“The truck randomly hard downshifts and the gauges stop working and it wont shift back out of third gear. I can stop the truck and shut it off and when I turn it back on it still will be in third gear. If I turn it to manual sometimes I can get it to go down to second but it is a hard shift and then will hard shift back into third and stay.”
Owner complaint, filed Oct 13, 2026
“My truck is shifting erratically going from 5/6th gear down to 1st/2nd. It looses power. My battery light comes on, the wrench comes on, check engine light comes on but no codes come up. I have already put in a new transmission at my cost.”
Owner complaint, filed Oct 6, 2026
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)NHTSA investigation opened
Complaints about the 2013 F-150 peaked in 2019, with 474 filed that year. Owners had filed 305 complaints about the transmission before the first recall that covers it, 19V075000 in February 2019; 842 more have come in since. In 2026 owners filed 132 so far.
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)19V433000
Filed Jun 10, 2019107,857 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)19V075000
Filed Feb 11, 20191,263,051 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
Filed May 24, 2016225,012 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 3 name the 2013 F-150.
Opened Dec 25, 2017Closed Oct 22, 2019Led to recall 19V075000transmission
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident …
Opened Feb 29, 2016Closed Jul 26, 2016Led to recall 16V345000brakes
On May 23, 2016, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a master cylinder defect that could result in loss of the front brake circuit in approximately 225,012 model year 2013 through 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter GTDI engines and built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 22, 2014; and the Kansas City Assembly Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 (NHTSA Recall #16V-345, Ford Recall #16S24).Ford indicated that the rearmost cup seal in the brake master cylinder may roll, resulting in …
Reduced power during hard accelerationPreliminary evaluation PE13018Closed
Opened May 22, 2013Closed Apr 7, 2014engine
On May 22, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-018 to investigate 95 complaints alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford F-150 trucks.ODI was aware of three technical service bulletins (TSBs) issued by Ford for a condition that was related to moisture accumulation in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) for the turbochargers.A Preliminary Evaluation was opened to gather information to assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety related defect.The subject vehicles are powered by Ford?s 3.5L EcoBoost …
Technical service bulletins
141 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2013 F-150. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
engine 33transmission 26equipment 22electrical system 16body and frame 6equipment adaptive/mobility 6visibility 6suspension 6
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
19N01-S1Service campaignJun 25, 2019transmission
Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
CSP-12M02Warranty extensionJan 14, 2013equipment
FORD/LINCOLN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR COVERING ACCESSORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. MODELS 2011-2013 EDGE, EXPLORER, MKX, FOCUS, ESCAPE, FLEX, FUSION, TAURUS, MKS, MKT, MKZ, F-150, F-SUPER DUTY. *PE
Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram …
Some 2013-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with electronic shift on-the-fly (ESOF) 4-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. ESOF can be identified as it does not have a 4WD AUTO (4A) position on the mode selector switch (MSS). This may be due to a loss of vacuum to …
Some 2013-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with Electronic Shift On-The-Fly (ESOF) 4-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, …
Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with four wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in two wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, follow the …
Showing the newest 6 of 26 bulletins about the transmission, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Oct 28, 2026NH
The recall on 2014 ford f150 VIN [XXX] had a recall in 2020 that was supposedly fixed with a software update the recall was Powertrain / Transmission (NHTSA ID: 24V444000 / Ford Campaign 24S37): Loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, potentially leading to rear-wheel lockup or loss of control. A follow-up software update campaign also addresses incomplete or repeat fixes. at that time truck had about 109,000 miles on it and now it has 210,000 miles on it and doing the same thing and I know they put another recall out in 2024 i think because the software update did not fix the problem it was only a band aid. This is a documented systemic issue not just an isolated component failure. this vehicle was manufactured at the [XXX] plant and was part of the first recall but they are telling us now its not part of the newest 2024 group our VIN is not included and we have to pay for the lead frame and the OSS and another PCM software update. I was told there is already that ford acknowledged the root cause of the recall was the 2 things I am being told I have to replace and it is from the recall our truck was part of but then tell me The Vin is not in the 2024 recall is there anything I can do. The Query was closed on it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power Train
Filed Oct 27, 202665,000 milesTN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. While the contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and remained stuck in first or second gear. In addition, the engine revved while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and the speedometer was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission lead frame failure. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty extension associated with the failure had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 23, 2026HI
My 2013 Ford F-150 is experiencing the dangerous failure associated with NHTSA Safety Recall 19S07. While driving, the transmission abruptly and unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear at speed. This causes sudden, violent deceleration equivalent to a severe rear-end collision, creating an extreme safety hazard and loss of vehicle control. To protect public safety, the vehicle is parked at my residence. On October 23, 2026, I contacted the local authorized Ford service dealership. The service department refused to provide or cover loaner/rental transportation while performing this recall repair, stated that neither Ford Motor Company nor the dealership would cover towing for an un-driveable vehicle affected by a factory safety recall, and warned that I would face out-of-pocket fees for additional diagnostic reports if the recall software reflash does not clear the transmission fault. Requiring a consumer to operate a dangerously defective vehicle or bear out-of-pocket expenses for towing, rentals, and diagnostics to resolve an active safety recall directly conflicts with federal safety recall mandates and public safety objectives.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 21, 2026MO
Was Driving my truck on the highway, when it slammed into 1st gear on its own, was going about 65 MPH and almost lost control of the vehicle. I have taken it immediately to a FORD dealership for repairs, and they are saying that they are unable to replicate what happened. At the time it showed a Wrench Icon and check engine light, and I am certain that this is from a Molded Lead Frame Failure issue. I did have mine reprogramed by the dealership service center a few years back due to recall, but I think this just pushed the problem down the road, and did not actually fix the ACTUAL problem causing the safety issue. People are going to lose lives over this issue, and it seems FORD is trying to bypass having to actually FIX the problem.
Power Train
Filed Oct 20, 2026IN
While I'm driving and say I speed up or accelerate it feels like sometimes down shifts and then starts to go normal
Power Train
Filed Oct 13, 2026IN
The truck randomly hard downshifts and the gauges stop working and it wont shift back out of third gear. I can stop the truck and shut it off and when I turn it back on it still will be in third gear. If I turn it to manual sometimes I can get it to go down to second but it is a hard shift and then will hard shift back into third and stay. A wrench light comes on and sometimes I will get a check engine light that reads when scanned "output shaft speed sensor circuit." It has been doing this sporadically for over a year since my recall was fixed.
Power Train
Filed Oct 9, 2026MO
Truck will not shift into the correct gears when driving, would jump from 1st to a higher gear, it would shift weird and would lose the dash gauges when the truck was shifting.
Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2026GA
I am submitting this complaint because my 2013 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost developed a serious and potentially life-threatening engine defect that placed me and my family in immediate danger. While traveling on a major interstate/highway, the engine warning light and wrench light illuminated, and the truck subsequently lost power and stalled while I was driving. This occurred in active highway traffic, creating an extremely dangerous situation. My family and I were almost killed because the vehicle unexpectedly lost propulsion while we were traveling at highway speed and surrounded by other vehicles. The defect is especially hazardous because the failure can occur without providing a safe opportunity to move the vehicle out of traffic. An unexpected engine shutdown on a major interstate can leave the vehicle disabled in an active travel lane or in an unsafe location, exposing the occupants to a high risk of being struck by another vehicle. The loss of engine power also compromises the driver's ability to accelerate away from dangerous traffic situations. The condition is consistent with the **timing-component degradation and engine performance/stalling concerns described in Ford's technical-service information, including TSB 18-2305**, concerning the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The timing components can deteriorate to the point that the engine experiences serious drivability problems and may stall. In my case, this was not merely a warning light or minor mechanical issue—the vehicle a
Power Train
Filed Oct 6, 2026OH
My truck is shifting erratically going from 5/6th gear down to 1st/2nd. It looses power. My battery light comes on, the wrench comes on, check engine light comes on but no codes come up. I have already put in a new transmission at my cost.
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 6, 2026TX
Vehicle Information: 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 3.5L V6 EcoBoost (VIN: [XXX]) While operating the vehicle, experienced a severe and sudden degradation of brake hydraulic pressure. The brake pedal travels abnormally deep and requires the driver to "double-pump" (fully let off the brake pedal and re-press it a second time) to achieve enough line pressure to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle began violently jerking and resisting movement because the brake calipers failed to release, holding the vehicle back until a heavy secondary press of the pedal forced the system to recede. Safety Risk & Background: This behavior matches the exact mechanical failure profile of Ford Safety Recall 16S24 and Recall 20S31 (internal failure of the brake master cylinder rear cup seal leaking corrosive fluid directly into the vacuum brake booster). I am the original owner of this vehicle from new. My exact VIN is currently excluded from the official recall database due to an early 2013 manufacture date boundary. However, the vehicle is suffering from the identical catastrophic failure of the identical under-recalled factory braking component, resulting in extreme deceleration failure and unintended brake lockup while moving. This constitutes an immediate crash hazard to my teenage driver that is currently operating this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power Train
Filed Oct 5, 2026126,149 milesOK
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission downshifted into first gear. The service vehicle soon warning light was illuminated and the vehicle was restarted and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (POWER TRAIN); as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 126,149.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 1, 2026FL
Was driving on the interstate and the speedometer stopped working, the truck shifted to first gear and entered limp home mode. This is a know issue with the lead frame and even though I only have 95k miles on the truck, ford only offered a 10 year extended warranty CSP 19N01 to cover it which has expired on time. This is a known issue and could have caused an accident on the interstate. This issue should be scheduled as a recall rather than an extended warranty that can expire. So because we do not drive the truck that often we are now being forced to pay for a known issue that Ford is aware of.
Power Train
Filed Sep 29, 2026VA
Sudden downshift while driving. Speedometer goes to zero while driving. Safety is high risk. Warning lights yes. No inspection yet. Happened twice in the last week
Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 2026162,395 milesOH
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission violently downshifted, causing the rear wheels to lose traction and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle. The lead frame failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0720-00 (OSS Circuit Malfunction), P0722-00 (OSS Circuit No Signal), and P1500-00 (VSS Intermittent Failure) were retrieved. The mechanic confirmed that the molded lead frame inside the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced; the transmission needed to be serviced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train); however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer declined to file a complaint or offer financial assistance. The failure mileage was 162,395.
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 2026WY
Driver side brake hose failure at upper crimp on the hose caused loss of brake fluid and spongy peddle
Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2026SC
Known issues with design and life expectancy of the exhaust manifolds and bolts thousands of owners are replacing manifolds due to warping and shearing of bolts when exhaust overheats. I’m currently getting quotes to replace due to failure on a gently used truck. Failure happened during a highway trip of a couple hundred miles under no additional load.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 28, 2026MS
I have a 2013 Ford 150 King Ranch 4X4 with the 6R80 transmission and approximately 125k miles on it. This morning, I was stopped at a red light and upon accelerating my truck would not shift out of first gear. The speedometer stopped working, and engine light came on. I pulled over and turned off the truck to inspect it. I restarted the truck and it was shifting appropriately for about 5 miles when it all of a sudden shifted into first gear while I was driving approximately 35-40mph, nearly causing an accident until I could safely pull over. I researched symptoms and found information regarding the molded lead frame on the 2013 model f150s. I understand Ford warranty coverage was limited to 10 years, but I believe Ford should continue to honor this known defect in there vehicle. This is a serious safety concern. If it would have been raining, or icy weather, it could have caused a serious accident and/or death to myself or others. Ford is aware of these issues, and yet owners are still responsible for their defective parts after warranty expires. I believe the manufacturer has an obligation to address this known problem. I am requesting Ford review my vehicle and this failure as a safety-related defect and provide assistance with the repair, as well as covering the cost of repair in full. At minimum, I am requesting Ford provide reimbursement based on the known history of the component and the potential safety consequences of its failure.
Power Train
Filed Aug 27, 2026MN
I have experienced several downshifts at high speed to low gear while driving. This defect can cause sudden downshifts at highway speeds, creating a serious risk of loss of control, skidding, or collision. The vehicle experiences sudden downshifts, wrench‑light warnings, and loss of power, which matches the defect described in recall 19S07. I contacted both a local dealer and the regional Ford representatives, Ford marked the recall as completed, but the repair was either not performed or performed without resolution and the defect symptoms continue.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2026AZ
In 2019, vehicle had a recall for output speed sensor in the transmission. Initial Ford dealership in Indiana (Don Hinds), reprogrammed. They did not test drive vehicle or follow additional instruction to replace the molded leadframe. Vehicle has continued to demonstrate OSS sensor failure. Every time we drive it, the vehicle downshifts from 6th gear to 1st gear with malfunction indicator light and wrench light coming on. Spoke with Don Hinds Ford and they agree this needs to be covered by Ford. They contacted ford Recall number repeatedly. I contacted them repeatedly starting in April. I was told to take my vehicle to a Ford dealership in Arizona (where I currently live) - Sanderson Ford. They ran the codes and agreed the molded leadframe needs to be replaced. They and I have contacted Ford Customer Assistance Center multiple times. Initially, they stated only one call to them, but the individual, Lisa, hung up on me and closed the file. I have been calling every week since May 12th and have never been told the case was closed until August 19th when I was told case was closed and they would open a new case. They have not communicated with Sanderson Ford or myself since that time. The vehicle is unsafe to drive, it is my mode of transportation and is currently sitting at Sanderson Ford. Ford corporate is not responding to any communciation from myself or the dealership. The truck issue is putting myself and other drivers at risk because the vehicle cannot be controlled when t
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 20, 2026200,159 milesNE
I was driving on interstate approximatly 70 mph when it downshifted into second gear and and almost got rearended by a semi truck that was following behind my truck and luckily was able to swerve to miss hitting us. I Believe it is the 6r80 transmission conductor plate that is the cause of the issue
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 18, 202632,145 milesNC
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake light warning light illuminated, and while depressing brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The transmission was shifted to a lower gear, and the hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was slowly driven to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the brake booster was contaminated with brake fluid, and that the brake master cylinder piston had a tear in the piston seal, and the brake master cylinder and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with Manufacturer Recall Number: 16F24. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 32,145.
Power Train
Filed Aug 18, 2026NV
Lead Frame failure. 19N01 recall. When the failure occurred I was on I-80 driving at 78 mph. The vehicle suddenly down shifted causing my speed to drop to a dangerous speed. I had to exit the roadway immediately to avoid being rear ended or worse. I never received a recall letter from Ford.
Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 2026AZ
Despite NHTSA and Ford stating the "recall" has been fixed on my 2013 Ford F150, my truck still performs the exact symptoms of a Transmission molded leadframe failure. Not only my safety, but the safety of others was put as risk when my truck suddenly downshifted into what appeared to first gear, while traveling on the road, with no indication. I lost power and was no longer able to move at the speed of traffic. Had this happened at highway speed I would have almost certainly lost traction and could have crashed. I was sitll forced to take evasive action and move to the side of the road, where my truck would not shift out of first gear until after a full restart. No warning lights, lamps, or other messages were displayed before or after the incident.
Power Train
Filed Aug 13, 2026160,000 milesMI
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and remained stuck in first gear. The contact was able to drive to a residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a transmission recall associated with the failure was completed. Additionally, the contact was informed that the leadframe needed to be replaced; however, the repair was not covered under Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 19N01 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage) because the coverage had expired a week prior to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle later remained stuck in first gear and failed to exceed 20 MPH, with the powertrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2026GA
Brake master cylinder failed at only 98000 miles
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2026TN
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.
Back Over Prevention › Warnings
Filed Aug 2, 2026GA
When backing up in reverse the parking camera goes black and this is a safety issue. It happens multiple times.
Power Train
Filed Jul 21, 2026FL
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 t
Power Train
Filed Jul 21, 2026195,000 milesTX
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.
Power Train1 injured
Filed Jul 20, 2026157,000 milesMS
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.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2026WI
Sudden and catastrophic master cylinder failure. Complete loss of brakes at speed
Power Train
Filed Jul 15, 2026MD
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)
Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 2026GA
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.
Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 2026NH
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.
Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 2026IL
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.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2026MI
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.
Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2026OH
"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 "
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2026AL
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
Power Train
Filed Jul 7, 2026SC
Unknown
Power TrainFire
Filed Jul 2, 2026NM
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.
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2026OH
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 reque
Power Train
Filed Jul 1, 2026FL
In reference to report filed already. Complaint: 1174738. Had problems importing some worksheets from Manufacturer acknowledging problem with truck and safety issues.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 1, 2026TX
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!
Power Train
Filed Jun 30, 2026FL
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.
Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2026PA
Vehicle downshifts when driving similar to current recall on 2015-2017 Ford F-150. Repaired at a cost of $1,650.
Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2026VA
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 thei
Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2026CA
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 decelerati
Steering
Filed Jun 24, 2026KY
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…
Power Train
Filed Jun 24, 2026141,000 milesWI
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.
Power Train
Filed Jun 23, 2026VA
While I was driving down the road and while I was driving through a parking lot, my transmission downshifted without me touching the gearshift. I almost hit a car in the parking lot when it happened and I had to slam my brakes when I was on a main road. Had I been going at a faster speed or in a more busy location I could have easily lost control and hit something or been hit. I never saw any warning lights come on, and there were no indicators that this was about to happen. After my truck did that, it wouldn't start the following morning, and it still hasn't started. My truck was towed to an independent service center and they diagnosed it as the molded leadframe needed replaced. I looked it up and Ford currently has this repair listed under their Customer Satisfaction Program campaign 19N01, but my truck is out of that vehicle mileage and time range. From doing basic research, I've seen that this is a very common problem with these F150s. The vehicle has been inspected by myself and the independent service center, but is available for inspection upon request.
Complaints 1-50 of 2,994, newest first, reproduced as filed.
Going by the federal record, it is one of the F-150 years to avoid: owners filed 2,994 complaints, 3.6 times as many as a typical F-150 year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (38%).
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford F-150?
The transmission: 1,147 of the 2,994 complaints (38%) are about it. Owners most often say it sets off warning lights on the dash (27%), loses power (11%) and turns on the check engine light (11%). The typical report comes at 97,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jun 10, 2019. The largest, 19V075000, covered 1,263,051 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 74,281 miles. For the transmission the midpoint is 97,000 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 2013 Ford F-150?
Yes, 3 times. The latest, RQ17010 ("Unexpected Transmission Downshift"), was opened Dec 25, 2017 and closed Oct 22, 2019.
Are there service bulletins for the 2013 Ford F-150?
The manufacturer filed 141 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the engine (33), the transmission (26) and the electrical system (16). They include a warranty extension, 19N01-S4, filed Aug 17, 2021. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
4 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 10, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.