Is the 2013 Ford F-150 a bad year?
2,993 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,345, 24× a quiet F-150 year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 24× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 65k–133k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 F-150 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 95,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 1,345 (45%) | 65k–133k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 363 (12%) | 37k–99k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 304 (10%) | 13k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 216 (7%) | 47k–112k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 39 (1%) | 44k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 39 (1%) | 20k–96k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Stability control | 28 (1%) | 60k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (1%) | 6k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 10 (0%) | 68k–152k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 564 (19%) | 11k–94k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 324 (11%) | 44k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 190 (6%) | 35k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 159 (5%) | 32k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 48 (2%) | 27k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 95,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,993 complaints: 78 mention a crash · 35 mention a fire · 53 report an injury · 114 say the car was towed.
151 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
With cruise control set on and going 70 MPH, on a straight level highway, transmission downshifted to 1st gear.
When truck slows down it slips in to like a neutral position and rpm's rev up.
I was driving on a highway going approximately 60 MPH when it unexpectedly downshifted. My momentum violently jerked me forward, the tires squeeled, and the RPM gauge went up to over 6,000.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 95,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150: 3
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. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster. Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 133
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Ford F-150. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Some vehicles may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area
Some 2011-2021 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Master Cylinder External Leak
Reduced power during hard acceleration
Neighbouring years
2012 F-150: 1,782 complaints, consider selling · 2014 F-150: 1,540 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford F-150 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-150 years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Ford F-150 a bad year?
2,993 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,345, 24× a quiet F-150 year. At 95,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 24× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 65k–133k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F-150?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (1,345), brakes (363), speed control (304), steering (216), air bags (39). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 65k–133k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 19V-433), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 19V-075), Brakes (NHTSA 16V-345). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.