Is the 2013 Ford F-350 reliable?

The 2013 Ford F-350 has 110 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: SUSPENSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ford F-350?

Top problems: SUSPENSION (30 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (30 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford F-350?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EQUIPMENT. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ford F-350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ford F-350 is approximately $1,478/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-350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford F-350 has 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 252. The most common issue is suspension problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: death wobble in motion usually on the highway. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 2 crash reports 2 injuries

110

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SUSPENSION

30 complaints

27%

• DEATH WOBBLE IN MOTION USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-350. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK WHEN MAKING CONTACT WITH A BUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE SHAKING OCCURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE V
• WHILE OUR TRUCK ON A NORMAL HIGHWAY WITH MINOR IRREGULARITIES AND SOME ROUGH SURFACES AT A SPEED OF 60 TO 70 MPH, THE TRUCK WILL START TO OSCILLATE TO THE POINT OF INDUCING A VIOLENTLY STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND AN UNCONTROLLABLE BOUNCE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2-MONTH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“DEATH WOBBLE IN MOTION USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford F-350

Based on 57 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 86K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 12K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Later than typicalmedian 108K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Later than typicalmedian 120K 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 (1)

EQUIPMENT13/08/2014

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Risk: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Fix: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford F-350

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

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-350 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-350, 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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 110 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SUSPENSION: DEATH WOBBLE IN MOTION USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: WHILE OUR TRUCK ON A NORMAL HIGHWAY WITH MINOR IRREGULARITIES AND SOME ROUGH SURFACES AT A SPEED OF 60 TO 70 MPH, THE TRUCK WILL START TO OSCILLATE TO THE POINT OF INDUCING A VIOLENTLY STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND AN UNCONTROLLABLE BOUNCE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2-MONTH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE ENGINE QUIT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART!! ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD ALLOW THE STARTER TO STAY ENGAGED!! HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF FOR THE STARTER TO STOP!! THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT HAS BEET THERE FOR OVER A WEEK AND THEY CA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE ENGINE QUIT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART!! ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD ALLOW THE STARTER TO STAY ENGAGED!! HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF FOR THE STARTER TO STOP!! THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT HAS BEET THERE FOR OVER A WEEK AND THEY CA
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)