CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2013 Ford F-350 SD

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 9 safety complaints about the 2013 Ford F-350 SD with the US government. Of those, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 9 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the power train and equipment.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 2 complaints, 22% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 26,000 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2014 to June 2023 · How this is counted

What is on file

9 complaints on file

9

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

1

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.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 2 · 22%
STEERING 2 · 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 11%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 11%
STRUCTURE 1 · 11%
SUSPENSION 1 · 11%
TIRES 1 · 11%
VISIBILITY 1 · 11%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 · 11%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 9.

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 2017 at 2.

4 3 2 1
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 23

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2023.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Ford F-350 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.

Recall campaigns

9 on file

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

15V175000 · March 25, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
The risk
Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

Ford Motor Company · up to 6,322 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V453000 · July 24, 2014

The defect
Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Godwin) is recalling certain model year 2010 Ford F-450; 2011 Ford F-550; 2012 Ford F-350 and 2013 F-350 Super Duty trucks modified by Godwin and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Godwin will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Godwin customer service at 1-800-892-0181.

Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. · up to 6 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V360000 · June 23, 2014

The defect
Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Palfleet will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.

Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V328000 · June 13, 2014

The defect
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. · up to 21 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V326000 · June 13, 2014

The defect
Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Manning and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Manning will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. This action is the same as the service campaign action. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Manning at 1-800-876-8768.

Manning Equipment Inc. LLC · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V327000 · June 12, 2014

The defect
Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.

Stahl · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V382000 · June 10, 2014

The defect
Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Somerset will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.

SOMERSET WELDING & STEEL, INC. · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V379000 · June 10, 2014

The defect
Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Utility Truck will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.

Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC · up to 16 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V307000 · June 4, 2014

The defect
Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy
Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.

Tactical Vehicle Outfitters · up to 19 vehicles across all model years covered

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.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 injured · 27,500 miles

SUNROOF EXPLODED SITTING STILL SHOWERING EVERYONE WITH GLASS, SOME GLASS GOT IN OCCUPANT FACE AND EYES

NHTSA complaint 10816612. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

25,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

142,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

27,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11110779, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

21,320 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES

6,100 miles

TIRE SEPARATION. 4 OF 5 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN LTX M'S2 225/75 R16 TIRES HAVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint 10978654. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-350 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 7 5 —
2025 14 6 —
2024 44 3 —
2023 41 15 —
2022 111 17 —
2021 96 14 —
2020 188 15 —
2019 467 11 —
2018 201 9 —
2017 573 13 —
2016 209 3 —
2015 208 3 —
2012 29 9 —
2011 43 7 —
2010 50 6 —

Other 2013 Ford models

F-150 2,982 Escape 2,750 Edge 2,445 Explorer 2,235 Focus 2,112 Fusion 1,791 Fiesta 667 Taurus 584

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

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.

Where these numbers come from

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.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst