The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford F-150 · 2013

2013 Ford F-150. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index67100 = average car
Complaints624NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold763,402U.S. model year
Per 100K sold82complaints
Year rank#9 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 14

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto 6-spdRWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)RWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto 6-spd4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
3.7L 6-cylAuto 6-spdRWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)RWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 6-cylAuto 6-spd4WD16 / 21 / 18Regular$3,450
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)4WD16 / 21 / 18Regular$3,450
5.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S6)RWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
5.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S6)4WD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
6.2L 8-cylAuto (S6)RWD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
6.2L 8-cylAuto (S6)4WD12 / 16 / 13Regular$4,800

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,000 and 111,000 miles. Median 74,000, from 2,353 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain94,00064,000–132,800916
Engine54,20011,600–90,200474
Electrical66,90039,800–90,500242
Brakes52,00030,000–85,000247
Speed control69,60012,000–108,800188

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine35%
Brakes19%
Transmission & drivetrain14%
Electrical12%
Speed control10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
3,1998240562119

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 19V433000 Jun 2019 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 19V075000 Feb 2019 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V345000 May 2016 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Fluid

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedUnexpected transmission downshift20172019
ClosedMaster cylinder external leak20162016
ClosedReduced power during hard acceleration20132014

Manufacturer communications 141

Ford filed 141 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Some vehicles, with turbochared gasoline direct injection engines, will exhibit flashing…
  • On some trucks, on hard acceleration, after extended drive at highway speeds, an intermittent…
  • On some trucks, while operating in 4x2 mode, there will be noise coming from front hub…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201050292528,349Electrical
2011103699584,917Engine
201299694645,316Engine
201367624763,402Engine
201442351753,851Brakes
201589673780,354Brakes
201699809820,799Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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