2013 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Ford F-150 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 21 model years covered, and is ranked worst overall (rank 1). It carries 2,981 complaints, 3 recalls, and is rated Avoid, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 45% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,981
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 77
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 35
- Injuries
- 64
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 64 / 4
Top 2013 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,336 (45%)
- Engine767 (26%)
- Brakes391 (13%)
- Electrical System332 (11%)
- Other229 (8%)
- Steering216 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers177 (6%)
- Fuel System159 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires64 (2%)
- Structure & Body62 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported while parked or shortly after driving, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
- Sudden loss of power during hard acceleration, especially reported by EcoBoost engine owners.
- Unexpected shifts into reverse or unintended movement while the truck was believed to be in park.
- Steering loss while cornering at highway speed, in one case resulting in a guardrail impact.
- Brake failure after the vehicle sat parked for hours, traced to a master cylinder gasket defect.
- Starter continuing to run after the ignition was turned off, leading to smoke and a small engine fire.
2013 Ford F-150 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V433000Jun 10, 2019Transmission & Powertrain107,857 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0L or 6.2L gasoline engines, that previously had the powertrain control module (PCM) software reprogrammed under recall 19V-075. The software used to reprogram the PCM did not have the necessary updates to prevent the transmission from unexpectedly downshifting into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S19.
- NHTSA 19V075000Feb 11, 2019Transmission & Powertrain1,263,051 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.
- NHTSA 16V345000May 24, 2016Brakes225,012 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
Risk: Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S24.
2013 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Compared with other F-150 model years, 2013 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 of 21 years covered. NHTSA data shows 2,981 complaints and a top problem area of Transmission & Powertrain at 45% of complaints, so it's rated Avoid relative to other F-150 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 F-150?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 45% of complaints (median mileage 94,000), followed by Engine problems at 26% (median mileage 62,500) and Brakes at 13% (median mileage 60,700).
- Does the 2013 Ford F-150 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 19V075000 for a 6-speed automatic that may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, and recall 19V433000 for a related powertrain control module software reprogram, both affecting the 2013 F-150.
- Are there brake recalls for the 2013 F-150?
- Yes. Recall 16V345000 covers 2013-2014 F-150 trucks with 3.5L engines where the master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, causing a brake fluid issue.
- How does 2013 compare to other F-150 years?
- The 2013 F-150 has the highest complaint index (100) among the 21 years listed, worse than 2011 (85), 2012 (75), and 2018 (95), all also rated Avoid.