2013 Ford F-150: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 2,983 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (40% of complaints); the 2012 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 14 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 2,983 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving on the interstate and the speedometer stopped working, the truck shifted to first gear and entered limp home mode. This is a know issue with the lead frame and even though I only have 95k miles on the truck, ford only offered a 10 year extended warranty CSP 19N01 to cover it which has expired on time. This is a known issue and could have caused an accident on the interstate. This issue should be scheduled as a recall rather than an extended warranty that can expire. So because we do not drive the truck that often we are now being forced to pay for a known issue that Ford is aware of.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2026
“Sudden downshift while driving. Speedometer goes to zero while driving. Safety is high risk. Warning lights yes. No inspection yet. Happened twice in the last week”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 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 additional load.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have experienced several downshifts at high speed to low gear while driving. This defect can cause sudden downshifts at highway speeds, creating a serious risk of loss of control, skidding, or collision. The vehicle experiences sudden downshifts, wrenchâ'light warnings, and loss of power, which matches the defect described in recall 19S07. I contacted both a local dealer and the regional Ford representatives, Ford marked the recall as completed, but the repair was either not performed or performed without resolution and the defect symptoms continue.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026
“Right front brake continuously freezes up making impossible to drive safely. ABS does not show any default or warnings. Truck shakes all over. Had rotors, calibers, and brake pads replied, but right side brake continues to freeze up. Brake lines checked and show no signs of collapse.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2026
“I was driving on interstate approximatly 70 mph when it downshifted into second gear and and almost got rearended by a semi truck that was following behind my truck and luckily was able to swerve to miss hitting us. I Believe it is the 6r80 transmission conductor plate that is the cause of the issue”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Brakes seem to be staying engaged when driving this has been for about 1 yr. Now all of a sudden, my truck wouldn't stop. Thankfully, I was pulling in to my own driveway, but now I'm not sure what to do about the situation. I jave seen a lot of complaints on 2013 F150 with ecoboost 3.5l and I don't think it's right that only certain vins are recalled when obviously A LOT of others should be included.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2026
“The automatic transmission suddenly downshifts to first gear at high speeds and causes high RPM to the engine and loss of control. I noticed the ford recall 19S07 but the dealer said it did not apply to my vehicle.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
“"Ford Recall 19S07 was previously completed on my vehicle via a software patch, but the physical output speed sensor has now completely failed, throwing code P0720. The corporate software remedy failed to protect the mechanical hardware "”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
“The brakes on my Ford f150 failed and I took it to a shop and found out that the master cylinder had failed and all the brake fluid was being pumped into the brake booster.I had the master cylinder and the booster replaced for $ 926.00 dollars. There was a recall for this problem but it ended with trucks that were made thru August 31,2013 my truck was made September 12 ,2013 only 12 days after the recall ended. My truck experienced the same failure as the trucks that were recalled”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2026
When filing, owners marked a crash in 77 of these complaints and injuries in 64 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S24.
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.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 19S19.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all F-150 years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact F-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 F-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 2,983 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Ford F-150. The most complained-about area is power train (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,950 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Ford F-150 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. 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.