FORD F-150 · model year

2013 FORD F-150

3836 NHTSA complaints, 102 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013FORDF-150 carries 3836 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 102 crashes, 45 fires, 86 injuries, and 6 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 F-150 is power train with 1244 filings, followed by engine (541) and service brakes (313). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2013 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

3836
Complaints
102
Crashes
45
Fires
86
Injuries
6
Deaths

Total Complaints

3836 filings

Crashes Reported

102 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN1244
ENGINE541
SERVICE BRAKES313
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM290
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL281
UNKNOWN OR OTHER219
STEERING209
VISIBILITY/WIPER145
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM129
STRUCTURE:BODY38
AIR BAGS38
WHEELS37
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC31
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)28
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION24

Recalls (3)

16V34500024/05/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

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.

19V07500011/02/2019

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

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.

19V43300010/06/2019

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 th

Recent Complaints

20260217POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The contact stated that recently, while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the failure returned soon after restarting the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.

Mileage: 199,000

20260217POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while driving at 15 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had previously experienced a similar failure, and the transmission control module had been reprogrammed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,318.

Mileage: 130,318

20260212SERVICE BRAKES

while applying the brake i had complete brake failure. I learned the brake booter and master cylinder were leaking as describe in the recall.

20260212FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

while applying the brake i had complete brake failure. I learned the brake booter and master cylinder were leaking as describe in the recall.

20260212POWER TRAIN

The above vechile was taken to a Ford dealership when the trouble started with the transmission. Understanding the problem was and still related to the transmission, with the recall for reason for the recall. They took it in and "fixed" said problem. Now some 3 yrs later I still have the problems. They said they reprogrammed the computer on the transmission which they said was the problem. Which the recall stated that the Lead Frame was to be replaced. The truck does the following shifts rough from 3 to 4 gear, then will shift from 3 to 5th, back to 2nd, then to 5th gear then to 6th gear and then will at times go to 1st locking up the rear wheels in traffic. I cannot enough think about putting my granddaughter in the truck, with this happening. They (dealership) will not even look at the truck unless I pay $230.00. I need help. I tell them what it is doing and have a read out report from another shop and have video of the truck stuck in 3rd gear. I can only use the truck to drive 3 mi

20260211POWER TRAIN

I will have random downshifts while driving my car. Sometimes on the highway at high speeds driving 65-70mph the Ford F150 trucks down shifts to a very low speed. Will also do it at 45 mph and downshift to a very low speed. Has almost caused accidents putting the safety of everyone in the truck and everyone behind the truck at risk of injury or death. From what I know, there are no warning lights On my truck I have already taken it for the recall on the 19S07 transmission sudden down shift(recall 6173).

20260210POWER TRAIN

Same transmission issues as 2015-2017 FORD F150 under investigation right now. Has the 6r80 transmission and the same affected sensor. My truck will downshift then not shift correctly again til shut off for a while.

20260209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driving at normal rate of speed around a right hand turn. Truck spontaneously downshifted in the turn causing tires to spin. Back end of truck slid sideways as the road was wet at the time. Luckily there was a gap between oncoming traffic or there would have been an accident. After regaining control of the vehicle, a wrench icon appears on the dashboard, then the airbag icon lights up. My speedometer/ odometer/ fuel economy gauges are not working. I pulled off the road for safety. Change plans to turn around and go back home versus continue on my 45 minute drive to my appointment. This happened only 3 miles from my home. My truck had little power on acceleration when going back home. After hours of searching online it appears it could be the Molded Leadframe. It also appears there WAS a consumer program from Ford to fix this issue, however, I was told by Ford that they do not notify customers that are affected by this and that the program has expired. This is definitely a safety iss

20260205SERVICE BRAKES

Vacuumed pump replacement oil leakVacume Brake fluid leaked into power booster Complete brake failure . Complete Brake failure while pulling 6000 lb trailer Family in vehicle . Coolant leaks, water pump,heater hoses, exaust turbos ,and blow off valve.

20260205ENGINE

Vacuumed pump replacement oil leakVacume Brake fluid leaked into power booster Complete brake failure . Complete Brake failure while pulling 6000 lb trailer Family in vehicle . Coolant leaks, water pump,heater hoses, exaust turbos ,and blow off valve.

20260205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vacuumed pump replacement oil leakVacume Brake fluid leaked into power booster Complete brake failure . Complete Brake failure while pulling 6000 lb trailer Family in vehicle . Coolant leaks, water pump,heater hoses, exaust turbos ,and blow off valve.

20260204POWER TRAIN

The vehicle continuously goes into limp mode caused by a bad sensor in the transmission, this is a known issue and ford has not taken adequate responsibility causing an unnecessary financial burden to vehicle owners including myself. This likely affects millions of vehicles with this powertrain and they need to be held accountable.

20260202UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving at a 40+ mph speed the truck suddenly downshift to 1st gear and all gauges stop working. 3rd will downshift to 1st and 5th to 3rd.

20260202POWER TRAIN

While driving at a 40+ mph speed the truck suddenly downshift to 1st gear and all gauges stop working. 3rd will downshift to 1st and 5th to 3rd.

20260130POWER TRAIN

While driving my 2013 F150 Eco boost is started shifting erratically. While at 60 MPH the truck would down shift on it's own to 1st gear and my truck would skid. Luckily I did not crash but it's dangerous and it's my only transportation. I took it to Ford and they said I needed a $8K transmission replacement. I ended up taking to a transmission shop for a rebuild but shortly after if did it again. The transmission shop replaced the valve but said Ford needed to reflash the TCM. When I asked for them to follow recall 19S07 they said I would need to bring it in and pay them another $400 for a diagnostic and they couldn't just reflash it. Now I'm in a position where I have to drive what feels like a timebomb and I have no way out of it.

20260130VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While driving my 2013 F150 Eco boost is started shifting erratically. While at 60 MPH the truck would down shift on it's own to 1st gear and my truck would skid. Luckily I did not crash but it's dangerous and it's my only transportation. I took it to Ford and they said I needed a $8K transmission replacement. I ended up taking to a transmission shop for a rebuild but shortly after if did it again. The transmission shop replaced the valve but said Ford needed to reflash the TCM. When I asked for them to follow recall 19S07 they said I would need to bring it in and pay them another $400 for a diagnostic and they couldn't just reflash it. Now I'm in a position where I have to drive what feels like a timebomb and I have no way out of it.

20260128ENGINE

While driving the truck it suddenly shifts down gears, and shoots up rpms, causing the truck to slow down drastically and causing a loss of control in the truck. Potentially causing a severe accident. This issue could seriously cause harm to myself and to others especially going at highway speeds. When turned off the truck won’t start up again without clearing codes.

20260128POWER TRAIN

While driving the truck it suddenly shifts down gears, and shoots up rpms, causing the truck to slow down drastically and causing a loss of control in the truck. Potentially causing a severe accident. This issue could seriously cause harm to myself and to others especially going at highway speeds. When turned off the truck won’t start up again without clearing codes.

20260128VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While driving the truck it suddenly shifts down gears, and shoots up rpms, causing the truck to slow down drastically and causing a loss of control in the truck. Potentially causing a severe accident. This issue could seriously cause harm to myself and to others especially going at highway speeds. When turned off the truck won’t start up again without clearing codes.

20260127ENGINE

Faulty molded transmission leadframe. There was a customer satisfaction program for this, that expired 3 years ago. My vehicle is now experiencing the issues with this faulty part consistently. It won't drive past 2nd gear and drops to 1st and stays there. The dealer won't repair it for the faulty part.

Compare 2013FORDF-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 FORD F-150 have?
The 2013 FORD F-150 has 3836 NHTSA complaints, 102 crashes, 45 fires, 86 injuries, and 6 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 FORD F-150?
Yes, the 2013 FORD F-150 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 FORD F-150?
The most-complained component for the 2013 FORD F-150 is POWER TRAIN with 1244 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2013 FORD F-150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.