2013 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1,346about this part
- Share
- 45%of 2,994 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 1,346 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Ford F-150, 45% of the 2,994 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 25 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11758186, filed 2026-08, 200,159 miles“Vehicle will intermittently not shift . I can be driving normally and stop a light. When I accelerate, the vehicle will intermittently ot shift gears. This can happen on on-ramps, or anytime vehicle speed is reduced. The recall for this did not include the plant .y vehicle was manufactured, so I am on the hook for repairs should I decide to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #11415697, filed 2021-05, 119,000 miles“Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear while in motion, speed ometer and mileage goes to zero, rpms starts to run high, and the tool light on the dash board comes on, in city streets and on highway driving. I have to stop and shut down the vehicle and wait a few minutes. When I start up the vehicle and put it in drive gear the transmission jerks.”
NHTSA complaint #11306713, filed 2020-02, 13,447 miles“While traveling at a speed of 80 MPH on a major highway, the vehicle stalled due to the malfunction of the lead frame conductor/valve body which is a recalled part. With the help of a truck driver that saw me swerve due to the downshift, I was able to pull over. I had my two daughters (ages 8 & 4) in the vehicle with me.”
NHTSA complaint #11413304, filed 2021-04, 158,000 miles“I was driving down the road and my truck all of a sudden shifted down into 1st gear and became stuck. Had to stop the vehicle and turn it off. Started driving again and it did the exact same thing within 5 minutes. No lights came on or anything. Has done it for 3 days. I can drive in manual mode but it still has trouble wanting to shift but again no lights coming on.”
NHTSA complaint #11318674, filed 2020-03, 128,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V433000Jun 10, 2019Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-150 2013
- 19V075000Feb 11, 2019Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2013
Related service bulletins
- 10214754Jun 21, 2022Some 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…
- 10201087Aug 17, 2021This 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…
- 10189784Mar 18, 2021Some 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)…
- 10183669Nov 12, 2020Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In…
- 10181915Oct 16, 2020Some 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)…
- 10164426Aug 26, 2019Some 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…
- 10162411Jun 25, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission…
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10159510Apr 4, 2019Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 322 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 741 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,019 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford F-150
548 complaintsBrakes
363 complaintsElectrical system
324 complaintsVehicle speed control
304 complaintsOther or unknown
229 complaintsSteering
216 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
190 complaintsFuel system
159 complaintsBody and structure
48 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsWheels
39 complaintsElectronic stability control
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology