2013 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Ford F-350 has 86 NHTSA complaints, 13 recall campaigns, and a complaint index of 15, but the verdict is capped to Caution because of those 13 dealer-visit recalls. It ranks 18th worst out of 21 model years tracked.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 86
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2013 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some trucks lost fuel pressure while towing at highway speed and then caught fire in the engine compartment, spreading to the truck and trailer.
- Owners describe sudden loud explosions or fuel odor under the vehicle followed by black smoke and engine bay fires.
- The front end develops a violent wobble at highway speed, sometimes leading to replacement of the track bar, stabilizer, and bearings.
- The truck shudders or bounces with wheel hop when accelerating between 20 and 70 mph, which the dealer described as normal truck character.
- Excessive body sway occurs with only slight steering wheel movement, with owners reporting no body stability control at any speed.
- Brakes reportedly wear out far sooner than expected, with one owner citing wear at a fraction of normal brake life.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 86 complaints and 13 recall campaigns for the 2013 F-350, giving it a complaint index of 15. Its verdict is Caution, capped from what the complaint count alone would suggest because of the 13 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Ford F-350?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 35 of the 86 complaints (41%), with a median failure mileage of 120,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Ford F-350 have engine fire recalls or complaints?
- NHTSA records 4 fire incidents among the complaints, several tied to Fuel System and Engine issues where owners reported low fuel pressure warnings before a fire started, at a median mileage of 69,500 miles for engine-related complaints and 12,400 miles for fuel system complaints.
- How does the 2013 F-350 compare to other model years?
- The 2013 model ranks 18th worst of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 15 — better than years like 2017 (95) and 2019 (100), which are rated Avoid.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-350 have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2013 F-350, mostly involving Muncie Power Products PTO assemblies installed by aftermarket truck body companies, plus one Powertrain Control Module software update.