1,346 of the 3,950 complaints about the 2013 Ford F-150 are about the transmission — 34% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 94,350 miles.
1,346
Complaints
25
Crashes
4
Fires
25
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11757738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11757504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11756655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11751768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11751897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11751562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11750518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11750207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11750257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11750291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
"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 complaint #11749863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11748867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11748070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11747623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
In reference to report filed already. Complaint: 1174738. Had problems importing some worksheets from Manufacturer acknowledging problem with truck and safety issues.
NHTSA complaint #11747736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11747438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle downshifts when driving similar to current recall on 2015-2017 Ford F-150. Repaired at a cost of $1,650.
NHTSA complaint #11746881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11746911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11746952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11746248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11745938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2013 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX]) suffered a catastrophic rear-wheel lockup while traveling at highway speeds, mimicking a sudden, unprompted hard braking event. The vehicle's speedometer dropped to zero and the dashboard went blank. A certified Ford dealership has just scanned the vehicle and pulled Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0722, confirming an Output Shaft Speed sensor/molded leadframe failure under Ford TSB 16-0008. Federal records confirm there are 0 unrepaired recalls on this VIN because Safety Recall 19S07 (NHTSA Campaign 19V-075) was completed two months ago. The software-only recall remedy completely failed to prevent this life-threatening transmission lockup. Ford Corporate (Case #[XXX]) and the dealership are refusing to replace the defective hardware due to mileage, despite the fact that a federally mandated safety recall remedy failed to secure the vehicle. "Safety Recall 19S07 was completed by an authorized Ford dealer two months ago, but following today's highway lockup incident, a different, separate Ford dealership officially scanned the vehicle and retrieved Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0722, confirming a complete recall remedy failure." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11745728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth gear to third gear. The check engine and powertrain malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that dealer was contacted to schedule a diagnostic test. The contact stated that VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11744854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted and experienced a loss of acceleration. The contact stated that manual shifting or pulling over to shut off and restart the vehicle was required for normal operation to resume. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 26V237000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11743551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Truck is experiencing sudden downshifting with loss of acceleration, and the speed odometer & MPG will both drop to zero. Recall #19S07 was issued in 2019 for Ford Motor Co. for this reason, but NHTSA site is showing that my truck is not covered under the recall (based on vehicle VIN), even though it is now experiencing the issue described. This is a major safety issue. Issue began occurring approx. six months ago, and happens about once weekly.
NHTSA complaint #11742358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I was driving into town where the speed limit dropped from 60 to 30 so I tapped my brakes and the transmission slammed into low gear and the rpm's went up. Almost sounds like recall 19V075 for other ford vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11741738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11741741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently downshifted. The power train warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the power train warning light illuminated, the fuel gauge, the odometer and the speed limit indicators were disabled. In addition, the contact stated that when the transmission shifted to fifth gear, it did not downshift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed OSS sensor and a failing lead frame. The contact was informed that the OSS sensor and the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:OUTPUT
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently downshifted. The power train warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the power train warning light illuminated, the fuel gauge, the odometer and the speed limit indicators were disabled. In addition, the contact stated that when the transmission shifted to fifth gear, it did not downshift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed OSS sensor and a failing lead frame. The contact was informed that the OSS sensor and the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.