YearToAvoid

2013 Ford Mustang Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 20 Electrical System complaints for the 2013 Ford Mustang, 7% of its 271 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,000. One injury and no fires or crashes are recorded, and one related recall covers a transmission range sensor issue.

Electrical System complaints
20
7% of 271
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
51,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Instrument panel and headlights have been reported to briefly go dark while driving at highway speed.
  • Owners describe unexpected loss of acceleration or stalling-like behavior where the engine keeps running but the car will not respond to the gas pedal, sometimes at stop lights.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended downshifts or gear changes at highway speed accompanied by a forceful braking sensation.
  • Interior door panel rattling tied to the stereo system has been reported as unresolved after multiple dealer visits.
  • Stereo panel glass has been described as failing when cleaned with standard glass cleaner.

When 2013 Ford Mustang electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 18, 2012, latest Nov 23, 2024.

2013 Ford Mustang electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month2Sep 2012Feb 2015Sep 2017Jan 2019Oct 2020Apr 2023Nov 2024
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2012 to Nov 2024; peak Apr 2023 (2).

Electrical System recalls for the 2013 Ford Mustang

  1. NHTSA 12V190000May 3, 2012Electrical System10,500 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:back up lights

    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 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.

    Risk: 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 backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicleâ’s not signaling it is in reverse.

    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 relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical System complaints by Mustang model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005229 (32%)
  2. 200637 (9%)
  3. 200738 (6%)
  4. 200816 (5%)
  5. 20098 (4%)
  6. 201014 (5%)
  7. 201124 (5%)
  8. 201224 (5%)
  9. 201320 (7%)
  10. 201412 (3%)
  11. 2015105 (24%)
  12. 201675 (20%)
  13. 201735 (13%)
  14. 201832 (17%)
  15. 201932 (21%)
  16. 202027 (23%)
  17. 20216 (11%)
  18. 20227 (14%)
  19. 20235 (33%)
  20. 202440 (50%)
  21. 20258 (47%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2013 Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA lists 20 Electrical System complaints for the 2013 Ford Mustang, making up 7% of the 271 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Ford Mustang's electrical system?
Yes. Recall 12V190000 covers 2012-2013 Ford Mustang models for a federal safety standard compliance issue related to the transmission range sensor, with dealers inspecting and replacing the part as needed.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2013 Ford Mustang is 51,000 miles.
Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records no crashes or fires tied to these complaints, but one injury is reported.
How does the 2013 Mustang compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2013 Mustang's 7% share is close to 2010-2012 (5% each) but far lower than 2015 (24%) and 2016 (20%), which had much higher shares of electrical complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.