YearToAvoid

2013 Ford F-550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#17 most-complained of 21 F-550 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Ford F-550 has 8 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #17 highest of 21 F-550 model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (3 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire.

Complaints
8
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2013 Ford F-550 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine3 (38%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (25%)
  3. Fuel System1 (13%)
  4. Other1 (13%)
  5. Steering1 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)
2013 Ford F-550 complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2013Sep 2013Jul 2014Sep 2015Dec 2015Jun 2023Dec 2024Jun 2025
9 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2013 to Jun 2025; peak Jul 2014 (2).

2013 Ford F-550 recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 14V360000Jun 23, 2014Other10 vehicles

    Equipment

    Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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: Palfleet 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 on July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.

See all 10 recalls for the 2013 Ford F-550 →

2013 compared with other F-550 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good251517—
2012Caution601915—
2013Best20810—
2014Good30117—
2015Caution70114—

All Ford F-550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford F-550 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Ford F-550 ranks #17 of 21 among F-550 model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Best). It has 8 complaints and 10 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F-550?
The most reported problem areas are engine (3 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (2 complaints), and fuel system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 19,980 miles.
Does the 2013 Ford F-550 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford F-550, most recently reported 2015, covering transmission & powertrain and other.

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.