2013 Ford F-550 Problems & Complaints

Better than average58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-550 at the same age

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2013 Ford F-550 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 58% fewer than a typical F-550 model year at the same age, making the 2013 one of the better F-550 years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints). One recall covers this model year.

6complaints
1recalls
0crashes
1fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2013 Ford F-550 problems

  • Engine & cooling
    233%
  • Steering~1,000 miles
    117%
  • Wheels & tires~8,000 miles
    117%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~33,000 miles
    117%
  • Other / not specified
    117%

Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford F-550 complaints by model year

201120122013201620172018201920201213691381417
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-550. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best F-550 years: 2013, 2016. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →

2013 Ford F-550 recalls (1)

Equipment

NHTSA recall 14V-498 · Aug 13, 2014 · 3 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Ford F-550:

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

NHTSA investigation RQ14005 · opened Jan 13, 2015 · closed Mar 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V-175

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford F-550 a good car?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 F-550 rates better than average: 58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-550 at the same age. It is one of the best F-550 years by this measure. 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-550?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (1) and wheels & tires (1).

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-550 have?

There is 1 recall for the 2013 Ford F-550, the most recent from August 13, 2014 (equipment). 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-550?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019 and 2017. See the full Ford F-550 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-550 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 8,000 miles; 100% 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.