2013 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-08-02

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: 304 complaints 1992: 470 complaints 1992 1993: 586 complaints 1994: 676 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2758 complaints 1997 1998: 1381 complaints 1999: 1044 complaints 2000: 1074 complaints 2001: 1236 complaints 2002: 820 complaints 2002 2003: 421 complaints 2004: 2027 complaints 2005: 1112 complaints 2006: 584 complaints 2007: 487 complaints 2007 2008: 368 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 840 complaints 2011: 2179 complaints 2012: 1771 complaints 2012 2013: 2956 complaints 2013 2014: 1497 complaints 2015: 1638 complaints 2016: 1976 complaints 2017: 1379 complaints 2017 2018: 2218 complaints 2019: 1270 complaints 2020: 677 complaints 2021: 934 complaints 2022: 554 complaints 2022 2023: 382 complaints 2024: 178 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2013: 2956 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991304
1992470
1993586
1994676
1995626
1996324
19972758
19981381
19991044
20001074
20011236
2002820
2003421
20042027
20051112
2006584
2007487
2008368
2009324
2010840
20112179
20121771
20132956
20141497
20151638
20161976
20171379
20182218
20191270
2020677
2021934
2022554
2023382
2024178
202597
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 44%

44% of complaints: power train — 1295 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 545 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 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 314 distinct reports on file.

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 294 distinct reports on file.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 294 distinct reports on file.

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

SAFETY TIMELINE

2013 — complaint volume: 2956
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 (1295 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (545 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (314 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.

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 44% of complaints on file.

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

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.