Most common 2013 Ford F-150 problems
Share of the 2,990 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-150 complaints by model year
Best F-150 years: 1996, 2009, 2008. Years to avoid: 2018, 2013, 2016, 2012, 2021. Compare all years →
2013 Ford F-150 recalls (3)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2013 Ford F-150:
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.
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…
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…
What 2013 Ford F-150 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 1,343 →
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted from 6th gear into a lower gear, and the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. As a result of the failure, the vehicle crashed into bushes. The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident. The contact sustained a left foot injury; however, no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed, and the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact further stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on another occasion, the vehicle unexpectedly entered limp mode and remained in 3rd gear. The contact also reported that the vehicle felt sluggish when attempting to accelerate from a stop, with the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65-67 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted from 6th to 1st gear and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bag warning light, the power train and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, The speedometer and the odometer ceased to work. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that he was a certified mechanic and had diagnosed that the lead frame assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he had received a notice of Ford Campaign Number: 19N01. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not have the parts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. …
Engine & cooling all 567 →
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the passenger noticed smoke underneath the hood. The driver pulled over, opened the hood, and noticed smoke and fire between the fire wall and engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact and other motorists extinguished the fire. The fire department was on the scene. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger sustained burns, but no medical attention was provided. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to his family residence. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was failing to start as needed with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump fuse needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for repair. The vehicle had not yet been taken to a local dealer for repair. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was rear-ended. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Brakes all 363 →
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front brakes. The contact stated that the braking system independently engaged and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had not stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a parts store and upon parking he observed that smoke was being emitted from the passenger side front wheel well. The contact stated that he observed that a flame was visible from the passenger wheel well and that store employees had extinguished the flames with hand-held fire extinguishers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front brake line on the passenger side, both brake drums, calipers, pads, and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owned a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the son was driving approximately 93 MPH, and while approaching a stop light, the vehicle continued to drive into an intersection and crashed into a commercial Semi truck. During the crash, the three front-seat occupants sustained fatal injuries. The rear driver-side passenger sustained head trauma and was rushed to the hospital. A police report was filed and indicated a possible brake malfunction had occurred before the crash. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. The exact cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was later informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V345000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). …
2013 Ford F-150 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Ford F-150 a good car?
Based on 2,990 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 F-150 rates avoid: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-150 at the same age. It is one of the F-150 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford F-150?
The transmission & drivetrain — 1,343 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (567) and brakes (363).
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150, the most recent from June 10, 2019 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-150?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2009 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2013, 2016, 2012 and 2021. See the full Ford F-150 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.