Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2013 Ford mustang 2dr coupe is stalling losing power and engine is completely shutting down while I'm driving on the highway which could cause a fatal crash. The engine light and oil light comes on after this happens but the oil light eventually goes off. This recall is on several vehicles but not mine. The dealership has a week of waiting to take my car in. So in the meantime I have to put myself at risk and continue to drive my car. Something needs to change as to notifying use car owners of recalls.
The coolant reservoir on my vehicle has been replaced now 4 times with the first time being under 5000 on vehicle. The vehicle now has 96000. The same issue happens each time with a crack in the reservoir.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Ford Mustang. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the roadway before it erupted in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a fire report. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that there was a progressing failure with the front driver side tire wobbling and the suspension was unstable when driving over unleveled Land. The contact heard a loud noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle near the front driver side tire. The vehicle was taken to more than two dealers. One of the dealers was not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle received several repairs from more than one dealer who replaced the nuts and bolts, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back a third time to replace the lower control arm. During the fourth repair, the dealer replaced the nuts and bolts and the lower control arm again. The component fractured a fifth time and the dealer and the manufacturer provided no remedy. …
While driving my car it went into a "limp mode". It has happened several times but this particular day I was crossing an intersection and my car just lost power. I was almost smashed on each side. A wrench light popped up on my dashboard and the car would not move. I was literally stuck in the middle of the intersection. I had to place the car in park and turn it off for 3 minutes. It started back up but it still does it at least 5-6 times a week. I had the throttle body cleaned and it still does it. I am only the second owner of this vehicle and I take good care of it. I love the mustangs, but if I would've know of this very serious safety issue, I wouldn't have bought it. I can be driving at 60mph and this will happen. This is very dangerous and frightening. I've read that some previous Ford models have been recalled for this same issue. …
After having my car for 5.5 years, it started to shift gears on its own (it's an automatic) and brake/stall when I'm going low speeds. Especially when I'm at a stop light or stop sign, it will not allow me to accelerate (been stuck in middle of intersections about 5 times) even with my foot on the accelerator. The engine does not shut off...so I will turn my car off and back on to get going again. One time I was on the free way with a full tank of gas going 65 MPH and my dash board went completely red and speedometer went to zero...the car did not stop until I manually turned if off on the side of the road. Also, it once did the opposite when I was trying to brake before a red light, the car jolted/accelerated forward while my foot was on the gas. I've replaced the air filters, battery, alternator, and engine's wire harness (all at separate times) and the issue remains.
Tick in engine at idle due to manufacturing defect effects behavior of driver and strangers toward operator hearing, resale value greatly effected. Poor lubrication to #1 valve train. TSB 12-1-17 describes a fix that causes greater harm by starving exhaust cam journals of oil by using oil plugs to block oil flow thru hydraulic cam to the exhaust cam valve journals on cylinder 3 and 4. Efforts to secure remedy or reasonable information to effect repairs from Ford result in misleading directives, over charges and denied access to upper management to secure reasonable discussion and or meaningful remedy. Noise is always present at idle after warmed up. Loud offensive irritating. Contacted several Ford dealers and Ford customer service. Ford refuses to give access to upper management for resolution.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the orange wrench warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose acceleration even as the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact had to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off, restarted after approximately three minutes, and the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure recurred two days later. The contact mentioned that the throttle body was replaced in January of 2018 by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: cas-14503496. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
I bought a used 2013 v6 Ford Mustang used in August 2019. Almost since the begining I've had a problem with it stalling out. The engine itself doesn't stop running but the car loses acceleration and it does not accelerate when the gas is pressed. This has mostly happened when the car is in motion but has also happened when not moving. It has happened mostly while on city streets. This has today I had a problem with this and the check engine light came on. I put a code reader on the port and received the code "p2111 throttle actuator control system stuck open." I believe this is the same problem that was alleged with the 2005-2012 Ford escape vehicle. Https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles/Ford-issues-extended-warranty-to-cover-throttle-body-assemblies.html
Car seemed to have a miss when driving ....after stopping and getting back in and starting car was apparently not running like it supposed to ....also had no gas pedal control at all...was able to turn off and restart and get to a auto parts store to have engine tested ( at this time notice engine light on). Code given was p2111....throttle acuator control system stuck open upon doing research have found numerous complaints on same model car as mine ....also Ford escape has same issue and Ford has extended warranty to fix the problem .......consumer satisfaction program 13n03. I contacted my local Ford dealer and they say not related to my car ...apparently this May be the same issue as mine ....no help from them though
Engine complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Ford Mustang, 8% of the model year's 271 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Mustang engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Ford Mustang, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Mustang engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.