Skip to content

FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2013 Ford F-150 has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 2,796 owner complaints, and gets about 13 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2013 Ford F-150

  • Engine 8-cyl 6.2L
  • Drive Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD

Should you worry?

Be careful

Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

3 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Serious

What do owners report?

1 death reported

Out of 2,796 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

4 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2013.

  • 20116recalls
  • 20124recalls
  • 2013 · this car3recalls
  • 20148recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
4 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
4 / 5 stars
Rollover
3 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2013 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4 · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

3 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Power Train

    11/02/2019

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Power Train

    10/06/2019

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  3. Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    24/05/2016

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2013.

  • 20112,137reports
  • 20121,717reports
  • 2013 · this car2,796reports
  • 20141,362reports

2,796 owner reports on file

74 crash mentions 31 fire mentions 60 injury mentions 1 death mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 2,796 total reports.

  • POWER TRAIN 1,188 of 2,796

    At about [XXX] [XXX], Tuesday, I was N/B on [XXX] , my speed was approximately 60 mph. All of a sudden, my brakes locked up as if I slammed on by brakes. Although a safe distance behind my, vehicles behind me had to swerve out of my way due

  • SERVICE BRAKES 310 of 2,796

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while hauling a trailer, the brake pedal independently went to the floorboard. The ABS and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated while a

  • ENGINE 240 of 2,796

    Truck has 91,200 miles and was well maintained. Truck has a loud rattle (like rocks in a can) on dry start up after sitting for several days. Rattle goes away after starting and is consistent with worn CAM PHASERS, as shown in many vide

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 229 of 2,796

    Odometer Fraud. The contact's client purchased a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 58,000, and a

  • STEERING 211 of 2,796

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. In addition, the steering failure

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 137 of 2,796

    When I put my Truck in Reverse...My Backup Camera goes BLACK with NO PICTURE. Which has caused me to back into things.

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the 4WD version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2013.

  • 201114mpg
  • 201215mpg
  • 2013 · this car13mpg
  • 201418mpg

$4,750

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 12 mpg
Highway driving 16 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 13 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $12,750 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

8-cyl 6.2L

Drivetrain

Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
8-cyl 6.2L
Cylinders
8
Displacement
6.2 L
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Body
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the power train

Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2013 Ford F-150 listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2013 Ford F-150? +

    NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford F-150 get? +

    The EPA rates the 2013 Ford F-150 at 13 mpg combined (12 city / 16 highway), about $4,750 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2013 Ford F-150? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2013 Ford F-150 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2013 Ford F-150? +

    Owners have filed 2,796 complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford F-150, including 74 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.

    OTHER F-150 YEARS

    FREE IN THE APP

    Comparing a few cars? Save the 2013 Ford F-150 and line it up against the others in the app.

    No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.

    FREE ON iOS

    Shopping for a 2013 Ford F-150?

    Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.

    Research another car → Have the VIN? Decode it free →