2013 Ford F-150 problems

General information about Ford-F-150
Overview of popular issues
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1948 model year. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks positioned above the midsize Ranger but below the larger Super Duty in the Ford truck lineup. Alongside the F-150 (introduced in 1975), the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series (introduced in 1999), which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.

History

The F-Series was first introduced in 1948 as a replacement for a previous pickup model line based on car platforms.

The most popular version of the model line is the F-150 pickup truck, currently in its fourteenth generation (introduced for the 2021 model year). From 1953 to 1983, the entry-level F-Series pickup was the 1⁄2 ton F-100. Starting in 1984, the F-150 became the entry-level. The F-150 has a long-running high-performance off-road trim level introduced for 2010, the (SVT) Raptor currently consisting of three generations. Production of the F-150 SVT Raptor ended in 2014 and it was planned to be succeeded by a new F-150 Raptor, which is based on the thirteenth and fourteenth generation F-150.

The F-Series trucks have been developed into a wide range of design configurations. Alongside medium-duty trucks and "Big Job" conventional trucks (the forerunners of the Ford L-series), the model line has been marketed as a chassis-cab truck and a panel van (a predecessor of the Ford E-Series). The F-Series has served as the platform for various full-sized Ford SUVs, including the Ford Bronco, Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Excursion. The F-Series has been marketed by its three North American brands: by Mercury as the M-Series (in Canada from 1948 to 1968), and by Lincoln in the 2000s, as the Blackwood and the later Mark LT (2010s for the latter in Mexico only).

Since 1977, the F-Series has remained the best-selling pickup truck line in the United States; it has been the best-selling vehicle overall since 1981. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in Canada for over fifty years. As of the 2018 model year, the F-Series generated $41 billion (~$49 billion in 2023) in annual revenue for Ford. By January 2022, the F-Series models have sold over 40 million units. Currently, Ford manufactures the F-Series in four facilities in the United States.

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Common 2013 Ford F-150 problems

Based on the information gathered from various sources, here are the common problems with the Ford F-150 2013 model based on complaints from owners:

Brake Failure: Another common issue with the 2013 Ford F-150 is brake failure. Brake problems can compromise the vehicle's ability to stop efficiently, posing a significant risk to the driver, passengers, and other road users.

Bad Wiring: Owners of the 2013 Ford F-150 have also reported problems related to bad wiring. Electrical issues can lead to various malfunctions within the vehicle, affecting critical systems like lighting, engine performance, and overall safety.

Frozen Door Handle Latch: A recurring problem with the F-Series trucks, including the 2013 model, is the issue of frozen door handle latches. This can cause inconvenience and potential safety hazards, especially in cold weather conditions.

Coolant Leak Problems: The 2013 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine is known to have common coolant leaking problems. Coolant leaks can lead to engine overheating, reduced performance, and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.

Calibration Issues: Calibration problems have been associated with the First Generation 3.5L EcoBoost Engines in the 2013 Ford F-150. These issues can affect various aspects of the vehicle's performance, including ignition, shifting, and vacuum systems.

MyFord Touch Feature: The Ford F-Series, including the 2013 F-150, has faced complaints regarding the MyFord Touch feature. Users have reported unreliability and glitches in this system, impacting vital vehicle commands like defrosters and rear-view cameras.

These common problems with the Ford F-150 2013 model highlight a range of issues that owners have faced, affecting different aspects of the vehicle's performance, safety, and convenience. Addressing these problems promptly through proper maintenance and repairs is crucial to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

Are there any issues with a 2013 Ford F-150?

Many owners of this model and year complained of shifting difficulties, erratic performance, and transmission failure. With constant dealership visits, some gave up on the vehicle. This was because the 2013 F150 transmission problems were too much of a recurring issue for them to deal with.

Was 2013 a bad year for F-150?

Yes, the 2013 Ford F-150 is a good truck based on information from 666 verified owner reviews, and 18 government and automotive websites. Positives of the truck include reliable engine choices, and a higher towing capacity than any other half-ton truck.

Is there a recall on 2013 Ford F-150 transmission?

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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.

How many miles will a 2013 F-150 last?

A Ford F-150 is expected to last around 200,000 miles when properly cared for. Since the average driver clocks in about 12,000 miles per year, this comes out to roughly 17 years.

Are there any issues with a 2013 Ford F-150?

Was 2013 a bad year for F150?

What years did the F-150 have engine problems?

What year F-150 has engine problems? If you want a F-150, but also want to avoid engine problems, then steer away from getting model years 2004-2008, 2010, and 2015-2017.

How many miles will a 2013 F-150 last?

A Ford F-150 is expected to last around 200,000 miles when properly cared for. Since the average driver clocks in about 12,000 miles per year, this comes out to roughly 17 years.

2013 Ford F-150 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Ford F-150.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2013 Ford F-150 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2013 Ford F-150.

2019-06-10

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Consequence: 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.

2019-02-11

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
Consequence: 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.

2016-05-24

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
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.
Consequence: 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.

Negative 2013 Ford F-150 car reviews

Sage Gulgowski 2025-09-12

Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my new truck that I purchased in October 2013. At 4400 miles, I noticed some rust issues and took it to the Ford Dealership. Unfortunately, the inside of the chrome bumpers are showing corrosion, the air intake in the front bumper for the ecoboost models has an angled plate that is rusting and the factory painted (black) areas underneath are already showing rust. The running board is also starting to corrode where the driver mirrors drips down onto it due to the design. In heavy rain, the turbo misfires and the service engine light blinks and all power was lost. I hope this information helps you out!
Lafayette Terry 2025-07-13

I've had some issues with my F150 trucks, unfortunately. My first one had some engine problems, and Ford had to buy it back. The second one has also had some hesitations, despite numerous updates and part changes. I've also had some trouble with Sync, the A/C, and a driveline vibration. On top of that, the fuel economy hasn't been as good as advertised. Recently, I got the results of an oil analysis, and it seems that many other Ecoboost owners are experiencing high fuel dilution in their oil, which is a concern. I hope these engines will last beyond 100,000 miles, but I'm not sure.
Rolando Rippin 2025-05-15

Have you ever wondered why Ford only offers a 65k power train warranty? Let me tell you. At around 70k miles, engine problems start to arise. Recently, my truck started running rough out of nowhere, so I took it to Surprise Ford. They told me I needed new spark plugs and a new coil, which would cost over $800. I thought this was too expensive and got other estimates, all of which were half the cost of Surprise Ford. When I told them this, they agreed to price match. The service advisor at Ford informed me that these eco boost engines have tricky plugs, and even seasoned mechanics drop about one out of three plugs into the cylinder heads. Since I didn't want to risk this happening, I let Surprise Ford do the job. However, after getting my truck back, I noticed that my fuel mileage was getting worse. I only put about 250 miles on it in the past 6 weeks, so it took me a while to figure out what was happening. I was planning on calling the dealership to find out why this was happening and to address the new pull to the right on the steering. Since it's monsoon season in Arizona, I decided to wash my truck before taking it to the dealership on Monday. While driving home from the car wash, I heard a loud pop and saw smoke coming from my engine compartment. A man in the car next to me yelled that my truck was on fire. I pulled over and got my 8-year-old son out of the truck and to safety. The fire went out and only caused some damage to the undercarriage. I had it towed to Surprise Ford on Saturday night.Hi there! I wanted to share my recent experience with you. Unfortunately, I received a call from the dealership on Wednesday informing me that my car needs a new engine due to a hole in the block. They couldn't determine if it was due to a thrown rod or an exploded cylinder, but they did mention that it wasn't anything they did. The cost for a new engine is around $11,000, which was quite a shock. I'm feeling quite frustrated and disappointed, and I don't think I'll be purchasing a Ford again. Thanks for listening!
Gavin Rogahn 2025-02-22

The timing chain needs to be replaced after 75,000 miles. Despite the lack of assistance from Ford, we will take care of the bill. We will consider other options besides Ford for our future automotive needs.
Jaime Rau 2024-11-19

Overall, the truck is very nice. It's clear that Ford Engineering put a lot of effort into making the 2013 F150 a better truck. While some areas were improved, there were also some areas that were over-engineered and missed the mark.

Positive 2013 Ford F-150 car reviews

Buck Boyer 2025-10-24

I read through all the reviews, some of which were good and some not so much. I purchased my 2013 F-150 XLT Crew Cab Eco Boost 4x4 in October 2013 and it has been an amazing truck. The power is incredible and the reliability is second to none. With just shy of 25k miles on it and dealer maintenance, it has been running smoothly. The only drawbacks, in my opinion, are the driver seat, which I wish was more comfortable, and the steering wheel, which could benefit from telescoping. Other than that, it is truly amazing. I learned an early lesson about giving it too much gas below 25 mph, as the tires burn out. The fuel economy is around 17mpg in pure city driving and 20/21mpg on long interstate trips. It has way more interior room, especially backseat leg room, than my wife's car.
Abe Larson 2025-10-13

I recently upgraded from a Yaris to a used Lariat as I needed more space and comfort. Although I initially wanted a new 2015 with an aluminum body, the cost was too high, so I opted for a used Lariat instead. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase, despite the fact that it doesn't come with navigation and the brakes make a humming noise when braking in a turn. However, I haven't had the time to bring it in for a look as it is still under warranty. I would have preferred a Tundra, but they don't make many 4.6L engines anymore, and I didn't want a 5.7. I plan on keeping this truck for the next 10+ years. Update: 11/16 - I have owned this truck for almost 2 years now, and it has been great. The only maintenance issue I had was with the coolant well cap, which somehow came off and caused all the radiator coolant to leak out. I also had a problem with the windshield defrost, but it was easily fixed by replacing the cap and adding more antifreeze. I recently replaced the front brakes and rotors, which solved the issue of vibrations through the brake pedal. I still need to replace the rear brakes and rotors soon. The OEM tires are wearing very well, but they are expensive to replace. I have considered downsizing to 16-inch tires, but it would be a significant investment. The one positive would be that it would be easier to get in the truck.The Ford F-150 is a great truck, but it would have been even better if there was a handrail on the driver's side to help with getting in. Last year, I used it to tow a trailer I rented and while the 5.0 engine did okay, I wish I had looked for a larger engine as it struggled with heavy towing. However, I have had no issues or complaints with my F-150 and it just keeps running strong. The gas mileage is fairly consistent and the biggest variation seems to come from the gas brand I use. Marathon is usually the best and I get higher mileage using it. Everyone that rides in my truck comments that it looks brand new. I am not a clean freak so I think the materials used were really good. I don't keep my truck in a garage so Ford used great materials and paint in making this truck. I hope this is my last vehicle and I am planning on driving it for many years and miles! Just turned 80K miles and still running strong. I have had one issue that required mechanical attention. One of my hoses from the radiator was leaking and had to be replaced. I also replaced the back brakes and rotors. The back brakes must have really been dragging because when I put on the new set, my gas mileage increased to about 21 miles per gallon on a long trip to Louisiana from Indiana. Local mileage usually is around 17.5 MPG. Still very happy with this truck. The interior looks new. I wouldn't dream of trading this in. The 5.0 is really an excellent motor and if you are thinking about buying an F-150, I would highly recommend the 5.0.
Felton Mayer 2025-10-04

I bought this truck used and have put over 60k miles on it. I absolutely love it! It's so quiet and handles great. I haven't had a single issue with it, which is impressive considering I've owned trucks for 38 years. I'm very happy with the econoboost v6 and would definitely buy the same truck again if I ever decide to replace this one.
Marcus Fritsch 2025-09-15

I recently purchased this truck brand new and just traded it in (9-18) with 96K miles. I had zero issues with it! The 3.7 engine had plenty of power and I made sure to keep up with maintenance. The MPG was consistently 17-18, which was great. However, KBB docked me 1500 on trade-in for having a V-6, which I think is unfair. I have hauled and towed stacks of slab wood together with no problem. I really liked the vinyl floor and used big, deep mats to keep it clean. I just started to notice a 4 inch rust bubble on the rear bumper, but that's it. Ohio uses a lot of salt, so I would try line-x next time. The truck was comfortable and I even drove it across the country and back. The 36 gallon tank was a big plus. Overall, it was a great and reliable truck. However, there were a few cons. The driver door comfort was not great, as the rest along the window was two levels and the rear level was very high (I'm 5'10 and it was almost shoulder high), which always caused my left arm, pinky and ring fingers to go numb. It needs to be the same as the low level all the way across. Additionally, there was a transmission pause with the new electronic shifting, which meant that when you put it in reverse or drive, there was always a pause and you could not give it gas. Finally, rear passengers complained of comfort and limited visibility.
Charley Herman 2025-09-13

'13 XLT SuperCrew, 5.6' short bed, 3.5L Ecoboost, 3.55 axle, tow package (not Max Tow), 2WDPurchased new 3/13. 40k miles in 19 months. 18.6 Total mpg so far, including over 10K miles towing a trailer. 24.4 mpg Hwy17-19 mpg City16 mpg Towing 6x14 enclosed trailer with GCVW of 9,800# (From GA to and through CO and back, twice, 9000 miles), 12.5 mpg Towing 27' RV toy hauler camper GCVW of 12,900#Power is outstanding while towing. Lots of torque at low rpms, nice and quiet and comfy. Only repair was resurfacing front brake rotors. NO intercooler problems. I am on a 5K mile oil change interval with the Motorcraft Semi-Syn.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2013 Ford F-150 problems:

2013 F-150 3.5L V6 - what's the worst issues to look out for? : r/f150

https://www.reddit.com/r/f150/comments/hfcuok/2013_f150_35l_v6_whats_the_worst_issues_to_look/

Jun 25, 2020 ... Some complain of carbon build up due to direct injection while other with high milage say they have little to none. You can listen for loose ...

2013 5.0 problems - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2013-5-0-problems-340531/

Apr 6, 2016 ... 2009 - 2014 Ford F150 - 2013 5.0 problems - Hey f150 nation. Just purchased a 2013 f150 5.0 4x4. Any common issues.

2013 Ford F-150 Problems and Complaints - 9 Issues

https://repairpal.com/2013-ford-f-150/problems

Problem with your 2013 Ford F-150? Our list of 9 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2013 Ford F-150.

2013 F150 5.0 recent problems - Ford F150 Forum - Community of ...

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2013-f150-5-0-recent-problems-462040/

Nov 14, 2019 ... So I have a 2013 ford f150 with the 5.0 V8 and 117k miles. A couple of weeks ago I started having some issues. First, one day my trucks idle ...