2013 Ford F-250 SD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Ford F-250 SD has 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is engine problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: radiator failure due to poor design. leaking at the plastic seams under drain petcock. thousands if not hundreds of thousands of these units are failing years before they should. some consumers spend 50k+ on these trucks and yet are forced to repair the leaking radiator at a substantial cost out of . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
32
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
8 complaints- • RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. LEAKING AT THE PLASTIC SEAMS UNDER DRAIN PETCOCK. THOUSANDS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE UNITS ARE FAILING YEARS BEFORE THEY SHOULD. SOME CONSUMERS SPEND 50K+ ON THESE TRUCKS AND YET ARE FORCED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING RADIATOR AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST OUT OF
- • THE INNER CORE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS BAD WHICH WHEN MOVED UP OR DOWN BY MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSES THE DASH LIGHTS ,GPS, RADIO AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PART TO STOP WORKING , ALSO IF YOU HAVE A MEMORY ADJUST SEAT IT WILL START GOING FORWARD AND BACK SPORADICALLY WHICH IN TU
- • RADIATOR FAILURE, HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT LEAK WHICH IS NOT DISCERNIBLE BY COMMON INDICATORS. RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALL COOLANT WAS LOST WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, WHEN COOLING SYSTEM NOT UNDER LOAD THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE LEAK. THIS POSES A RISK OF CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, POSING A
“RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. LEAKING AT THE PLASTIC SEAMS UNDER DRAIN PETCOCK. THOUSANDS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE UNITS ARE FAILING YEARS BEFORE THEY SHOULD. SOME CONSUMERS SPEND 50K+ ON THESE TRUCKS AND YET ARE FORCED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING RADIATOR AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST OUT OF ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford F-250 SD
Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
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 (1)
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Risk: If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford F-250 SD
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford F-250 SD Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 F-250 SD, 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.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 32 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. LEAKING AT THE PLASTIC SEAMS UNDER DRAIN PETCOCK. THOUSANDS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE UNITS ARE FAILING YEARS BEFORE THEY SHOULD. SOME CONSUMERS SPEND 50K+ ON THESE TRUCKS AND YET ARE FORCED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING RADIATOR AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST OUT OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND HIT BUMP IN ROAD. THE TRUCK WENT INTO A MASSIVE VIBRATION ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST 35 MPH VIBRATION STOPPED AND CONTINUED ON DOWN HIGHWAY! TOOK INTO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRACK BAR HAD LOOSE BUSHINGS!! THEY W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. BROUGHT TO FORD SERVICE 3 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THEY QUOTED ME 11,145 TO FIX SAYING WATER WAS IN FUEL. I THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT BY AN ENGINEER, WHICH HE SENT FUEL TO INDEPENDENT LAB. FUEL RESULTS CAME BACK N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE INNER CORE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS BAD WHICH WHEN MOVED UP OR DOWN BY MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSES THE DASH LIGHTS ,GPS, RADIO AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PART TO STOP WORKING , ALSO IF YOU HAVE A MEMORY ADJUST SEAT IT WILL START GOING FORWARD AND BACK SPORADICALLY WHICH IN TU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-250 SD — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 32
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 37
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Ford F-250 SD