2013 Ford Mustang: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
271 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Mustang's record is moderate and steady through the fifth generation (2005–2014). The sixth generation launched for 2015 with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine and independent rear suspension, and the 2015 year carries the highest count of the modern car — the EcoBoost's head-gasket and coolant complaints, and the six-speed automatic. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: a year the record favours — 271 complaints, score 75/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Mustang: the years to avoid and the years to buy, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 271 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 20.85
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Car has delayed shifting and is still down shifting when the car has already stopped. 2011-2012 mustangs have some extended coverage for this problem. 16N02. My 2013 was manufactured at flat rock in 2012 but not covered.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer declined to perform the recall repairs. The contact was informed that, because of the installation of an aftermarket steering wheel, the recall repairs could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the is…
n 2019, I bought a used car from a well-known dealer in Puerto Rico. I recently took it to a mechanic for some repairs, and the mechanic informed me that the vehicle's internal odometer didn't match the odometer on the car's dashboard. There was a difference of 48,971 miles. I was deceived by this dealer.
Recalls: 6 campaigns (5 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 12V190000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 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 SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND… |
| 19V001000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | 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 Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling… |
| 18V046000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | 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 Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling… |
| 21V081000 | Air Bags:Frontal | 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. 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… |
| 21E013000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | 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. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. |
| 15V319000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 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. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a sports car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,700
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Air Bags145 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Power Train48 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine22 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Vehicle Speed Control19 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Electrical System18 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other14 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
Other Ford Mustang years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Air Bags (145 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Ford Mustang a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 75/100, computed from 271 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Ford Mustang's most common problem?
145 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Ford Mustang sit in the Air Bags group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement: about 2.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $600–$1,700 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Ford Mustang cost to run per year?
About $5,446 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,230 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Ford Mustang, 5 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/05/2012. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other sportss of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Ford Mustang really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 271 complaints, 6 recalls on record
- 271 NHTSA complaints on record (20.8/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (29.4/yr)
- 6 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems