The Lemon Index
201220144th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: brakes
22 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Chevrolet Express 112013 Ford Transit Connect 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 40,000 miles (4,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 22 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V350000 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 15V779000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 15V763000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This SKU is a front upper ball joint”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 22 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 40K miles (4K to 64K km) on the car (20 of all 22 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
High speed front end impact accident and all airbags failed to deploy causing serious bodily injury.
2013 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10615842
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- Ford/lincoln/mercury: the indicator may illuminate overdrive off and/or slipping in 3rd or no…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2016
If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Show all 10 recalls
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, then a short circuit may occur that cou…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford E-150 Passenger VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford E-150 Wagon WAGON RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Every Ford E-Series year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2013" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 14; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2013 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (41%), suspension (36%) and tires (27%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford E-Series have?
10 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford E-Series problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 40,000 miles (4,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 22 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works