Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 21 safety complaints
about the 2013 Ford F-250 SD with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash and no death is recorded. No recall campaign has been matched to this year, make and model.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 7 complaints, 33% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 42,000 miles,
the median across the 17
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers March 2014 to March 2020 · How this is counted
What is on file
21 complaints on file
21
Complaints
1
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
0
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not
the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production
ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 7 · 33%
7 33%
SUSPENSION 5 · 24%
5 24%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 14%
3 14%
STEERING 3 · 14%
3 14%
AIR BAGS 2 · 10%
2 10%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 2 · 10%
2 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 10%
2 10%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 10%
2 10%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 5%
1 5%
EQUIPMENT 1 · 5%
1 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 5%
1 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 5%
1 5%
048
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 21.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2016 at 6.
8 6 4 2
142014152015162016172017182018192019202020
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2020.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Ford F-250 SD. Its New Car Assessment Program
tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach
motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so
an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It
is not a low score.
What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a
different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people
inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke
during ordinary use.
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
RQ14005
Closed recall query · opened January 13, 2015 · closed March 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000
the electrical system, the engine, the engine and its cooling
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
crash · 11,750 miles
I WAS DRIVING DOWN FM 624 WHEN I CAME UP TO AN 18 WHEELER THAT WAS COMING TO A STOP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, THE PEDAL WAS SOLID LIKE I HAD BRAKES BUT THE TRUCK DIDN'T RESPOND. I HIT THE BACK OF THE SEMI AT ABOUT 40MPH AND TORE THE FRONT END OFF MY TRUCK AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. FORD SAID THAT THERE WAS A TRACTION CONTROL CODE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THAT DID NOT AFFECT THE STOPPING AND EVEN THOU THE FRONT BUMPER MOVED DURING THE IMPACT IT DIDN'T TAKE A DIRECT HIT SO THAT'S WHY THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. THERE IS ENOUGH DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK THAT EVERYTHING FROM THE WINDSHIELD FORWARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE FRONT BUMPER. THE STATE TROOPER WHO …
NHTSA complaint 10639476, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
259,000 miles
I AM EXPERIENCING WHAT IS CALLED THE FORD DEATH WOBBLE. HITTING A ROUGH SPOT, OR A TAR LINE WILL CAUSE VIOLENT STEERING WOBBLE.MUST SLOW DOWN BELOW 40 MPH TO STOP THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint 11318381. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SUSPENSION
10,500 miles
MY VEHICLE HAS 'EXPERIENCED THE 'F250 DEATH WOBBLE' ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND IT IS A SCARY FEELING WHEN IT HAPPENS. TH DEATH WOBBLE USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ANY YOU HIT A ROUGH PATCH OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. DURING THE 'DEATH WOBBLE THE TRUCK BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION GETS LIGHT AND IT IS HARD TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE . FOR THESE REASONS, I REFUSE TO ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK. SEEING HOW THIS IS A COMMON HOT BUTTON ISSUE ON THE F250 FORUM, I AM SURPRISED THAT FORD HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND TO FIX THESE KNOWN ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE ' F250 …
NHTSA complaint 11233532, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
46,000 miles
EGR AND EGR COOLER FAILED AT 21,000 MILES. DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY 3/22/16. SAME PARTS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AT 46,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THE WEB SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON REPEAT FAILURE FOR THE 6.7 DIESEL AND COSTS $2,000 FOR REPAIR. ENGINE TROUBLE CODE IS P0401. THE PARTS OR DESIGN MUST BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY ONLY LAST FOR ABOUT 20,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint 11231590. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
140,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-250 SD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEATING ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint 11153722. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SUSPENSION
2013 FORD S.D 4X4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHAKING AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE. *LD *JS
NHTSA complaint 11100988. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FROM THE INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (IMPERIAL FORD, 8 UXBRIDGE RD, MENDON, MA 01756, 1-(888) 814-8373) WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE STATED THAT IT WAS STANDARD FOR THE INDICATOR TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A FALURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 11063795. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, no campaign on file for this vehicle.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst