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2013 Ford F-150: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford F-150: two for the powertrain (filed 2019) and one for brakes (filed 2016). Owners have filed 2,983 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train and the engine. For comparison, owners filed 1,783 for the 2012 and 1,534 for the 2014 F-150. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall, with a 19.8% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford F-150. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V433000 Filed Jun 10, 2019

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0L or 6.2L gasoline engines, that previously had the powertrain control module (PCM) software reprogrammed under recall 19V-075. 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.
Consequence
Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S19.
79% repairedof 107,857 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V433000
Listed for 2013 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V075000 Filed Feb 11, 2019

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
60% repairedof 1,263,051 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V075000
Listed for 2013 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V345000 Filed May 24, 2016

Master Cylinder Rear Cup Seal Leak

Service brakes, hydraulic · fluid
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
Consequence
Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S24.
78.2% repairedof 225,012 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V345000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (2,983)

2,983 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

77involved a crash
35involved a fire
64injuries reported
4deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford F-150, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2,983.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other F-150 years

Best and worst F-150 years →
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 3★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 19.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2013 Ford F-150 pu/rc 4x2, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
17
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
471 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 Ford F-150 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550471
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550470
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700481
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700481
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700505
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700505
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950519
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950519
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950519
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950519
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200557
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200558
6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$4,450599
6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 13$5,150675
6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 13$5,150663

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 F-150 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-150 years

Where to next

2013 Ford F-150 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V433000 (power train), 19V075000 (power train), 16V345000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

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

Owners filed 2,983 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (1,338), Engine (547), Service brakes (362) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 Ford F-150 get?

EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 17 city, 23 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2013 Ford F-150 get?

NHTSA rated the 2013 Ford F-150 pu/rc 4x2 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2013 F-150 compare with other years?

Among the 2009–2018 Ford F-150 model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (324) and the 2013 the most (2,983). The 2013 drew 2,983. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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