general problems of the 2013 Ford F-150 - part 1

220 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2013 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2013 F-150.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2025

We took our Ford f150 king ranch to our local mechanic. The vehicle would shift down into a lower gear when traveling at speed limit. After that, that speedometer stopped working and other gages were inoperable. This happened several times before we contacted out mechanic for diagnostics testing. The trouble code p0722 / 6r80 transmission high gear engagement from a stop. In February 2019 Ford issued a safety recall stating these vehicles may suddenly downshift to first gear, possibly causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The information I have obtained directly from the Ford website "dealers will reprogram the recalled Ford F-150's pcm, free of charge. The repair is currently available". We purchased this vehicle from carmax in 2021 and were not made aware of this recall. I contacted our local dealership, autonation Ford, that we had used for regular maintenance for the first two years after purchase of our vehicle. After diagnostic testing on the vehicle was complete, they advised the safety recall time had "expired". That we will be responsible for the repairs. Does a "safety recall" expire? we were advised the recall expired after 150k miles. We have approximately 164k miles. Can you please advise what our options may be? I do not feel safe driving this vehicle at this point. Autonation has had our vehicle since 09/11/2025. They are expecting me to pay for the repairs.

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/09/2025

Vechicle shuts off during high speeds causing driver to loose control and driver and passengers to be tossed around even while constrained with seat belts.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2025

Transmission downshifts while driving transmission stays in first gear transmission bangs wrench appears on dash all control is lost.

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2025

Description: on July 7, 2025, I purchased this vehicle from autonation spring, texas. At the time of sale, the dealership did not disclose that there was an active safety recall on this vehicle. I only learned of the recall after the purchase, when I checked the VIN through NHTSA’s website. The recall remains open and unresolved as of today’s date. The arizona autonation dealership has had possession of the vehicle for service since shortly after the sale, but no recall repair has been completed. I was never informed at the time of sale that this safety defect existed or that repairs were outstanding. I am concerned that the vehicle was sold in violation of federal and/or state consumer protection laws regarding safety recall disclosures. I request NHTSA’s review and investigation into whether this dealership and manufacturer have complied with all requirements for recall handling and notification. --- key points for NHTSA’s file: date of purchase: July 7, 2025. Selling dealer: autonation spring, texas. Recall was active at time of sale. Recall was not disclosed to buyer. Vehicle remains in dealership possession with recall still open.

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2025

Wrench displayed today, transmission was hard shifting trying to go in and out of gear.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2025

*transmission downshifted while traveling 15 mph *unsafe condition traveling on roadway *temporary loss of control *wrench appeared, shifted hard into first gear.

7 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/23/2025

*transmission downshifts while driving at normal traffic speeds *sudden stops in traffic *wrench appeared on dash, lost all digital numbers, I e. Speed. . . As soon as downshift.

8 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2025

Driving on the freeway in traffic, driving approximately 10mph. Started to see smoke come from hood, checked gauges and all gauges were normal, no warning lights on. Pulled over and turned off vehicle and flames started from under the hood. Entire vehicle burned.

9 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2025

I have a 2013 f150 XLT. It is displaying the same backup camera issues that the recent recall has described, however it is not included in the recall. When I put the transmission in reverse, the backup camera display is either blank, shows a momentary blue screen, then blank or shows a distorted reversed image with no guidelines. I'm just reporting this information in an effort to expand Ford's recall to all years/models effected by this backup camera fault. Thanks.

10 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2025

My 2013 f150 had been acting strangely in showing a wrench on the led screen and shutting off the electrical components on my dash. When this happens, it also sticks the transmission in between 3-5th gear. I am unable to shift down to 1st or 2nd gear, or up to 6th gear. After this happened a few times, it started to shift me in to park and stop my wheels from turning. This happened to me 3 times while traveling down the highway at 80mph. All 3 times, it lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to screech my brand new tires and leave marks on the ground as if I had slammed on my brakes. It returns to normal and continues down the road.

11 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2025

Truck is down shifting to 1st gear while on freeway at high speed. Causing no control and back wheels to lock up. Almost died. Ford says it’s not covered under recal.

12 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/15/2025

When I put my truck in reverse. . . My backup camera goes black with no picture. Which has caused me to back into things.

13 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/13/2025

My vehicle is having unexpected downshifts. I was driving approx. 55 mph today and I felt something and saw it downshifted to 2nd gear. I pulled over and turned it off. Didn’t see anything odd under the hood and couldn’t get it to start again until the computer was reset. I googled and found that my year and model vehicle had a recall for this exact problem. Ford is advising that my vehicle has no recalls when I submit my VIN.

14 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2025

The issue involves the rear backup camera system on my 2013 Ford F-150. The camera functions intermittently — sometimes it goes completely black, other times it freezes and does not change image, and occasionally displays a message that says "camera unavailable. " this happens unpredictably and may change mid-use, even while the vehicle is actively reversing. E component that has failed is the rear-view backup camera system, which appears to be a software-related malfunction (as similar issues have been recalled in newer Ford models). The vehicle and system are available for inspection upon request. This failure presents a significant safety hazard. Because the camera may stop working mid-reverse, it can result in an inability to see behind the vehicle, potentially causing injury to pedestrians (especially children or people in blind spots), damage to property, or accidents in tight spaces. The inconsistent nature of the issue makes it particularly dangerous, as a driver may unknowingly rely on a malfunctioning system. Yes, I contacted the local Ford dealership to report the issue. They acknowledged the possibility of a software or system issue but stated I would need to pay $250 for a diagnostic, which would not go toward the cost of any repair. Due to the high diagnostic fee and the fact that this may be a systemic issue, I have not proceeded further yet. There were no prior warning lamps or alerts before the issue started. The only messages displayed occur at the moment of failure and include "camera unavailable" or a blank screen with no visual feed. These symptoms began in April 2025 and have continued sporadically since then. I am submitting this complaint because this is a serious safety concern, and I believe there may be a broader software issue affecting earlier Ford models, similar to those recalled in newer vehicles. As the driver, I should not bear responsibility for a system that is inherently defective and critical to safe vehicle operation.

15 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/17/2025

Traveling on highway at speed of 65 to 70 mph and vehicle suddenly downshifted and experienced a loos of power. Dashboard went off and I lost control of the vehicle. My safety was put at risk due to loss of power of vehicle. I could not identify anything wrong with the vehicle before it happened.

16 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/09/2025

Due to an unresolved issue that Ford motor company is aware of with the transmission “molded lead frame” the truck will drop down into 1st gear from highway speeds and causes a huge safety concern if there should be someone traveling behind me. The speedometer will stop working as well as the mileage will disappear off the screen/all other information will go blank. I will have to stop the truck, turn it off and back on again and it will drive normal. When I bring to dealer; they state Ford should be covering this issue: when I contact Ford I am offered no assistance or remedies. They referred me to bring this safety issue to your attention. It is very concerning and I cannot afford another car at the moment.

17 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2024

Front passenger door and rear driver side door lock does not unlock from the outside when the truck is unlocked. Manually have to get inside the truck to unlock the doors. Eventually the front passenger door lock got stuck and the latch was not even working to keep the door closed.

18 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/16/2024

Truck has been recalled for a lead frame issue with a 19n01 recall for csp Ford refuses to fix the issue stating it's outside of warranty but truck will go into 5th gear and then slam down to first while driving, occasionally the transmission speed sensor fails due to this and trans won't shift out of 5th gear at all. This is happening with several years of the f150 series and Ford isn't doing anything about it the f150s are hazardous on the road.

19 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/07/2024

Sudden downshifting while driving relating to transmission lead frame failure.

20 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2024

Periodically tachometer revs, speedometer and odometer stops working, and the powertrain malfunction/reduced power/electronic throttle control as well as the service engine soon lights come on. Sometimes will reset when stopped, and the vehicle is turned off for about ten seconds before turning back on.

21 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2024

We had a recall for reprogramming transmission in March 2023 at Ford dealer last week my son driving on highway and it downshifted to low speed almost caused a car to hit truck.

22 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/08/2024

Transmission issue? vehicle is not shifting correctly. Shifting is very rough and we are afraid to drive the vehicle. Local dealer said we can schedule an appointment. . . It would be 3-4 weeks. No warning lights or messages. (we just had a recall taken care of on our 2014 f150 for a shifting issue but had no symptoms. ).

23 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/26/2024

Ford needs to recall and fix the 2013 f150s with the 6r80 transmission as well. It shouldn't be on the road has the same shifting issues the 2014 does and instead of fixing the recalls on all trucks they closed it.

24 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2024

2013 f150 truck wouldn’t get out of first gear from stop light, wrench light came on, speed odometer stayed at 0 miles. Took to Ford dealership to have recall 19s07 done and was told this would not fix it, (needed a fix that was no longer offered bc I’m past 10 years mark) they did the recall and now the truck jerks when shifting gears and downshifts to first from any speed.

25 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/09/2024

About 3 weeks ago, I had come to a stop, and then when I hit the accelerator to come from the stop sign, the "check-engine" light came up, my odometer & speedometer seemed to stop working; additionally, I felt that the vehicle wasn't accelerating. When I arrived home, I turned off & then the vehicle back on; and everything since then seems to have been working. I have taken it too the dealership to see if they can determine this issue, and after 5 days, I still don't have an answer. But I did just notice the 2014 f150 recall, regarding faulty transmission, that was reported on, on June 25th; it seems very similar to what happened to my 2013 f150.

26 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2024

An intermittent failure of the output speed sensor (oss) in the transmission may result in an unintended downshift to first gear.

27 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/30/2024

The truck I have is known to have a problem with the lead frame Ford issued a recall on this vehicle however my vehicle was never fixed at all they just have it marked as no open recall and they are telling me that the vehicle is no longer covered by the warranty on the recall due to a time lapse and mileage being over. This vehicle was affected by this recall and it is a safety recall yet the vehicle was never properly fixed for this and it has ongoing issues that have to do with this recall.

28 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2024

My rear window shattered out. I wasnt even driving it. I dont know what happened.

29 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2024

Interior of rear window unexpectedly shattered while backing out of the driveway. Pieces of glass flew onto the back seat, fortunately no one was sitting in the rear of the truck at the time.

30 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2024

When you going down the road at 4550 mile an hour it just dropped down the first gear.

31 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/20/2024

Unknown.

32 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/15/2024

I was driving on the highway going 70mph in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely where I had no power to my vehicle. I got it towed to a dealership and after paying out of pocket for a diagnostic they found that my truck had a recall with the oss sensor on the transmission witch caused significant engine and transmission damage resulting in $18,000. 00 to fix. Apparently the warranty expires 10 years or 150k miles witch my truck has surpassed both. I wasn’t warned about any recall or found any recall there was no damage or signs of damage to the truck prior to this incident.

33 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/12/2023

While driving on the highway at approximately 70 mph, with my child in the car, the vehicle suddenly shifted into first gear causing the wheels to skid and the vehicle to stop in moving traffic. Luckily, I was able to get to the side for safety, but this could have been so much worse. When I called dealership they stated there was no recalls for this problem. Also, the vehicle is now in need of repair, I would presume as a result of the engine being shifted into 1st gear while traveling at highway speeds.

34 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/25/2023

Our speedometer stopped working and wrench light would come on. When driving the gears would shift to 5th. It happened really bad on the highways several times where we had to pullover for a good 20 minutes. Started happening a little over a month ago. They had my truck in the shop for 2 weeks we've had it looked at and fixed and they said it was the recall on 2011-2012 Ford's f1-50s and some 2013 Ford f1-50s but we got charged for it.

35 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2023

Diagnosed by local goodyear service. The leadframe on transmission need replacing. Truck randomly shuts off, shifts wrong & dash lights are weird. Ford dealer says not a recall & truck is too old for extended warranty. Ford customer service says the same. And this isnt a safely issue?! dealer says $700+ to fix. Just spent nearly $1800 to fix a broken leaf spring - in the middle layer of the spring - & truck has never been overloaded - Ford company would not tell me if that had a recall because it was not diagnosed by dealer. It was rubbing on 1 of new tires good thing we did not have a blowout!.



F-150 Service Bulletins
F-150 Safety Recalls
F-150 Defect Investigations