2013 Ford E-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Ford E-150 has a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of 14 model years for this van, and NHTSA lists 6 recalls. Engine and transmission issues each account for 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 82,800 miles overall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 E-150 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12.5 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2013 Ford E-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (37%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (37%)
- Other5 (26%)
- Brakes3 (16%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Structure & Body2 (11%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power and displays a wrench warning light on the dash while driving on the highway, sometimes entering limp-home mode.
- Truck shakes and loses acceleration, then restarts and runs fine minutes later, with the wrench warning reappearing repeatedly.
- Transmission suddenly downshifts to first gear at highway speed, locking the rear wheels and causing tire screech.
- Transmission gets stuck between gears, with the speedometer dropping to zero and the vehicle entering failsafe mode.
- Power steering assist fails along with a hill descent control fault warning while driving downhill at low speed.
- Sunroof mechanism breaks and the sunroof becomes stuck in the open position while the vehicle is moving.
2013 Ford E-150 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V729000Nov 4, 2015Other667 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 14V641000Oct 10, 2014Other834 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Works customer service at 1-800-769-8267 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
2013 Ford E-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12.5 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other E-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford E-150 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 E-150 ranks 2nd worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 6 recall campaigns, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other E-150 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford E-150?
- Engine problems make up 37% of complaints and transmission/powertrain problems make up another 37%, with engine issues showing a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles and transmission issues at 110,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Ford E-150 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2013 E-150, most involving wheelchair lift equipment installed by outside mobility conversion companies, plus one covering a CNG fuel system modification.
- Which Ford E-150 model years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data gives Avoid verdicts to the 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2013 E-150 model years, while 2014, 2015, and 2016 earn Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes of 8, 15, and 23.