2013 Ford F-150 Owner Complaints

Brake master cylinder failed at only 98000 miles

NHTSA ID

11756470

Incident

Aug 6, 2026

Right front brake continuously freezes up making impossible to drive safely. ABS does not show any default or warnings. Truck shakes all over. Had rotors, calibers, and brake pads replied, but right side brake continues to freeze up. Brake lines checked and show no signs of collapse.

NHTSA ID

11754600

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

When backing up in reverse the parking camera goes black and this is a safety issue. It happens multiple times.

NHTSA ID

11754314

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection and was nearly involved in a crash. The vehicle restarted after approximately three minutes. The contact stated that the failure recurred on a second occasion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the dealer informed the contact that a liability waiver needed to be signed prior to servicing the vehicle. The contact declined to sign the waiver, stating that the requirement violated federal law regarding recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

NHTSA ID

11751897

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

Mileage

195,000 mi

My teenage son bought a used 2013 Ford F-150 with 111,000 miles on it about a year and a half ago. It had been running fine up until about 3 months ago when he started having issues with the transmission intermittently jumping gears while he is driving. The vehicle jumps to 3rd and 5th gear out of nowhere and then doesn't come out of that gear. Even when you turn it off and back on, the vehicle will stay in 3rd or 5th gear and then randomly fix itself. There are other times where the vehicle will not come out of first gear. We brought the truck into a local repair shop and and the mechanic informed us that Ford had an Extended Warranty Program, campaign 19N01, that should cover this known safety issue. When we brought it into Ford they confirmed the issue qualified for the campaign but the truck was out of time so they would not cover the repair. This is tough to understand since the vehicle didn't show any issues related to the problem until after the time ran out. Also, when buying the vehicle, we ran the VIN to check for recalls and this issue did not show up. I find it interesting that they categorized it in a way that it would not show up on a recall list and someone buying a used truck would not be aware of this problem. This is a huge safety concern since he could be driving down the road, or even on the highway, and the truck could jump to 5th gear and then downshift to 3rd gear or even worse all the way down to 1st gear. Why isn't Ford being held accountable to fix these issues even if they show up 10 years after the manufacture date?

NHTSA ID

11751768

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up and slide, jerking the contact back and forth. The contact sustained pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. The check engine and power train warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with molded leadframe failure; however, the contact was informed that the extended warranty coverage associated with the failure had expired. The vehicle was not yet repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ID

11751562

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

Mileage

157,000 mi

Sudden and catastrophic master cylinder failure. Complete loss of brakes at speed

NHTSA ID

11751407

Incident

Jul 19, 2026

Lead frame. It is currently scheduled to be replaced for ~$915. XXX- Vehicle suddenly downshifted hard into first gear, all gages dropped to 0 values and then remained in limp mode until powering it off and then back on. The wrench was lit up on the dash initially but went away with no code stored after restarting. XXX- Vehicle experienced sudden, hard downshift again, this time to third gear. Speedometer dropped to 0mph and odometer dropped to 0 miles. The wrench came on. The problem resolved after turning off and then restarting it. Again, no codes were found stored. XXX- The truck experienced the same symptoms again, but this time restarting it didn't help. The truck would stay in limp mode in either 1st or 3rd gear. I "limped" it to an Autozone while the wrench was still on the dash and the OBDII scanner found the codes P0720, P0722 and P0731. I limped it from there to XX Ford where they reprogrammed the transmission based on the 19S07 recall. After reprogramming it Waldorf Ford said it was still having issues and that diagnosing it would cost $199. I opted to take it to a trusted transmission shop around the corner (XXX transmissions in [XXX]) and had them diagnose it and now have the work scheduled to be performed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11750518

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

Brakes seem to be staying engaged when driving this has been for about 1 yr. Now all of a sudden, my truck wouldn't stop. Thankfully, I was pulling in to my own driveway, but now I'm not sure what to do about the situation. I jave seen a lot of complaints on 2013 F150 with ecoboost 3.5l and I don't think it's right that only certain vins are recalled when obviously A LOT of others should be included.

NHTSA ID

11750452

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

The automatic transmission suddenly downshifts to first gear at high speeds and causes high RPM to the engine and loss of control. I noticed the ford recall 19S07 but the dealer said it did not apply to my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11750291

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

The issue involves a loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module, which can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear, potentially leading to a loss of vehicle control. I purchased this vehicle in Feb 2025 used 2013 Ford F 150 6 Gear and this happened to me. I took it to the dealership, and they said the recall had expired and charged me over $1,300.00 to repair. This vehicle was always dealer serviced with Herb Chambers of Massachusetts and they failed to inform the previous owner of the recall. This Ford F150 2013 STX should be covered under this safety issue and they did not honor.

NHTSA ID

11750257

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

I purchased my truck used from its original owner, and until recently it has been an excellent, reliable vehicle. I had no idea there was a known issue with the transmission molded lead frame issue, and I was disappointed to learn that it was handled as an extended coverage program rather than a safety recall. When this failure occurred, my truck suddenly dropped into first gear without warning while I was driving. At first, I had no idea what was happening or why the truck would no longer accelerate properly. I got over just in time for a semi to pass me, thank God, because my truck was not going anywhere. If this had happened while I was pulling into traffic or in a more dangerous situation, the outcome could have been catastrophic. A vehicle that unexpectedly loses power or shifts into first gear without warning presents a serious safety hazard—not just to the driver, but to everyone else on the road. I have now been quoted more than $3,000 to repair this issue. As someone who purchased this truck in good faith, unaware of this known defect, this unexpected expense is extremely difficult to absorb.

NHTSA ID

11750207

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

"Ford Recall 19S07 was previously completed on my vehicle via a software patch, but the physical output speed sensor has now completely failed, throwing code P0720. The corporate software remedy failed to protect the mechanical hardware "

NHTSA ID

11749863

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

The brakes on my Ford f150 failed and I took it to a shop and found out that the master cylinder had failed and all the brake fluid was being pumped into the brake booster.I had the master cylinder and the booster replaced for $ 926.00 dollars. There was a recall for this problem but it ended with trucks that were made thru August 31,2013 my truck was made September 12 ,2013 only 12 days after the recall ended. My truck experienced the same failure as the trucks that were recalled

NHTSA ID

11749739

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11748867

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

While towing a 5000lb camper to go camping, the vehicle spontaneously started fire. When I exited the vehicle I noticed smoke and flames coming from underneath the cab. I opened the hood and it appeared that the fire was coming from the transmission area. Attempts we're made to extinguish the fire while awaiting the arrival of the fire dept. Attempts by myself, and others were unsuccessful causing the fire to burn through the firewall and into the cab. I was in a rural area so it took approx. 15-20 minutes for the fire dept to arrive. The fire eventually burned through the dash and the front windshield. Fire dept arrived and were able to put out the fire. Needless to say the vehicle was totalled.

NHTSA ID

11748070

Incident

Mar 28, 2026

While driving at 40-45mph, the vehicle abruptly slowed to 15-20 mph, with no warning whatsoever. I narrowly avoided being rear ended by a box truck by moving into the turning lane. Had I been on the highway, this would have led to a catastrophic accident. I am concerned for the safety of my family, myself, and other drivers. Please reinstate/ extend the statute of limitations, or make exception for recall campaign 19N01, for this safety issue, as the Ford dealership I contacted about this issue declined to correct this safety issue under recall terms. Thank you for keeping roads in this United States as safe as possible!

NHTSA ID

11747758

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

In reference to report filed already. Complaint: 1174738. Had problems importing some worksheets from Manufacturer acknowledging problem with truck and safety issues.

NHTSA ID

11747736

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel Transmission Failure I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel due to a serious and costly transmission failure that I believe warrants investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). I purchased this vehicle in 2020, and since that time it has experienced ongoing transmission problems. The transmission has progressively worsened and now slips during operation, creating a safety concern when accelerating, merging into traffic, or crossing intersections. The vehicle does not consistently respond as expected, increasing the risk of a crash. After having the vehicle inspected, I was informed that the transmission requires complete replacement at a cost of more than $7,000. This is an excessive repair expense for what appears to be a known issue affecting Ford F-150 trucks. I am aware that Ford has issued recalls and service actions involving transmission problems on other model-year Ford F-150s. Given the nature of the transmission failure in my 2013 F-150 and the widespread complaints from other owners, I believe the 2013 Ford F-150 should also be investigated for similar transmission defects. This failure is more than an inconvenience—it is a safety issue. A slipping transmission can result in unexpected loss of power, delayed acceleration, or failure to properly engage gears, placing drivers, passengers, and others on the roadway at risk. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate transmission failures in the 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel and determine whether this model should be included in any existing or future safety recalls or other corrective actions. Owners should not be responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs when the failure may be the result of a widespread defect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID

11747623

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

I have had error messages displayed on the dashboard that there are a Hill Descent Control Fault and Service Advance Trac. These are immediately followed by loss of throttle response and/or loss of engine power. This has been occurring since April 2025 till presently June 2026. I have all documents from the dealership stating the faults exist and invoices stating they had been fixed. My truck has been serviced for the same problem six times at a cost of over$1800 over the last year and I am still having the same exact problem in traffic, which include loss of throttle and/ or power where I must stop completely in the lane I am in. I recently was almost struck in the rear of my vehicle because a truck did not notice be stopped off center lane. This is a danger to me and others on the roadways. It is continuing to get worse; I have photos of me pulled over in roadways, medians, shoulders having to stop put the truck in park to restart and proceed like normal until the next error and safety situation arises. It has occurred up to four times in one outing on the roadways. They have replaced Throttle body, throttle shaft twice, actuators, fuel pump relays and a fuse box relocation because of a ford TSB that a tech found on web. But my problem still exist they presently have my vehicle again, and I was told today they wanted to charge me for sparkplugs because that may be the cause. IDK. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11747438

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

While driving approximately 45 MPH on a multi-lane road in moderate-to-heavy traffic, the truck shuddered as if caught between gears, then the engine revved past 4500 RPM on its own. Lifting off the accelerator had no effect on RPM, and pressing it produced no change in engine or vehicle speed. Moments later the drivetrain engaged violently: the rear tires chirped, the rear of the truck stepped sideways, and the vehicle decelerated abruptly from about 45 MPH to under 10 MPH with no brake input from me. Because there was no braking, I do not believe my brake lights illuminated during this sudden deceleration, creating a serious rear-end collision risk for any following vehicle. At onset, the speedometer dropped to zero (drifting down as if the engine had shut off), the odometer displayed only dashes, and the wrench/powertrain warning light illuminated. After the downshift, the wrench light cleared and the airbag warning light came on. The tachometer stayed elevated and the gear selector would only indicate gears 1, 2, and 3. I pulled over, shut off and restarted the vehicle, and drove home slowly under 15 MPH. This same failure recurred on 06/24/2026 while driving to the dealer. A Ford dealer technician inspected the vehicle and confirmed the transmission molded leadframe had broken, producing diagnostic trouble code P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit, No Signal). The failed component is available for inspection. The sudden, unintended loss of power and severe deceleration in live traffic, with no driver input and likely no brake-light warning to following traffic, is a significant safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11746952

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

The speedometer on my vehicle recently indicated a speed 10-15 mph lower than the actual highway speed. Approximately one week later, while operating the vehicle with cruise control set at 58 mph and descending a decline, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth to first gear. This abrupt shift resulted in a violent jolt to the rear of the vehicle, nearly causing a loss of control. Upon contacting Ford regarding this issue, I was informed that they are aware of the problem and that an extended warranty campaign is in place for the transmission lead wire frame and vehicle speed sensor. Ford offered to repair this free of charge, with the caveat that the campaign covers vehicles up to 150,000 miles, originating from 36,000 miles. According to various owner groups and online forums, this issue is prevalent in 2013 F-150 pickups equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, often manifesting well after the 150,000-mile mark, as was the case with my vehicle. While Ford acknowledges this known problem and its potential consequences, the warranty repair cutoff at 150,000 miles could lead to catastrophic outcomes, as demonstrated by my near-loss of control incident. It is important to note that the same transmission and speed sensors have already been recalled in 2014 models, which share an essentially identical powertrain, yet the 2013 models are not included in this recall. This presents a significant safety concern, as the manufacturer is aware of the issue, but their current campaign does not adequately cover the mileage at which many of these problems are emerging.

NHTSA ID

11746911

Incident

Jun 14, 2026

Vehicle downshifts when driving similar to current recall on 2015-2017 Ford F-150. Repaired at a cost of $1,650.

NHTSA ID

11746881

Incident

Apr 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The orange wrench symbol was displayed. The contact pulled over for five minutes, and the computer was reset. After the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle operated normally. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the wheel speed sensor. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

NHTSA ID

11746248

Incident

May 28, 2026

Mileage

141,000 mi

While driving the steering wheel will jerk and pull the wheel to the right then have no power steering at all. This has happened three times now with one time I ran off the road while going around a corner , luckily on a fm road with no traffic. I have to stop turn the vehicle off wait a few minutes then restart and it is fine again for awhile. I used a code reader to find a torque shaft sensor code where it loses communication with itself intermittently which is inside the electric power steering rack and unserviceable outside a 2k whole steering assembly. This is a dangerous fault , I used my truck at work until this happened and lost my job due to not being able to perform my duties as a maintenance tech. I see the recalls online about this issue I’ve tried to schedule a service to have it reprogrammed but everytime I try the ford site just spins and never loads for this service yet will work just fine for any other aspect .. please help I shouldn’t have to lose everything because of fords known issue with the power steering .. I’m the second owner of this vehicle and have no other problems ever with the truck outside of normal maintenance. I can’t afford the rack due to losing my job and can’t get to a job due to the issue it’s a catch 22 .. please help…

NHTSA ID

11746172

Incident

Apr 5, 2026