Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2013 Ford F-350 SD with NHTSA between 2014 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 23 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 3
Against the median year of the Ford F-350 SD. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
70% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 Ford F-350 SD
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
216.7%
Median failure at 27,250 miles
Steering
216.7%
Median failure at 83,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Median failure at 500 miles
Tires
18.3%
Median failure at 6,100 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Suspension
18.3%
Median failure at 142,000 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Median failure at 21,320 miles
Brakes
18.3%
Median failure at 54,000 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 27,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
110.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
110.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
440.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2014peak 2Jun 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Ford F-350 SD
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ14005Opened 13 Jan 2015Closed 15 Mar 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 equippe...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 27,500 milesPalm City, FL1 injured
VISIBILITY/WIPER
SUNROOF EXPLODED SITTING STILL SHOWERING EVERYONE WITH GLASS, SOME GLASS GOT IN OCCUPANT FACE AND EYES
NHTSA complaint #10816612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Huntington, AR
ENGINE
Cp4 pump failure resulting in stalled engine and loss of power brakes and power steering. Lifter failure resulting in loss of power and check engine light illuminating
NHTSA complaint #11525000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, AR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Cp4 pump failure resulting in stalled engine and loss of power brakes and power steering. Lifter failure resulting in loss of power and check engine light illuminating
NHTSA complaint #11525000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesBrownstown, MI
STEERING
WHEN MY TRUCK HITS A BUMP AT 40-60MPH, MY TRUCK BEGINS TO GO INTO A DEATH WOBBLE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRED SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SPENT A TON OF MONEY TRYING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO FIX IT WITH NO RESOLVE. I HAVE A VIDEO TO SEND YOU BUT THIS WEBSITE ONLY ACCEPTS PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11316764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesKansas City, KS
STEERING
STILL HAVING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE AFTER SPENDING $1K AT THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. NOT EVEN 3000 MILES LATER IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT THAN BEFORE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH AND AFTER HITTING A BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT I NEARLY LOST CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11210189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesKansas City, KS
SUSPENSION
STILL HAVING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE AFTER SPENDING $1K AT THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. NOT EVEN 3000 MILES LATER IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT THAN BEFORE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH AND AFTER HITTING A BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT I NEARLY LOST CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11210189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesMT Vernon, NH
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN IT WAS ADJUSTED USING THE CONTROL BUTTONS. THE DEALER (TOWNSEND SALES & SERVICE, 340 MAIN ST, TOWNSEND, MA 01469, (978) 597-8955) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING, BUT THEY FAILED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY SERVICED THE MIRROR UNDER A WARRANTY, BUT PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF WHAT WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #11110779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesMT Vernon, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN IT WAS ADJUSTED USING THE CONTROL BUTTONS. THE DEALER (TOWNSEND SALES & SERVICE, 340 MAIN ST, TOWNSEND, MA 01469, (978) 597-8955) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING, BUT THEY FAILED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY SERVICED THE MIRROR UNDER A WARRANTY, BUT PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF WHAT WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #11110779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,320 milesMyrtle Beach, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY
TRAVELING, APPROX. 70 MPH ON I-20 JUST WEST OF CAMDEN S.C. FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING OF THE TRUCK. HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY THE DRIVER REAR SUDDENLY DROP, LOOKING IN THE SIDE MIRROR, SAW THE TIRE COMING APART. PULLED TO THE CENTER MEDIAN, THE SIDE, AND BED HEAVILY DAMAGED. TIRE HAD COME APART LIKE A RETREAD, WHICH IT WASN'T. BFGOODRICH LT305/65/R17, DOT BE09 MANUFACTURE 1312
NHTSA complaint #10983673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,100 milesHolly Hill, FL
TIRES
TIRE SEPARATION. 4 OF 5 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN LTX M'S2 225/75 R16 TIRES HAVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10978654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
NOTICED ODD SMELL AT APPROX 50K MILES. THOUGHT IT WAS BURNED OIL. SERVICED AT FORD DEALER - BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CALIPER AND PADS. AFTER SERVICING, BRAKE FLUID SMELL CONTINUED. SERVICED AGAIN AT APPROX 56K MILES - BRAKE LINE LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10840421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,500 milesPalm City, FL1 injured
VISIBILITY/WIPER
SUNROOF EXPLODED SITTING STILL SHOWERING EVERYONE WITH GLASS, SOME GLASS GOT IN OCCUPANT FACE AND EYES
NHTSA complaint #10816612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesGlobe, AZ
ENGINE
1. SEVERE ENGINE RATTLE AND THEN SEVERE SHAKING OF ENTIRE TRUCK DUE TO EXHAUST REGENERATIVE SYSTEM. TRUCK BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL ON HIGHWAY AND PRESENTS DANGER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. FIRST INCIDENT WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR; SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IN ORDER FOR THE EXHAUST REGENERATIVE SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY WE HAD TO WATCH FOR THE "CLEANING EXHAUST SYSTEM" MESSAGE TO APPEAR (WHICH ONLY FLASHES ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AND REQUIRES EYES OFF THE ROAD) AND THEN DRIVE AN ADDITIONAL 20 MILES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH FOR THE REGENERATION SYSTEM TO COMPLETE. UNACCEPTABLE WHEN LIVING IN AN AREA WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH AND THERE IS ONLY A DISTANCE LESS THAN 10 MILES FROM ONE END OF OUR TOWN TO THE OTHER. IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE ARE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND THE MESSAGE COMES ON, WE ARE TO NOT STOP THE TRUCK AND DRIVE IT FOR AN ADDITIONAL 20 MILES AT 50 OR MORE MPH TO COMPLETE THE CYCLE. VIDEO OF ONE INCIDENT OF THE SEVERE SHAKING IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. 2. HARD WASHBOARD BOUNCING EFFECT WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. WENT TO THE PERSONAL EXPENSE OF RULING OUT TIRE ISSUE. CANNOT MAINTAIN VEHICLE AT 45 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10587892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.