NHTSA has 2,990 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford F-150, received from 2012 to 2026. The most-reported system is power train (1,343 complaints, 45%), followed by engine (567) and service brakes (363). Owners reported 78 crashes, 35 fires, 64 injuries and 4 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 74,500 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019, with 474 received that year. 3 safety recalls cover this model year.
2,990NHTSA complaints
3safety recalls
78crashes reported
35fires reported
64injuries
4deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford F-150?
Owners report power train problems most often: 1,343 of 2,990 NHTSA complaints (45%), followed by engine (567) and service brakes (363).
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150. The most recent is 19V433000 (power train, 2019-06-10).
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 74,500 miles, across 2,217 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2013 Ford F-150?
Yes. Owners reported 78 crashes, 35 fires, 64 injuries and 4 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Power train
1,343
45%
25
4
29
94,122
Engine
567
19%
4
9
5
56,400
Service brakes
363
12%
30
2
14
60,000
Electrical system
324
11%
2
16
6
67,000
Speed control
302
10%
6
1
4
69,073
Unknown or other
226
8%
4
8
5
65,000
Steering
216
7%
7
0
4
74,500
Visibility and wipers
190
6%
0
2
1
56,000
Fuel system
159
5%
1
5
0
62,221
Structure
48
2%
6
0
5
50,000
Air bags
39
1%
13
1
10
76,750
Wheels
39
1%
1
0
0
66,000
Electronic stability control
28
1%
0
0
0
84,000
Suspension
20
1%
1
0
0
16,000
Exterior lighting
17
1%
0
0
0
38,000
Tires
11
<1%
0
0
0
12,000
Latches, locks and linkages
10
<1%
0
0
0
122,500
Backover prevention
8
<1%
0
0
0
108,000
Seat belts
7
<1%
2
0
3
70,000
Forward collision avoidance
5
<1%
1
0
1
156,000
Seats
4
<1%
0
0
0
20,040
Equipment
3
<1%
0
0
0
6,600
Traction control
2
<1%
0
0
0
55,000
Child seat
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Lane departure
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Defect: 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.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
While I'm driving and say I speed up or accelerate it feels like sometimes down shifts and then starts to go normal
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11772461, received 2026-10-20
The truck randomly hard downshifts and the gauges stop working and it wont shift back out of third gear. I can stop the truck and shut it off and when I turn it back on it still will be in third gear. If I turn it to manual sometimes I can get it to go down to second but it is a hard shift and…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11770977, received 2026-10-13
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…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11769688, received 2026-10-07
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…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11761523, received 2026-09-02
Vehicle Information: 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 3.5L V6 EcoBoost (VIN: [redacted]) 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…
Service brakes · NHTSA complaint 11769301, received 2026-10-06
Driver side brake hose failure at upper crimp on the hose caused loss of brake fluid and spongy peddle
Service brakes · NHTSA complaint 11763476, received 2026-09-10
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.