Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Mustang electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Ford Mustang have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Mustang | 7 |
| 2010 Mustang | 10 |
| 2011 Mustang | 19 |
| 2012 Mustang | 15 |
| 2013 Mustang (this page) | 11 |
| 2014 Mustang | 7 |
| 2015 Mustang | 58 |
| 2016 Mustang | 67 |
| 2017 Mustang | 32 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications as an alternate channel to access vehicle commands such as door lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle location, etc. The battery drain may be caused by excessive calls for data through the vehicle network keeping it in an activated state. Recommend that the customer uninstall the app to ensure this is not contributing to battery symptoms experienced. Advise the customer that unaffiliated third-party app developers do not work directly with Ford to adhere to security, vehicle communication, and privac
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework may be necessary for some vehicle environments. Bend the new positive battery cable clamp as needed and crimp it to the existing battery cable. Make sure to use heat shrink tubing over the battery cable
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit inoperative or intermittent HVAC blower motor function at various fan speed settings. This may be due to a poor electrical connection at the blower motor speed control. If the blower motor speed control is determined to be the causal part, replacement of the electrical connector pigtail harness (14S411) to the blower motor speed control is also recommended to avoid repeat repairs. Use pigtail harness service part numbers 3U2Z-14S411-ZEA or CU2Z-14S411-FA, as both parts are interchangeable. Refer to Wi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM). To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC control valve tester has been developed and is available from Rotunda (339-EVDC100). A tester has been provided to each U.S. dealership free of charge with shipments completed 19-Apr-2019 (reference EFC07013 on FMCDealer.com). This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnecessary compressor replacement. Make sure that this tester is used for warranty repairs and document the test results in
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this 2013 Mustang have logged electrical gremlins across multiple systems. The most serious problem is throttle actuator failure (code P2111)—the engine stops responding to pedal input even though it keeps running, forcing owners to restart at stoplights and in traffic. Two owners found the same issue documented under Ford's extended warranty for 2005–2012 Escapes, yet dealers deny it applies here.
Instrument clusters fail without warning: speedometers go dead, headlights black out while driving, and dashboard warning lights illuminate sporadically. One owner's dash went completely dark at 65 mph on the highway. Another had a complete instrument panel blackout at just 9,700 miles.
Unintended acceleration appears in at least two complaints—vehicles lunged forward from stops without driver input, trapping one owner in an intersection. One car also shifted gears on its own during normal driving.
AC and climate control quit intermittently and sometimes need an engine restart to restore function. One owner reports water flooding the interior six months after purchase, destroying wipers and AC repeatedly. Door panels rattle during acceleration and music playback; multiple dealer visits and replacements haven't fixed it. Lights flicker on and off. A few owners describe complete electrical shutdowns.
Same Ford Mustang electrical reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
AC/Climate Control Intermittent Failure
AC compressor or blower control stops working intermittently, often resolving temporarily after engine restart. Owners also report windows fogging up shortly after cold start.
When: Intermittent over 2+ years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: No air flow when AC button pressed; Windows fog up after cold start; Problem resolves after turning engine off and restarting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealer unable to diagnose—issue did not occur during warranty inspection
Throttle Actuator Control System Malfunction
Engine loses acceleration response when throttle pedal is pressed, with dashboard warning lights illuminating. Diagnostic code P2111 (Throttle Actuator Control System Stuck Open) appears. Owner notes similar issue documented in 2005–2012 Ford Escape under extended warranty program 13N03.
When: Starting at 5.5 years ownership; also reported early in ownership for another V6 owner
Symptoms owners cite: No gas pedal response / throttle does not engage; Loss of acceleration while driving or at stops; Check engine light illuminates; Engine continues to run but cannot accelerate; Misfire sensation while driving
Codes mentioned: P2111
Repairs/costs cited: Mentioned engine wire harness replacement (did not resolve issue in one case)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealers deny relation to known throttle body assembly issue; Ford Escape owners covered under Consumer Satisfaction Program 13N03 for same failure
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle lurches or accelerates forward without driver input, including while stopped at traffic lights or when driver foot is on brake pedal.
When: Occurred at least twice: once at 5.5 years of ownership; one incident at low mileage with vehicle stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward while parked or at traffic light with brake applied; Acceleration without foot on gas pedal; One case: car jolted forward while driver attempted braking before red light
Instrument Cluster / Speedometer Failure
Speedometer becomes completely inoperative; dashboard warning lights illuminate. One case involved speedometer needle dropping to zero on freeway at 65 mph; another showed speedometer and instrument panel failure.
When: At 72,000 miles; also occurred on freeway at 65 mph during throttle control event
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer reads zero or becomes inoperable; Instrument panel lights illuminate or go dark; Warning lights on dashboard illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicated lead frame replacement needed; repair not completed
Headlight and Instrument Panel Blackout
Headlights fail to illuminate and entire instrument panel becomes inoperative for several moments while driving. Both systems recover after brief period.
When: At 9,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights suddenly extinguish while activated; Entire instrument panel becomes inoperative; Systems resume operation after few moments
Flickering Interior and Exterior Lights
Interior and exterior lights flicker on and off, fading in and out. Owner notes concurrent Takata airbag recall issue.
When: During ownership of 2013 model
Symptoms owners cite: Lights fade in and out; Lights flicker on and off repeatedly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata airbag recall applies; owner waited 5+ years for airbag replacement
Water Intrusion and Electrical System Degradation
Vehicle interior flooded with water; electrical system deteriorates as a result. AC and windshield wiper systems repeatedly fail and are destroyed by water damage. Traction control system cycles on and off.
When: Discovered 6 months after purchase from Carvana
Symptoms owners cite: Interior flooded with water; Wipers repeatedly fail and get destroyed; AC repeatedly fails and gets destroyed; Traction control system intermittently disables
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair attempts for wipers and AC; both components repeatedly destroyed by water
Door Panel Rattle
Interior door panels rattle and vibrate audibly during acceleration and when stereo plays. Persistent despite multiple dealer visits and panel replacement.
When: Chronic issue during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Door panels rattle during acceleration; Door panels rattle when stereo plays; Noise described as distracting; may impair ability to hear traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Door panels replaced multiple times at multiple dealers with no resolution
Complete Power Loss and Stall
Engine stalls and vehicle loses all electrical power completely. Owner reports no recall issued for their specific VIN.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown; Total loss of electrical power
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for owner's VIN
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Ford Mustang?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Ford Mustang?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 50,190 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Mustang.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.