One of the worst F-150 years
Owners filed about 1.8 times as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 94,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,994 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-150. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (1,346, 45% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. That is the most complaints of any F-150 year from 2012 to 2024. It has 3 recalls.
24 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Ford F-150 before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
1,346 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 94,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
the recall on 2014 ford f150 VIN [XXX] had a recall in 2020 that was supposedly fixed with a software update the recall was Powertrain / Transmission (NHTSA ID: 24V444000 / Ford Campaign 24S37): Loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. While the contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and remained stuck in first or second gear. In addition, the engine revved while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and the speedometer was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure recurred…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 65,000 miles
Engine and cooling
567 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
392 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake light warning light illuminated, and while depressing brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The transmission was shifted to a lower gear, and the hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was slowly driven to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 32,145 miles
Electrical system
324 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Fuse number 75 in power distribution box in engine compartment getting hot and melting not blowing the fuse but swelling and breaking contact therefore cause all lights to flash on the dash or nothing at all. Can be fine when parked but upon the next time you go to start it is when it can happen. No warning. First time happened 8/18/25.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 96,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 189,556.Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 189,556 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
304 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2013 Ford F-150 is experiencing the dangerous failure associated with NHTSA Safety Recall 19S07. While driving, the transmission abruptly and unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear at speed. This causes sudden, violent deceleration equivalent to a severe rear-end collision, creating an extreme safety hazard and loss of vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving at 40-45mph, the vehicle abruptly slowed to 15-20 mph, with no warning whatsoever. I narrowly avoided being rear ended by a box truck by moving into the turning lane. Had I been on the highway, this would have led to a catastrophic accident. I am concerned for the safety of my family, myself, and other drivers. Please…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
216 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving the steering wheel will jerk and pull the wheel to the right then have no power steering at all. This has happened three times now with one time I ran off the road while going around a corner , luckily on a fm road with no traffic. I have to stop turn the vehicle off wait a few minutes then restart and it is fine again for…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I was driving down the road when my power steering went out in the middle of a sharp turn. As the power steering was going out the screen on the dash showed “Service power steering now” and beeped three times, giving me only about a second to read the message and react to losing power steering. The steering wheel jerked right and I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
205 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles. Parts named most: Defroster / defogger / HVAC system: rear window (17).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Was running the rear defrost and the passenger side of the rear window made a loud popping noise and shattered on the inside. Window stayed in one piece but cracked everywhere.Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
159 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The feul pump fuse holder melts and the car dies instantly.This is very dangerous if you where merging into traffic or on a major interstate traveling at speed.Also leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere at freezing temps or scorching temps and you have no cell service.This should be a immediate recall before people are injured or…Owner complaint, filed 2025
On vehicles equipped the R680 six speed transmission, the oil lines break off at the Quick Disconnect to the transmission oil cooler due to metal fatigue. When this happens, it causes 14 quarts of automatic transmission fluid to be pumped out onto the roadway from the front of the vehicle and on the tires and roadway. Several things can…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Body, doors and structure
58 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (38).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open from the inside. The contact's brother replaced the driver’s side door handle with the rear driver's side door handle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was provided an estimate for…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 181,934 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear door unexpectedly opened. The contact stopped the vehicle and attempted to close the door; however, the door failed to close and became inoperable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 258,000 miles
Wheels and tires
47 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Attempted to mount my spare tire and the metal covering on my lugnuts had expanded causing me to be unable to remove the flat tire. Done some research and discovered this to be a common occurance on my 2013 f150. Thi issue w/ford needs to be resoveld to prevent any furthure diffilculties. Needs to be a solid lugnut to replace those that…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Goodyear tires 275/65R18 used on an F150 are experiencing near tread separation on the passenger rear side and the beginning of tread rips/tears on drivers rear side in similar locations. Manufacture week and year 1819. These tires have gone through periodic rotation as well. Noticed a shimmy while driving and upon inspection saw the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Air bags
39 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The passenger air bag light indicates OFF even when I am in the seat. I am a 5’8’’ 125 lb person. This is frequently what happens when I am sitting. I have tried undoing and reattaching the seat belt but often it does nothing or reverts back to off in a short time. The picture below is right now while my husband is driving.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
20 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I had recall 19N01 and had a local repair shop complete the repair JR's Transmission in Catskill, NY. My local dealer RC Lacy would not cover the recall. I had the repair completed on 11/2024. I would like to be reimbursed for the repair. I was going in for surgery for throat cancer at the time of the warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Hello, A few weeks ago while I was heading down highway 49 in Tuolumne County, the spindle that holds the front wheel on my truck broke, sending my front left wheel down the opposite direction and my truck crashing down into the asphalt to a sudden stop. Thankfully I was able to maintain control enough of the truck to keep it from…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
14 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 113,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blue screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 66,776 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black or green screen while the vehicle was shifted in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The contact stated that the image was located…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 50,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
11 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while unfastening the seat belt, the locking mechanism detached from the seat. The nut and wires had detached. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 103,991 miles
The drivers seat has a lot of popping and moving when slowing down or accelerating. Truck only had 20,040 miles on it when I bought it. It has been a issue from the day it was purchased. Feels like the seat may just completely break at any moment.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 20,040 miles
Ford F-150 complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 full-size trucks
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford F-150 | Among the worst years | 3 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2013 Ram 1500 | About average | 12 |
| 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 | One of the better years | 6 |
2013 Ford F-150 recalls
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Fluid
- Risk
- Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Ford F-150 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F-150?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Ford F-150 are the transmission and drivetrain (1,346 complaints), the engine and cooling (567 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (392 complaints).
Is the 2013 Ford F-150 a good year to buy?
One of the worst F-150 years. Owners filed about 1.8 times as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 94,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150. The most recent, from Jun 2019, covers the transmission and drivetrain. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 94,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 56,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?
The F-150 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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