YearToAvoid

2013 Ford F-250 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 22 engine-related complaints for the 2013 Ford F-250, 19% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 53,296. No related recall is on file for this problem area.

Engine complaints
22
19% of 116
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
53,297 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Radiator develops a coolant leak at the plastic seams near the drain petcock, often before the powertrain warranty ends, and leaks anywhere the truck is parked.
  • Engine surges or stalls unexpectedly at highway speed, sometimes with cruise control engaged, and can recur repeatedly without a clear diagnosis.
  • Exhaust gas sensors fail repeatedly, triggering dashboard warnings and requiring multiple dealer visits to replace.
  • A spark plug can blow out of the cylinder head, dropping fragments into the cylinder and causing internal engine damage that requires an engine replacement.
  • High-pressure coolant loss from a cracked radiator can occur with no visible leak while idle, raising risk of sudden power loss while driving.

When 2013 Ford F-250 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 14, 2014, latest Nov 15, 2025.

2013 Ford F-250 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2014Apr 2015May 2016Jul 2017Aug 2018May 2019Apr 2021
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Nov 2025; peak Feb 2015 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Ford F-250

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by F-250 model year

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

  1. 201023 (22%)
  2. 201168 (18%)
  3. 201263 (20%)
  4. 201322 (19%)
  5. 201421 (13%)
  6. 201549 (17%)
  7. 201635 (12%)
  8. 201751 (4%)
  9. 201818 (5%)
  10. 201936 (3%)
  11. 202033 (13%)
  12. 202115 (9%)
  13. 202222 (18%)
  14. 202312 (28%)
  15. 20244 (11%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ford F-250?
NHTSA lists 22 engine-related complaints for the 2013 F-250, which is 19% of the 116 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 F-250 engine problems?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do 2013 F-250 engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints is 53,296 miles.
What is the most serious engine issue reported for the 2013 F-250?
Owners report a spark plug blowing out of the cylinder head and causing internal cylinder damage that required an engine replacement, plus one case involving a fire.
Is engine trouble worse in the 2013 F-250 than other F-250 years?
The 19% share for 2013 is lower than the 22% seen in 2010 and 20% in 2012, but higher than the 4% and 5% shares reported in 2017 and 2018.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.