2013 Ford F-450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 F-450 years
The 2013 Ford F-450 ranks 13th of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 20 and only 8 complaints logged, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other F-450 years. It has 9 recalls, mostly tied to PTO pressure switches on modified chassis, but no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Ford F-450 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (25%)
- Structure & Body2 (25%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Fuel System1 (13%)
- Other1 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine limp mode triggered by a P2201 code, cutting power and forcing the truck back to the shop, in one case at 7,804 miles.
- Radiator leaks were reported at the joint between the plastic end cap and aluminum core near the front bumper.
- Some owners describe the rear window popping out of its gasket without breaking, allowing water to leak onto the seats and floor.
- One owner reported a fuel tank detaching from the frame during an ambulance emergency call, with frame cracking noted across multiple similar trucks.
- Integrated trailer brake failure was reported on a mountain grade with no warning from the truck, requiring manual brake control.
- A fuel system failure was linked to the CP4 high-pressure fuel injection pump, reported at 49,000 miles.
2013 Ford F-450 recalls
9 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 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.
- NHTSA 14V411000Jul 8, 2014Engine2 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
J.C. Madigan, Inc. (J.C. Madigan) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550, and one model year 2013 Ford F-450 chassis with a 6.8L gasoline engine dump trucks equipped with certain PTO Assembly Pressure Switches, part number 30T37594, manufactured June 2009 through June 2013, used in power take off (PTO) assemblies. The switch may begin leaking oil.
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: J.C. Madigan will notify 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 in September 2014. Owners may contact J.C. Madigan customer service at 1-978-847-2900.
2013 compared with other F-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford F-450 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2013 F-450 has a Complaint Index of 20, one of the lowest among F-450 model years, and ranks 13th worst out of 16 years tracked, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2013 Ford F-450 have?
- NHTSA complaints cite engine issues (25% of complaints, including a limp-mode code and radiator leak), structure and body concerns like a detached fuel tank and loose rear window, plus isolated brake, fuel system, and suspension complaints.
- Does the 2013 Ford F-450 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2013 F-450, most involving Muncie PTO pressure switch assemblies on trucks modified with equipment by third-party body companies, plus a Powertrain Control Module software update for ambulance/fire packages.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2013 F-450?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure is 46,000 miles, though individual problem areas ranged from 7,804 miles for a powertrain issue to 117,000 miles for a brake issue.