How common are transmission problems in the 2013 Ford F-150?

NHTSA lists 1,336 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 F-150, which is 45% of all 2,981 complaints filed for this model year.

Is there a recall for the 2013 Ford F-150 transmission?

Yes. Recall 19V-075000 covers 2011-2013 F-150 trucks with a 6-speed automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of speed, and recall 19V-433000 covers a related PCM software reprogram for 5.0L and 6.2L engines.

At what mileage do these transmission problems typically appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2013 F-150 is 94,000 miles.

Have the transmission issues caused crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2013 F-150 shows 25 crashes, 4 fires, and 29 injuries reported.

How does the 2013 F-150 compare to other years for this problem?

The 2013 F-150 has the highest share among the years listed, at 45% of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain, compared to 38% in 2011, 38% in 2012, and 28% in 2014.

2013 Ford F-150 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 1,336 of 2,981 total complaints (45%) on the 2013 Ford F-150, with a median failure mileage of 94,000. Two related recalls (19V-433000 and 19V-075000) address unexpected downshifts and PCM software issues tied to this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 1,336; 45% of 2,981
Crashes reported: 25
Fires reported: 4
Injuries reported: 29
Median mileage: 94,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Vehicle unexpectedly downshifts into first gear at highway speed, causing the rear wheels to lock up and the truck to spin or fishtail.
Transmission randomly disengages cruise control and shows erratic downshifting, with the speedometer dropping to zero before returning to actual speed.
From a stop, the truck attempts to move forward already in a high gear, requiring the driver to shift to neutral and back to drive before it will accelerate.
Owners report the truck rolling backward on its own while parked, even with no one inside.
Sudden loss of steering assist accompanied by a service and power steering warning light, forcing the vehicle to be towed.
Owners say they only learned about the downshift recall after already experiencing a crash caused by the same defect.

When 2013 Ford F-150 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 11, 2013, latest Sep 17, 2026.

1336 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (110).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150

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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by F-150 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010121 (14%)
2011825 (38%)
2012679 (38%)
20131,336 (45%)
2014424 (28%)
2015406 (24%)
2016582 (28%)
2017539 (38%)
20181,008 (44%)
2019730 (55%)
2020354 (49%)
2021314 (31%)
2022157 (26%)
2023156 (38%)
202455 (29%)
202525 (24%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2013 Ford F-150?: NHTSA lists 1,336 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 F-150, which is 45% of all 2,981 complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Ford F-150 transmission?: Yes. Recall 19V-075000 covers 2011-2013 F-150 trucks with a 6-speed automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of speed, and recall 19V-433000 covers a related PCM software reprogram for 5.0L and 6.2L engines.
At what mileage do these transmission problems typically appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2013 F-150 is 94,000 miles.
Have the transmission issues caused crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2013 F-150 shows 25 crashes, 4 fires, and 29 injuries reported.
How does the 2013 F-150 compare to other years for this problem?: The 2013 F-150 has the highest share among the years listed, at 45% of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain, compared to 38% in 2011, 38% in 2012, and 28% in 2014.