KnownCarProblems2013 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 2,989 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-150, most often about the transmission (45% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is the most complained-about F-150 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 Ford F-150 problems
Transmission
1,342 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), manual transmission.
I was driving down freeway and went to exit and heard a sound with a warning light with advancetrac service and power steering default. I was unable to move my steering more than just a few inches left or right and stopped immediately. I had to get it towed to the dealership do to the steering was unable to function…
Vehicle experiences sudden & rapid power loss, deceleration and vehicle shuttering at highway speeds. Occurs quickly and without any warning, presenting major safety issue as it has almost caused several vehicle crashes. At highway speeds this can result in severe vehicle damage and potential injuries. Dealer…
Engine
567 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
I just read a story and the one on fox news. This exact ecoboost problem happened to me about 1 month ago in my 2013 F-150 king ranch (28k miles). I was driving north on i81 in pa and suddenly my truck went like a bucking bronco, losing power as I went along until I was down to about 30mph on a highway. This lasted…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate…
Brakes
363 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc.
Backed up to boat trailer. Attached trailer to F-150 platinum. Brake pedal went to the floor. Checked brake fluid level and there was no fluid. Added (3) 6 oz. Bottles. No external leaks found anywhere. Bled brake lines to get vehicle home. Dealer found that the master cylinder seal blew and all the brake fluid went…
Travelling at 60 MPH on interstate 5 south bound at 0445 hrs I observed brake lights approximately 1/4 mile ahead. As I applied brakes the pedal was spongy and brake fluid warning light came on. While in heavy traffic the brakes failed. I was able to exit freeway by down shifting and using emergency brake.I got to a…
Electrical
324 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
While driving my 2013 Ford platinum F-150 at approximately 35 MPH going straight on a town road heading to the highway, the wrench service light came and and instantly putting the truck into "limp" mode only allowing me to drive 5 MPH. I am lucky not to be in highway traffic. I did have my family with me heading on a…
Rear window shattered while rear defrost was on, in 35 degree temperature. Car was parked and stationary, in covered parking unit, driven 10-miles from home to work. Loud bang heard, and immediately saw the shattered glass in the driver side rear-view window. This has clearly happened many times prior, and this has…
Speed control
302 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, throttle.
While driving in rainy conditions at 55 MPH, the driver accelerated which kicked into passing gear. At this time the steering wheel began to shake violently, the vehicle lost all power (though remained on) and decelerated to about 45 MPH on it's own. The check engine light began blinking and remained lit for appx 1…
I was driving at 48-50- MPH when I decided to pass a cement truck that was going below the speed limit. As I pulled out to pass the truck everything seemed fine. When I got alongside the cement truck my truck started to hesitate and misfire. The engine light started flashing. I was stuck from going back as another car…
Other or unspecified
225 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
Shortly after turning on the rear window defroster the rear window shattered, nothing hit it. It's like the defroster shorted and got too hot and blew the glass out.
Made a turn at an intersection with my kids and my f150 ecoboost lost power. I thought we were gonna get hit. I have had my 2013 f150 into the local Ford dealership 3 times for this issue. They tell me to drive it they are waiting for a new computer program from Ford. Engine lite has been on for a month or more.…
Steering
216 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, linkages.
Received dash messages stating "service advance trac" and "hill descent control fault" resulting in inop full detent turn signals, yet 3-blink lane change retained function. Steering angle dash readout remained inop regardless of steering input. Returned vehicle to a Ford dealer for diagnosis. Was advised entire…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…
Visibility and wipers
190 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly, rearview mirrors/devices.
"window shattered" driving straight ahead on roadway for approximately 10mins when suddenly the rear window shattered. The rear window on my f150 is a 3 piece window with the center piece being a slider. The left rear window shattered. Temperature was upper 20's and rear defroster was on. There was no intentional act…
Back window shattered, power sliding back window (drivers side, 3 part back window). Used rear defrost for a few minutes and it blew up at a stoplight, sounded like a gunshot.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Ford F-150 recalls
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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. 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.
Full defect 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: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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. 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.
Full defect 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. 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unexpected transmission downshift
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (my) 2011-2013 ford f-150, expedition and navigator vehicles. Odi has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16v-248).expedition and navigator complaint rates are lower than f-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road b
Master cylinder external leak
Summary
On may 23, 2016, ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a master cylinder defect that could result in loss of the front brake circuit in approximately 225,012 model year 2013 through 2014 ford f-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter gtdi engines and built at the dearborn truck plant from august 1, 2013 through august 22, 2014; and the kansas city assembly plant from august 1, 2013 through august 31, 2014 (NHTSA recall #16v-345, ford recall #16s24).ford indicated that the rearmost cup seal in the brake master cylinder may roll, resulting in leakage from the brake fluid reservoir to the brake booster.according to ford's dir, depending on the amo
Reduced power during hard acceleration
Summary
On may 22, 2013, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe13-018 to investigate 95 complaints alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in model year (my) 2011 through 2013 ford f-150 trucks.odi was aware of three technical service bulletins (tsbs) issued by ford for a condition that was related to moisture accumulation in the charge air cooler (cac) for the turbochargers.a preliminary evaluation was opened to gather information to assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety related defect.the subject vehicles are powered by ford?s 3.5l ecoboost engine which uses twin turbochargers to obtain a balance of fuel economy and engine power based on the
Questions about the 2013 Ford F-150
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F-150?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (1,342 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); engine (567 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); brakes (363 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 10, 2019 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Ford F-150?
- It is the most complained-about F-150 model year since 2000, with 2,989 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.