2013 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2012 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Transmission failure at 110,000 miles, known issue that was covered under ford technical service bulletin tsb 13-4-23, for my other ford e150 2012 econoline van VIN# [xxx], the same transmission failure on both vehicles one was covered the 2013 is not, but same failure mode. I would like ford to replace the known faulty transmission. Would not honor the tsb because it did not extend to the 2013 vehicle, information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2019
“Recall #19s07. When I called stoneham ford on march 19 I was told that the next available appointment is may 14, totally unacceptable.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2019
“Transmission slipping. Ford dealer says we need new transmission. Occurs when car is moving....seems ti be third gear.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I purchased my 2013 ford f-150 v6 3.5l from jons friendly used cars back in april of 2017. The truck has been doing fine until recently (last 2 days). As I was on my way to work, the truck was delaying w/shifting, the speedometer dropped to zero and which put the truck into failsafe. After looking into this and identifying the code (p0270), it confirmed the symptoms I was experiencing. I guess I'm wondering is this going to be something that need to replace (out of pocket) or is ford or the dealership needing to get this replaced if it's been identified/posted on the tsb. How can I see if my car is covered or not?”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2018
“I was driving 65 on the highway and my truck downshift to 3rd gear then back to 5th gear then first gear. Locking my wheels. Tires screeching. I had to pull over and turn my truck off, open the door to try to reset the vehicle. Ive read threads of people having a similar problem and turning off the truck, opening the door resets the vehicle.. Po722-00 code output shaft speed sensor circuit no single - pending dtc”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“My vehicle will be traveling at highway speed and suddenly shift to first gear locking the rear wheels. Also gets stuck in 5th gear and will not move.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2018
“While driving on highway at 55 mph car looses power, goes into limp home mode, orange wrench warning indicator appears on dash panel. Very dangerous in high traffic areas where there is room or time to pull to side of road. Pull off road, turned off engine, and then restarted and ran fine. Seems to happen unexpectedly every 3 to 4 months. No engine malfunction codes can be found on onboard diagnostic system.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“Vehicle was leaking antifreeze and taken to good year. The part was not made and is not being made by any factory or by ford. Ford is aware of the problem. The service manager in rock hill,sc said there was 20 others waiting and they needed paperwork for proof and a hundred deposit for a part that isn't even made. Good year made a temporary fix. If the fix breaks the antifreeze will leak out causing the motor to seize up.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2018
“In the last two I been having a wrench coming up on the screen and truck loses power and the speed drops down to 5 miles an hour. While the truck is running in idle, it is vibrating. When I stop it and restart it goes away. It happen three times in the last two weeks. After the second time the dealer reprogramed the computer last friday. Thursday five days later it came back when I was doing 50 miles an hour. I called the dealer and he said he will change the throttle sensor out tomorrow .the times it happen I was on country road with no traffic, if I would have on the interstate no telling what would have happen with cars behind me doing 70 miles an hour.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2017
“Driving on a city street the truck started shaking and loss all acceleration, it showed a wrench on the dash screen, coasted to a safe place and turned truck off. It restarted fine. Approx 30 mins later on the highway it did the same thing, started shaking, no acceleration and the wrench showed up. Again coasted to a safe spot and restarted.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2014. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-800-527-7477. National Van's number for this recall is Ricon2014.
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
WMK Inc., doing business as Mobility Works, Inc. (Mobility), is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Mobility-modified Ford E-150, and E-250 transit buses manufactured December 1, 2013, through January 4, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon S series and K series wheelchair lifts, with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.
Remedy: Mobility will notify owners, and Ricon will send the owner a supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884 or by e-mail at recall.admin@wabtec.com.
Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
Remedy: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1-855-526-3400.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2013 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.