2013 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 1,293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-150, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 1,293
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 26
Fires: 12
Injuries: 29
Median mileage: 121,000 mi

Key facts

Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 771 of 1,293 complaints (60%).
Engine (188) and acceleration & cruise control (147) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 121,000 mi.
Owners reported 26 crashes, 12 fires and 29 injuries.
The 2013 Ford F-150 has 3 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 2nd of 22 Ford F-150 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 167% more complaints than the 2012 model year (485).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Power train	746
Engine	180
Vehicle speed control	142
Unknown or other	109
Electrical system	102
Service brakes	97
Steering	69
Service brakes, hydraulic	29

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Ford F-150 complaints that list mileage.

2013 Ford F-150 recalls (3)

Recall 19V433000Jun 10, 2019107,857 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0L or 6.2L gasoline engines, that previously had the powertrain control module (PCM) software reprogrammed under recall 19V-075. The software used to reprogram the PCM did not have the necessary updates to prevent the transmission from unexpectedly downshifting into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S19.
Recall 19V075000Feb 11, 20191,263,051 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.
Recall 16V345000May 24, 2016225,012 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
Risk: Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S24.

NHTSA defect investigations

RQ17010Opened Dec 25, 2017Closed Oct 22, 2019led to recall 19V075000
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident cla…
PE16003Opened Feb 29, 2016Closed Jul 26, 2016led to recall 16V345000
Master Cylinder External Leak
On May 23, 2016, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a master cylinder defect that could result in loss of the front brake circuit in approximately 225,012 model year 2013 through 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter GTDI engines and built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 22, 2014; and the Kansas City Assembly Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 (NHTSA Recall #16V-345, Ford Recall #16S24).Ford indicated that the rearmost cup seal in the brake master cylinder may roll, resulting in leaka…
PE13018Opened May 22, 2013Closed Apr 7, 2014
Reduced power during hard acceleration
On May 22, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-018 to investigate 95 complaints alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford F-150 trucks.ODI was aware of three technical service bulletins (TSBs) issued by Ford for a condition that was related to moisture accumulation in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) for the turbochargers.A Preliminary Evaluation was opened to gather information to assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety related defect.The subject vehicles are powered by Ford?s 3.5L EcoBoost en…

Recent 2013 Ford F-150 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 7, 2026GAEngine
I am submitting this complaint because my 2013 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost developed a serious and potentially life-threatening engine defect that placed me and my family in immediate danger. While traveling on a major interstate/highway, the engine warning light and wrench light illuminated, and the truck subsequently lost power and stalled while I was driving. This occurred in active highway traffic, creating an extremely dangerous situation. My family and I were almost…
NHTSA complaint #11769688 · source
Filed Oct 6, 2026TXCrashBrakes
Vehicle Information: 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 3.5L V6 EcoBoost (VIN: [XXX]) While operating the vehicle, experienced a severe and sudden degradation of brake hydraulic pressure. The brake pedal travels abnormally deep and requires the driver to "double-pump" (fully let off the brake pedal and re-press it a second time) to achieve enough line pressure to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle began violently jerking and resisting…
NHTSA complaint #11769301 · source
Filed Oct 6, 2026OHElectrical SystemLightingTransmission & Drivetrain
My truck is shifting erratically going from 5/6th gear down to 1st/2nd. It looses power. My battery light comes on, the wrench comes on, check engine light comes on but no codes come up. I have already put in a new transmission at my cost.
NHTSA complaint #11769296 · source
Filed Oct 5, 2026126,149 miOKTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission downshifted into first gear. The service vehicle soon warning light was illuminated and the vehicle was restarted and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
NHTSA complaint #11769144 · source
Filed Oct 1, 2026FLElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
Was driving on the interstate and the speedometer stopped working, the truck shifted to first gear and entered limp home mode. This is a know issue with the lead frame and even though I only have 95k miles on the truck, ford only offered a 10 year extended warranty CSP 19N01 to cover it which has expired on time. This is a known issue and could have caused an accident on the interstate. This issue should be scheduled as a recall rather than an extended warranty that can…
NHTSA complaint #11768220 · source
Filed Sep 29, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain
Sudden downshift while driving. Speedometer goes to zero while driving. Safety is high risk. Warning lights yes. No inspection yet. Happened twice in the last week
NHTSA complaint #11767876 · source
Filed Sep 17, 2026162,395 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission violently downshifted, causing the rear wheels to lose traction and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle. The lead frame failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0720-00 (OSS Circuit Malfunction), P0722-00 (OSS Circuit No Signal), and P1500-00 (VSS Intermittent Failure) were…
NHTSA complaint #11765101 · source
Filed Sep 2, 2026SCEngine
Known issues with design and life expectancy of the exhaust manifolds and bolts thousands of owners are replacing manifolds due to warping and shearing of bolts when exhaust overheats. I’m currently getting quotes to replace due to failure on a gently used truck. Failure happened during a highway trip of a couple hundred miles under no additional load.
NHTSA complaint #11761523 · source

Compare the 2013 Ford F-150 with another vehicle →

Other 2013 Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology