Is the 2013 Ford F-150 reliable?

The 2013 Ford F-150 has 3910 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

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

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (1324 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (563 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (362 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford F-150?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

Is the 2013 Ford F-150 often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Ford F-150: above-avg. HLDI insurance loss data suggests higher-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ford F-150?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ford F-150 is approximately $1,567/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Ford F-150

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford F-150 has 3910 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 1726. The most common issue is transmission problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: the rear end locks up when going around a corner. in a full cab and a 6.5 foot bed. *tr. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 40 fire reports filed.

40 fire reports 77 crash reports 68 injuries

3910

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

1324 complaints

34%

• THE REAR END LOCKS UP WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER. IN A FULL CAB AND A 6.5 FOOT BED. *TR
• SAID VEHICLE DOES NOT GET THE MILEAGE STATED ON WINDOW STICKER AND ADVERTISEMENTS. 2013 4X4 ECOBOOST STATES 15CITY/21HWY, IT DOES ONLY GET ABOUT 13-15MPG IN CITY, BUT ON HIGHWAY; AVERAGE IS ROUGHLY 17MPG, WHICH COMPARED TO THE STICKER IS A 4MPG DIFFERENCE. *TR
• NOT GETTING STICKER MPG; TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND FORD MILHAM DEALERSHIP IN EASTON PA OFF RT 33 SAID " THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT" POWER STEERING RACK ALSO MALFUNCTIONED AT 7,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP MANAGER AGREED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF ON A WEDNESDAY. THU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 25 crashes

“THE REAR END LOCKS UP WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER. IN A FULL CAB AND A 6.5 FOOT BED. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford F-150

Based on 2,890 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 72K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

578

30-60K

534

60-100K

902

100-150K

568

150-200K

259

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 56K mi · 462 reports

0-30K

174

30-60K

60-100K

118

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 69K mi · 183 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 66K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 16K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 38K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)11/02/2019

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.

Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Above-average theft risk

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford F-150

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,567

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1567

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-150 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 F-150, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Videos About the 2013 Ford F-150

Videos hosted on YouTube — embedded via official player

2013 Ford F-150 Long Term Review - 10 Years of ownership

Brendan DrivesOct 2023

2013 Ford F-150 Review

AutoGuide.comMay 2013

Why This 2013 Ford F-150 Is the Perfect 12th Gen Truck 2009-2014

Mountain's BreathSep 2025

2013 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 3.5TT POV Test Drive & Review

Nothin’ But Car ReviewsMay 2023

2013 Ford F-150 XLT Review, Walkaround, Exhaust, Test Drive

Redline ReviewsSep 2012

Videos are hosted on YouTube and embedded here via YouTube's official player. BestCarRank does not host or produce these videos. Watch counts and channel information are pulled from YouTube's public Data API.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 3910 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THE REAR END LOCKS UP WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER. IN A FULL CAB AND A 6.5 FOOT BED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY - OUTSIDE TEMP 40 DEG F / DEWPOINT 40 (THIS IS RELEVANT - THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER TEMP & DEW POINT ARE WITHIN 10 OF EACH OTHER FOR MANY OTHERS) AT 65MPH - I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE. AFTER MY LANE CHANGE, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE & THE VEHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWNHILL AND TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER WITH A 7,025 POUND HAUL, THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS RATED AT A TOWING CAPACITY OF 10,000 POUNDS OR LESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE DURING HEAVY RAINS. TRAFFIC IN MY LANE STOPPED. I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE BRISKLY. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND THE ENGINE POWER DIED. IT SEEMED TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)