Ford E-150 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 19 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Ford E-150? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 104,681 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 66,750 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Ford E-150
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
12-25-2016 after drooping off maid and gardener here in huatulco mexico my power steering quit. Since going so slow down hill on village street I thought that motor had quit. Realized that motor was running. Then noticed dash warning that said hill descent control fault, power…
Transmission failure at 110,000 miles, known issue that was covered under Ford technical service bulletin tsb 13-4-23, for my other Ford e150 2012 econoline van VIN# [xxx], the same transmission failure on both vehicles one was covered the 2013 is not, but same failure mode. I…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford e-150. While driving 65 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 108,000.
I opened the sun/moon roof and it would not close and after a couple of attempts it stuck in the full open position. The Ford dealer said that two pins or brackets or clips had broken off the track mechanism that the sun/moon roof slides when opening or closing. The vehicle was…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Ford E-150 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford E-150 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Ford E-150?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Ford E-150 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Ford E-150?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,681 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Ford E-150 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 19 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 104,681 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford E-150?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,681 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 104,681 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford E-150 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Ford E-150?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 19 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.