2013 Ford Mustang transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 12V190000May 3, 201210,500 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS · 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 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 “r” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “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 vehicle’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.

What owners say

1. Filed May 6, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2013 ford mustang with 6R80 transmission as my wife was driving down the high way the suddenly shift down to 1 or second at 65 miles per hour and the car skidded out of control almost killing her and the people in the other lain I checked on recalls for this problem and I am getting conflicting answer. It says that some mustang have been recalled for the TCM and most all 6R80 transmission in the f150 and a couple other Ford vehicals that support the same…

   NHTSA complaint #11735968 · source
2. Filed Apr 24, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11733618 · source
3. Filed Apr 1, 2025PRSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11651981 · source
4. Filed Nov 23, 2024TXElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Unexpected downshift to first while driving between 40 mph to 65 mph can lead to complete loss of cruise control, accompanied by a wrench symbol and an error code. Additionally, the speedometer fails to display a reading and may abruptly drop to first gear without any prior warning. signaling low fuel levels

   NHTSA complaint #11626958 · source
5. Filed Oct 11, 202357,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly. The transmission warning light, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) and the lead frame control module were defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…

   NHTSA complaint #11549430 · source
6. Filed Aug 10, 2023FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The 2013 Mustang (with 67,071 miles) transmission (6R80) downshifted to 1st gear at highway speeds exactly like the F-150 recall and would also shift out of gear. It could have been catastrophic, but was able to keep control of the vehicle. Was able to get the car home and only drove it to the dealership after this incident. The dash showed the airbag light, no mileage and the wrench similar to the F 150 issue, which pictures are available. Teh vehicle would also…

   NHTSA complaint #11537607 · source
7. Filed Jun 6, 202390,000 miTNElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the RPM was elevated. The vehicle then shifted into LIMP Mode and drove erratically. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the fuel gauge was indicating that the fuel tank was empty however, but there was fuel in the tank. The contact stated that the speedometer showed the vehicle at 0 MPH while the RPM was…

   NHTSA complaint #11525580 · source
8. Filed Apr 2, 2023NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Goes into neutral at times ,acceleration from a stop going thru a intersection and then into neutral almost have to stop in traffic to get it to go has done it 4-5 times not consistent other then that shifts normally but very inconsistent and dangerous car has 79k miles on it.

   NHTSA complaint #11515007 · source
9. Filed Sep 20, 2022CAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2013 Ford Mustang V6 coupe with Automatic transmission. I purchased the car Certified Pre Owned through Ken Grody Ford in Carlsbad, CA with Less then ~11,000 miles on it in 2/2014. I have been complaining of a jerk/ knock at ~ 1-1.6 RPM’s when idling & driving in stop and go traffic/ off ramps/ on ramps and parking lots - it appears to come from the transmission area. Fast forward to complaining over the years during service intervals ~ 2x a year for for the works…

   NHTSA complaint #11485571 · source
10. Filed Sep 12, 2022TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle suddenly downshifted on it's own from highway speed and set several malfunction indicator lamps, nearly caused a highway speed collision. Checked codes afterwards and P1500 Vehicle Speed Sensor malfunction code was present, this is a known issue with this type and make of vehicle but this vehicle has somehow been omitted from a safety recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11483957 · source
11. Filed Jun 16, 2022112,000 miCATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that twice while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk as the vehicle independently downshifted without warning. After each failure, the contact was unable to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the battery and other engine parts were replaced; however, three days later, the failure recurred. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign…

    NHTSA complaint #11469571 · source
12. Filed Jan 29, 2022FLTransmission & Drivetrain

    This an update to November 13, 2021 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11440318 The problem continued and I could not risk an accident so I brought it to my Ford dealer who was able to replicate the problem and diagnosed it as failed sensors in the "Molded Lead frame". The work was performed(copies attached) and there has been no recurrence of the problem. The same problem that was in the recall for 2011-2012 Mustangs! "Randomly while driving there is the engine revs up but car does not go…

    NHTSA complaint #11449384 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology