Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Turned on my rear defroster to melt ice and snow. As I was sitting in a drive-thru, just 15 minutes later, I saw smoke coming from the bottom edge of the rear window. At first I thought it was the exhaust but then realized that it was too thick. Within 30 seconds there was a pop, like a gunshot. The rear glass had shattered both inside and out. I pulled the truck over to the side and I could see smoke residue on the glass that was still being held in by the moulding. Then I noticed part of the moulding had actually melted. I went online to research and saw this was a problem with this model. Some people have actually lost their trucks to fire when using remote start. Ford should be held responsible to pay for this issue as this is a SAFETY HAZARD both due to fire risk and secondly due to the hazard of shattering glass in the back seat. …
The contact owns a A.R.E. Z series Truck Cap (n2497015) connected to a 2013 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the driver side window on the truck cap flew off. The contact mentioned two years later, the passenger side window flew off the truck cap. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the diagnosis was undetermined. The driver-side window was repaired. The manufacturer of the equipment was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the moon roof failed to close securely. The contact used a tarp to cover the moon roof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the moon roof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,861.
This morning (45 degrees F) I remote-started the truck to warm it up. As I strapped in my 5 year old into his carseat (Which does not contact the rear window at any point), We were startled by a load pop as the driver's side rear window broke. I immediately walked to the back of the truck to inspect and a small amount of smoke was raising from the bottom right side of that window where it meets the frame. I believe the rear window defroster was the cause of it. This happened 6 inches from my son's head..
I was driving down the street around 7am, it was about 54 degrees outside and the portion of my rear window behind the driver seat exploded, sounded like a gun shot. I pulled over and I could hear sizzling and saw steam/smoke coming from a seam in the window so I got back in and turned off my rear defroster and the sizzling went away. I am concerned this will happen again after I get the window fixed or worse, I am worried my truck could go up in flames with my wife or kids in it.
Sunroof / moonroof went to a 3rd party company in business for over 50 years and have had several ford f-150 vehicles with same sunroof issues that come in weekly. Ford specialist was able to give me a description of the issue and due to pricing shopped around and found out I am not the only one having this sunroof issue with screws coming off and sun roof getting Stuck all the time.
Driving to work this morning after remote starting my truck due to cold weather. 10 minutes into driving, the driver side of the 3-piece power slide rear glass shattered with no impact or any other damage. Online searching indicates it is a frequent problem and likely caused by the rear glass defroster.
Driver side rear window shattered with no impact. Vehicle had been remote started with rear defroster on. Approximately 30 seconds after driving, I heard a loud pop and stopped vehicle. After inspecting, the driver side rear glass of the vehicle had "spider webbed" and shattered.
Rear view mirror camera system. The camera continuously will turn on then go to a blue screen while in reverse. It may show the rear of the truck at times but again turns back to a blue screen while reversing. It is a safety concern while reversing the vehicle.
sitting in truck that was off and heard a loud crack. looked around and the rear drivers side window was shattered. nothing hit it and defrost was not on. just shattered for no reason. 30 degree F out
Window & Wiper complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2013 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 177 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2013 Ford F-150, 6% of the model year's 2,990 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2013 Ford F-150, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.