MYRModel Year Report

2013 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-150 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1992 1993: 588 complaints 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2758 complaints 1997 1998: 1381 complaints 1999: 1044 complaints 2000: 1075 complaints 2001: 1236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2028 complaints 2005: 1112 complaints 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 368 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 842 complaints 2011: 2185 complaints 2012: 1776 complaints 2012 2013: 2978 complaints 2013 2014: 1520 complaints 2015: 1685 complaints 2016: 2026 complaints 2017: 1416 complaints 2017 2018: 2276 complaints 2019: 1312 complaints 2020: 717 complaints 2021: 991 complaints 2022: 581 complaints 2022 2023: 400 complaints 2024: 185 complaints 2025: 102 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
2013: 2978 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991306
1992479
1993588
1994700
1995626
1996324
19972758
19981381
19991044
20001075
20011236
2002821
2003423
20042028
20051112
2006585
2007488
2008368
2009324
2010842
20112185
20121776
20132978
20141520
20151685
20162026
20171416
20182276
20191312
2020717
2021991
2022581
2023400
2024185
2025102
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 45%

45% of complaints: power train — 1348 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up and slide, jerking the contact back and forth.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260720

Transmission failure, leaded frame model. Truck down shift from 6th to 1st gear and or locks up in 3rd or 5th gear won’t shift up or down. Going 75mph to 1st gear through the truck into a drift and spin.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240629

My teenage son bought a used 2013 Ford F-150 with 111,000 miles on it about a year and a half ago.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260721

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 546 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

PULLING A TRAILER TO FIELD WHEN SMOKE APPEARED AND ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130708

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130621

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 369 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving in a parking lot, she depressed the brake pedal and it became stiff. The vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle collided with a parked car.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240423

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT CAME ON, GOT OFF AT CLOSEST EXIT, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171128

Sudden and catastrophic master cylinder failure. Complete loss of brakes at speed

NHTSA ODI report, 20260719

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 323 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE. A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING, ELECTRICAL WIRING ORDER STARTED COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS, I SOON NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171214

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 301 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and throttle.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE RUBBER CAR MAT SLID UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171206

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2013 — complaint volume: 2978
I 20130522 — PE (closed 20140407)

Reduced power during hard acceleration

I 20160229 — PE (closed 20160726)

Master Cylinder External Leak

R 20161028 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

Campaign 16V345000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171225 — RQ (closed 20191022)

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

R 20190304 — power train

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.

Campaign 19V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190624 — power train

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.

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.

Campaign 19V433000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (1348 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (546 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (369 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V345000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V075000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V433000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ■ 2018 ■ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Ford F-150 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ford F-150 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F-150?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.