2013 Ford F-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 F-350 years
The 2013 Ford F-350 ranks 15th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 7 and a "Best" verdict relative to other F-350 years. NHTSA lists 86 complaints and 13 recalls, with suspension, wheels & tires (41%) and steering (37%) as the top reported problem areas.
- Complaints
- 86
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Ford F-350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires35 (41%)
- Steering32 (37%)
- Engine20 (23%)
- Fuel System8 (9%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Other5 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
- Electrical System3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires preceded by a "low fuel pressure" warning while towing or driving at highway speed.
- Some describe a fuel smell followed by a loud explosion and black smoke coming from underneath the truck.
- Front-end wobble at highway speed has been reported, with dealers replacing track bar, stabilizer, bearings, and other steering components.
- Owners describe shuddering or "wheel hop" during acceleration and at speeds between 20 and 70 mph, which a dealer reportedly called normal truck character.
- Some report the engine stalling at low speed with the starter staying engaged, traced to metal shavings found in the fuel pump.
- Premature brake wear has been reported, with owners saying brakes wore out well before expected mileage.
2013 Ford F-350 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V175000Mar 25, 2015Transmission & Powertrain6,322 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
Risk: Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.
- NHTSA 14V507000Aug 18, 2014Other76 vehicles
Equipment
Jerr-Dan Corporation (Jerr-Dan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Superduty chassis modified by Jerr-Dan and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Risk: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Jerr-Dan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Jerr-Dan customer service at 1-800-926-9666.
- NHTSA 14V498000Aug 13, 2014Other3 vehicles
Equipment
PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Risk: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.
2013 compared with other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford F-350 a good year?
- Yes, relative to other F-350 model years. It has the lowest complaint index (7) among the 16 model years covered and carries a "Best" verdict, with 86 complaints and 13 recalls reported to NHTSA.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Ford F-350?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top reported problem area, accounting for 41% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 120,000 miles. Steering follows at 37% of complaints.
- Does the 2013 Ford F-350 have engine fire complaints?
- NHTSA lists 4 fire reports for the 2013 F-350, including complaints describing engine compartment fires that occurred after a "low fuel pressure" dashboard warning while towing.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-350 have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2013 Ford F-350, most involving aftermarket chassis modifiers and Muncie Power Products PTO assemblies, plus a Ford powertrain control module software update recall.
- How does the 2013 F-350 compare to other years like 2017 or 2019?
- The 2013 F-350 has a complaint index of 7, far lower than the 2017 model year's 93 and the 2019 model year's 100, both of which carry "Avoid" verdicts.