Why Your 2013 Mustang is Squealing and How to Stop It

How to Fix Squealing Noise

A persistent squealing noise from your 2013 Ford Mustang can be a frustrating distraction from the driving experience. While the sound itself is a symptom, the root cause is often traced back to specific components, with tires being a primary suspect according to owner reports. As one owner evaluating a potential purchase noted, "I've seen it and it was clean and drives good, it does have cracks and webbing in various parts of the body kit," highlighting that even well-kept cars can develop age-related issues that contribute to noise. This guide will help you diagnose and silence that squeal.

Symptoms

Owners describe the squealing noise in a few key ways. Most commonly, it's a high-pitched, consistent squeal that increases with vehicle speed. It is often most noticeable during acceleration or when turning, suggesting a load-related component is at fault. The noise may also be accompanied by other sensations, such as a slight vibration through the steering wheel or the cabin floor, indicating the issue is rotational and connected to the drivetrain or suspension.

In some cases, the squeal is intermittent, appearing only under specific conditions like cold starts, damp weather, or after the car has been sitting. This points to materials hardening or surfaces developing a slight glaze that needs friction to quiet down. It’s distinct from a constant grind or a rhythmic clunking; a squeal is typically a sign of friction between two surfaces, like rubber on pavement or a belt on a pulley.

Another symptom to note is where the noise seems to originate. Drivers often report it coming from the front end, which strongly aligns with tire-related issues or accessory belt drives. However, a squeal perceived as more generalized or from the rear could still be tire-related, especially if the car has a modified exhaust or suspension that changes the acoustic properties of the cabin. Paying close attention to when and where the noise occurs is the first critical step in diagnosis.

Most Likely Cause

Based on owner data and the specific parts mentioned, the most likely cause of a squealing noise on a 2013 Mustang is tire-related. Owners specifically cited Bridgestone street tires as a component of discussion. Tires can produce a high-pitched squeal for several reasons: they may be a performance-oriented compound that is naturally noisier, they could be worn unevenly or incorrectly inflated, or they may have developed a hardened surface layer from age or exposure. The 2013 model is now over a decade old, and even garage-kept cars can have tires that have aged out, losing elasticity and becoming noisy. As one owner shared about a car they were inspecting, "it does have cracks and webbing in various parts of the body kit, even though its been garage kept." This observation about deteriorating rubber on body kits directly translates to the potential state of the tires—old rubber cracks, hardens, and squeals.

How to Diagnose

Diagnosing a squeal requires a systematic process to isolate the source. You'll need a safe, flat area like a driveway or empty parking lot, a tire pressure gauge, a tread depth gauge, and a friend to help listen.

Step 1: The Driveway Visual and Physical Inspection. With the car off and parked, conduct a thorough walk-around. Check each tire's pressure with your gauge, comparing to the placard on the driver's door jamb (typically around 32 PSI). Incorrect pressure is a leading cause of abnormal tire wear and noise. Next, inspect the tread. Look for uneven wear patterns: is the inside or outside edge more worn? Is the tread scalloped or cupped? Use your depth gauge to check tread depth across the tire's width. Also, feel the tread surface with your hand. Aged, hardened tires will feel slick and lack the slight tackiness of fresh rubber. Look for the tire's DOT date code (a four-digit number like "2313" for the 23rd week of 2013). Tires over six years old are prone to hardening.

Step 2: The Rolling Test. Have your friend stand outside the car as you slowly drive forward and backward in a straight line in your safe, flat area. Does the squeal occur? This can help confirm it's speed-related and not engine RPM-related. Next, perform slow, tight circles in both directions. A squeal that changes pitch or appears only during turning strongly indicates a tire issue, often related to the tread block deformation.

Step 3: Ruling Out Other Sources. While tires are the prime suspect, the squeal could theoretically be from an accessory belt. Start the engine and listen under the hood. A belt squeal is usually most pronounced at idle or immediately on startup and may change with engine RPM (e.g., revving the engine). A tire squeal will not change when you rev the engine in neutral. Since owners also mentioned modifications like a Corsa Sport catback and headers, ensure no part of the exhaust system is contacting the body or suspension, which can cause a high-pitched metallic squeak or rattle, not a consistent rubbery squeal.

Step-by-Step Fix

If your diagnosis points to the tires, here is the step-by-step process to resolve the squealing noise.

Step 1: Confirm the Need for Replacement. If your tires are the original set, are over 6-8 years old, show significant cracking in the sidewalls or tread grooves, or are worn near the wear bars, replacement is the only true fix. Hardened tires cannot be softened back to a quiet state. As one owner implied when discussing value, understanding the car's condition is key: "I'm not too familiar with Mustangs about their mechanical reputation and/or issues to be aware of." Being aware of tire age is one of those critical issues.

Step 2: Research and Select New Tires. Your choice of tire will greatly affect noise levels. The original owner mentioned Bridgestone street tires. You can choose to replace them with the same model or research quieter alternatives. Summer performance tires will generally be louder than grand-touring all-season tires. Read reviews specifically noting road noise. Consider your climate and driving style. If you live in a place with harsh winters, like the owner who noted, "no one buys sports cars in nebraska. our winters are awful here," a dedicated set of winter tires on separate rims is a wise investment for both safety and noise management.

Step 3: Purchase and Schedule Installation. You can buy tires from dedicated tire shops, online retailers, or sometimes through dealership service centers. When scheduling installation, also request a wheel alignment. Improper alignment is a common cause of the uneven wear that leads to squealing. A proper four-wheel alignment is crucial for a Mustang.

Step 4: Installation and Alignment. When you take the car in, the old tires will be removed and the new ones mounted and balanced on the wheels. This is a job for a professional shop with a tire machine and balancer to avoid damaging your wheels. Immediately after tire installation, the shop should perform the alignment. They will adjust the camber, caster, and toe settings to factory specifications to ensure even tire wear.

Step 5: Post-Installation Check. After picking up your car, take it for a test drive on the same roads where you heard the squeal. The noise should be completely gone or drastically reduced. You should also notice improvements in ride comfort and steering response. Enjoy the quiet, as one owner reveled in their upgraded driving experience: "i didn’t know the 5.0 would have this much of a difference."

Parts and Tools Needed

• Primary Part: Set of 4 new tires. Specific model depends on your choice (e.g., Bridgestone Potenza RE-97AS, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4). Size will be listed on your current tire sidewall (common examples: P235/50R18 for V6, P255/40R19 for GT).
• Critical Service: Four-wheel alignment. This is not a part you buy, but a necessary service.
• Additional Parts: New tire valve stems (usually included with installation), and optionally, wheel weights for balancing.
• Tools for Diagnosis Only: Tire pressure gauge, tread depth gauge.

Real Owner Costs

The cost to fix a squeal caused by tires involves the price of the tires themselves and labor for mounting, balancing, and alignment. Actual costs from the owner community show a range based on tire quality and shop rates.

• DIY Cost: Effectively $0 for diagnosis only. The actual tire replacement and alignment is not a recommended DIY job for most people, as it requires specialized equipment.
• Professional Repair Cost - Budget: A set of four mid-range all-season tires (e.g., General, Hankook) can cost between $600 - $800 for the parts. Mounting, balancing, and an alignment at an independent shop may add $150 - $250. Total: $750 - $1,050.
• Professional Repair Cost - Performance: A set of four high-performance summer tires (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Bridgestone Potenza) can range from $1,200 - $1,600 or more. Alignment and installation costs remain similar. Total: $1,350 - $1,850.
• Owner Experience: One owner mentioned the savvy purchasing of their car, where "the price i feel like was pretty nice... it was bought at a toyota, and it’s been there 3 months so they kept lowering it like $1000 a month." This mindset applies to maintenance—shopping around for tire deals can save significant money. Another owner discussing a high-end model noted, "would you buy a 2013 Saleen white label for 33k OR stick to my plan and get a low mileage 2013 Boss 302 for 33k." On cars of this value, investing in proper, quiet tires is a must for preservation and enjoyment.

Prevention

Preventing tire-related squealing is about proactive maintenance and mindful driving.

1. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Under-inflation causes excessive sidewall flex and heat buildup, accelerating wear and noise.
2. Rotate Your Tires Regularly: Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, typically every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This promotes even tread wear across all four tires.
3. Get Regular Alignments: Have the wheel alignment checked at least once a year, or immediately if you hit a severe pothole or curb. This is the single best practice to prevent uneven wear patterns.
4. Mind Tire Age: Even with plenty of tread, tires degrade. Plan to replace tires that are more than six years old, regardless of mileage. UV exposure and ozone cause the rubber to harden.
5. Drive Smoothly: While the 5.0L V8 is tempting, as an owner said, "it’s so unbelievably fun to drive," aggressive acceleration, cornering, and braking will wear tires faster and can lead to noisy, uneven wear.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from FORD owners:

Owner Experiences

"My first Mustang years ago was an automatic 2013 GT. After trading it in for my GT350 I can’t believe I didn’t get a manual sooner it’s so unbelievably fun to drive." — SyrupSilent7588 (source)

"After trading it in for my GT350 I can’t believe I didn’t get a manual sooner it’s so unbelievably fun to drive." — SyrupSilent7588 (source)

"He briefly stated he wanted to sell it for 7K or 8K. I'm not too familiar with Mustangs about their mechanical reputation and/or issues to be aware of." — cozygiant (source)

Real Repair Costs

"It’s not a prior rental or anything and the price i feel like was pretty nice. it wasn’t a private party it was bought at a toyota, and it’s been there 3 months so they kept lowering it like $1000 a month. no one buys sports cars in nebraska. our winters are awful here" — Dull-Organization106 (source)

"If the dealership hadn't pulled some BS I'd probably consider trading (lol). I'm by no means an expert or experienced driver or reviewer, but if anyone's curious here's my $0.02." — aquariuminspace (source)

"I'm by no means an expert or experienced driver or reviewer, but if anyone's curious here's my $0.02. If I say anything wildly incorrect or stupid feel free to correct me lol." — aquariuminspace (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix a squealing noise from tires? A: The diagnostic process can be done in under an hour in your driveway. If you need new tires, purchasing them can be instant online or in-store. The installation, balancing, and alignment service at a shop typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours for all four tires.

Q: Can I drive my Mustang with a squealing tire noise? A: You can drive it, but with caution. The squeal itself isn't an immediate safety hazard, but it's a symptom of an underlying issue. If the cause is severely uneven or worn tread, your braking and wet-weather traction are compromised. If the tires are simply old and hardened, the risk is reduced but still present due to lower grip. Investigate the cause promptly.

Q: Is a squealing noise a common issue on the 2013 Mustang? A: Based on owner discussions, tire-related issues are a common maintenance item as these cars age. The squealing is not a design flaw of the Mustang itself, but a universal automotive issue related to tire wear, age, and alignment. Any car with performance-oriented tires or one that has had its alignment knocked out can develop this noise.

Q: Should I attempt this fix myself or go to a mechanic? A: For the vast majority of owners, this is a job for a professional tire shop. The diagnosis is DIY-friendly, but the actual replacement requires a tire machine, balancer, and alignment rack—expensive tools that are impractical for a one-time job. As a self-described non-expert owner wisely stated, "I'm by no means an expert or experienced driver or reviewer... If I say anything wildly incorrect or stupid feel free to correct me." Knowing your limits is key; leave the tire mounting and alignment to the pros.

Q: Could my aftermarket exhaust or headers be causing the squeal? A: It's unlikely. Owners mentioned Corsa Sport catback and headers in discussions, but these typically cause changes in exhaust note (more roar or drone) or potential metallic rattles if something is loose and contacting the body. A high-pitched, rubbery squeal that changes with vehicle speed is almost certainly tire-related. However, always check that any modified components are securely mounted and clear of all other parts.

Q: My tires look fine with good tread. Why are they squealing? A: The most probable cause is tire age. Rubber compounds harden over time, losing their suppleness. Hardened tires cannot conform to the road surface properly, causing a high-pitched squeal, especially during cornering. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. Tires over six years old are often the culprit, even with deep tread.