FordMustang2013Overview/ford/mustang/2013/base/

2013 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Mustang.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Ford Mustang is a passenger car requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year is associated with six recalls and 271 total owner complaints, with air bags identified as the top complaint area. Within the broader model complaint history spanning 1990 to 2026, the 2013 version sits between the peak of 868 complaints seen in 2005 and the low of 4 complaints projected for 2026.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96r · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96r · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3999 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.2–5.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.20 sec — 2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Boss 302 Laguna Seca 5.0L V84.20 sec12.70 sec444 hpRWD
2013GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec420 hpRWD
2013GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.70 sec420 hpRWD
2013GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.50 sec13.00 sec420 hpRWD
2013GT Premium Convertible 5.0L V84.80 sec13.30 sec420 hpRWD
2013GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V85.10 sec13.50 sec420 hpRWD
2013V6 Premium Coupe 3.7L V65.20 sec13.90 sec305 hpRWD
2013V6 Premium Coupe 3.7L V65.30 sec13.90 sec305 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.8
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub251 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number96r

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-202 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle85
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessRear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.181 in / 1.141 in / 1.118 in / 0.685 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
14.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 454.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10515 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 74 ft. lbs., step 4: 90103 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
230 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
230 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

114.7 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
237.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6015 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Upper intake only: step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., step 2: 18.414 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 8 new exhaust manifold stud8.8 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 10,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Ford Mustang represents a notable improvement over the troubled 2011–2012 period, which saw elevated complaint volumes (466 and 469, respectively) and one NHTSA investigation each year. In 2013, complaints dropped sharply to 271, the lowest level since 2009, while investigations fell to zero and recalls remained stable at 6. However, this year sits at a transitional point: 2015 would later surge to 434 complaints, 11 recalls, and 3 investigations, suggesting the generation's issues were not fully resolved. The 2013 data reveals that Air Bag complaints dominate at 140 of the 271 total—accounting for over half—while Power Train (35), Engine (7), and crash-related complaints (16) are comparatively modest. Fire complaints are minimal at 2. The data does not specify the root cause of the Air Bag clustering. Compared to the peak troubled years of 2005–2007 (which saw complaints of 868, 573, and 615), 2013 appears relatively refined, though not without lingering concerns. A concrete takeaway: 2013 is among the better years within this generation, but prospective buyers should prioritize a thorough inspection of the Air Bag system and verify that all applicable recalls have been addressed, given the complaint concentration in that area.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
66
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
271
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 271 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags140
Power Train35
Unknown Or Other8
Engine7
Steering6
Vehicle Speed Control6
Structure6
Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

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… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

18V046000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 11/01/2018

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… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25H05 S12026-04-29Electrical SystemHarvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25H052025-11-18Electrical SystemThis is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mustang. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Mustang take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.