2013 Ford F-150 problems
The 2013 Ford F-150 has 3,976 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (33%) concerns drivetrain & axles. After that come engine (14%) and brakes (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 3,976 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 33% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 103 and 48
- Injuries and deaths
- 88 and 6
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 2,898 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 469 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 262 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 382 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 480 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 422 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 308 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 181 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 173 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 108 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 61 |
| 200k+ miles | 52 |
What the data shows
Among the 2,898 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 72,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 93,000 miles (890 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 103 complaints mention a crash; 48 complaints mention a fire; 88 injuries reported; 6 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 36 model years of the Ford F-150 with enough data (1,741 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The contact owned a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the son was driving approximately 93 MPH, and while approaching a stop light, the vehicle continued to drive into an intersection and crashed into a commercial Semi truck. During the crash, the three front-seat occupants sustained fatal injuries. The rear driver-side passenger sustained head trauma and was rushed to the hospital. A police report was filed and indicated a possible brake malfunction had occurred before the crash.
Vehicle accelerated without driver pressing gas pedal and RPM gauge jumped up to 5 (which is red zone). Brake pedal went to the floor when brakes were applied instead of causing the vehicle to stop. Emergency brake was used, and driver lost control of the vehicle resulting in a terrible accident. The crash caused injuries to driver and the death of a bicyclist.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the warning message "Service Advance Trac" and "Hill Control Defect" illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off the vehicle and upon restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the steering gear and the rack and pinion assembly were replaced.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to second gear, veered into another lane, and became uncontrollable. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was surging. The RPM had increased to high, and the wrench symbol was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated.