EQUIPMENT
2013 Ford F-450
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Ford F-450, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 6 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Body & structure114.3%
- Brakes114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Fuel system114.3%
- Other / unspecified114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
- Tires & wheels114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
While driving my truck down the highway it will violently shake until I brake below 40 MPH. This occurs when there is a change in surface on the roadway. An example is going over a bridge or rough pavement. It has happened several times in the past year, and most recently last weekend while my wife was with me. We were driving on a major interstate at 65 MPH, maintaining a single lane when the truck went into a "death wobble." The front end shook so violently, it became a safety risk for our lives as well as other drivers. It was extremely difficult to maintain the steering until the truck stopped shaking. My wife no longer feels safe driving the vehicle. In the past, we have taken it to a local mechanic and I was advised they were not able to find an issue. We have purchased new tires and taken them to the Ford dealership to balance and align. We check the tire pressure regulary, and had an alignment done, though the violent shaking is getting worse, rather than better, when it happens. The truck gives no prior warning when this occurs. I don't see any form of recall for this issue, and a forum only advises buying an after market component to fix it. I want the truck fixed correctly, with Ford parts, as my intent was to keep it for several more years.
- NHTSA ID
- 11441819
- Incident
- Nov 20, 2021
2013 F-450 REGULAR PICKUP, FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE, MY VEHICLE ARE EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH-SUPPLIED CP4 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION PUMPS THAT WERE 'NEVER COMPATIBLE WITH AMERICAN FUEL STANDARDS. MY PU HAS 49,000 MILES I HAD PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FORD THEY DENIED THE COVERAGE AS WELL, SAYING IT HAS WATER CONTAMINATION, CP4 PUMP IS SIMPLY NOT BUILT TO WITHSTAND U.S. SPECIFICATIONS FOR DIESEL FUEL WITH REGARD TO LUBRICATION OR WATER CONTENT AND STRUGGLES TO 'LIFT A VOLUME OF FUEL SUFFICIENT TO LUBRICATE ITSELF. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SURE RECAL THIS PROBLEM, THIS BILL IS OVER $16,000.00
- NHTSA ID
- 11390712
- Incident
- Dec 11, 2020
- Mileage
- 49,000 mi
I64 WESTBOUND SANDSTONE MOUNTAIN W VA 8 MILE 6% GRADE REALIZED INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKES FAILED AND HAD 2 USE MANUAL BRAKE OPTION ON BRAKE CONTROL. WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY WARNING BY TRUCK THAT TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER HAD FAILED. I AM EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO MANUALLY OPERATE TRAILER BRAKES FROM THE CONTROLLER. INEXPERIENCED OPERATORS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11210552
- Incident
- May 28, 2019
- Mileage
- 117,000 mi
FORD F-450 2013 HORTON AMBULANCE HAD THE FUEL TANK FALL FROM THE FRAME ON TO THE ROAD ON EMERGENCY 911 CALL. FRAME HAS HUGH CRACK WITH RETAINING STRAPS. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE 9 OF THESE EXTENDED CAB HORTON AMBULANCES WITH 7 HAVING CRACKS IN THE FRAME IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. 2 ARE LEAKING DISEAL FUEL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11155173
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2018
- Mileage
- 179,000 mi
CODE P2201 SETTING AND CAUSING TRUCK TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND REDUCE POWER. VEHICLE IS USED A A BRUSHPUMPER FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS TO DEALER 12 TIMES WITH NO REPAIR THAT HAS LASTED. CODE SETS WHEN IN MOTION, DE-RATES POWER AND HAS TO LIMP BACK TO SHOP. CANNOT BE USED TO FIGHT FIRES AT THIS TIME.
- NHTSA ID
- 10851181
- Incident
- Mar 23, 2016
- Mileage
- 7,804 mi
THE ONLY WAY TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE INSIDE TIRE OF A DUALLY IS TO REMOVE THE OUTSIDE TIRE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10594249
- Incident
- May 27, 2014
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Some 2011-2012 F-250/F-350 and 2011-2015 F-450/F-550 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine built on or before 9-Dec-2014 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P2043, P205C and/or P205D. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (FDIM) or an improper software configuration of the FDIM.
ENGINE
FORD: 2011-2014 F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A RUNNING ROUGH OR MISFIRE DURING EXHAUST REGENERATION PROCESS *CN
EQUIPMENT
FORD: MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC CODES: SUPER DUTY AND ECOLINE EQUIPPED WITH 6.8L ENGINES HAVING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATE AND UNABLE TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE *CN
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN. *TA
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.