004 | 130 | 1 |
| 2005 | 868 | 5 |
| 2006 | 575 | 5 |
| 2007 | 615 | 5 |
| 2008 | 347 | 5 |
| 2009 | 181 | 5 |
| 2010 | 261 | 5 |
| 2011 | 466 | 4 |
| 2012 | 469 | 6 |
| 2013 | 271 | 5 |
| 2014 | 359 | 3 |
| 2015 | 438 | 11 |
| 2016 | 379 | 5 |
| 2017 | 268 | 6 |
| 2018 | 196 | 3 |
| 2019 | 150 | 6 |
| 2020 | 120 | 8 |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 |
| 2022 | 50 | 9 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 |
| 2024 | 84 | 12 |
| 2025 | 19 | 6 |
| 2026 | 8 | 5 |
NHTSA's counts for the Mustang show 271 complaints and 5 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 14 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (8) and the most are for 2005 (868)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Mustang?
The complaint record for this Mustang is led by air bags, with power train a distant second[2][6]. Engine and speed control reports follow, and several of those stories point to loss of power while driving[7][8]. These are owner reports sent to NHTSA, so they show what people ran into and not how often it happens across all cars. The page also shows 5 recalls for this year[3]. Read the sections below for recalls, fuel use and safety ratings before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Mustang?
- The biggest complaint group is air bags with 145 complaints[2]. Power train comes next with 48[6], then engine with 23[7].
- Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact shows 5 recalls for this year[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Ford Mustang?
- See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2013 Ford Mustang reliable?
- NHTSA has 271 owner complaints on file[1]. Air bags and power train lead the groups[2][6]. Weigh them with the recall and safety sections on this page.
- Is 2013 a good year for the Ford Mustang?
- The by-year comparison on this page puts the model years side by side. Use it to see how this year sits next to the others.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Mustang
Compare all model years of the Ford Mustang
Other Ford models from 2013
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 271 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Mustang (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 145 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Mustang model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,185). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V001, filed January 7, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V046, filed January 11, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V319, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V190, filed May 3, 2012: Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang Convertible, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang, 5.8L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Mustang with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Mustang with 5.0L 8-cylinder: rated 412 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Mustang with 5.8L 8-cylinder: rated 650 hp. www.epa.gov