The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford F-250 engine problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 13 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: 2011-2014 F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A RUNNING ROUGH OR MISFIRE DURING EXHAUST REGENERATION PROCESS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SOME MODEL VEHICLES MANUAL FOR POWERTRAIN CONTROL/EMISSION DIAGNOSTIC (PC/ED) HAS BEEN UPDATED REGARDING IMPROVED COOLING FAN CIRCUIT DUE TO A LACK OF AIR CONDITIONING, A MALFUNCTIONING INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND OVERHEATING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ON SOME TRUCKS, THE EXHAUST REDUCTANT SYSTEM OR THE NOX CONTROL MODULE WOULD EXPERIENCE VARIOUS MIL DTC'S RELATED TO GLOW PLUG CONTROL MODULE (GPCM), DUE TO LOOSE, MISSING, MODIFIED OR DAMAGED GROUND G400. NO MODELS LISTED. MODEL YEARS 2011-2013.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: DUE TO LOOSE, MISSING, MODIFIED OR DAMAGED GROUND G400, VARIOUS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) DTC'S, RELATED TO GLOW PLUG CONTROL MODULE (GPCM), MAY BE EXHIBIT ON SOME DIESEL EQUIPPED TRUCKS. MODEL YEARS 2011-2013. NO MODELS LISTED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report recurring issues across multiple engine systems in the 2013 F-250. The most dangerous problem: emissions system faults (DEF heater, NOX sensor, EGR cooler) trigger limp mode that cuts engine speed to 50 mph with no driver override. One owner nearly caused a multi-vehicle wreck when limp mode engaged on a highway at 75 mph, forcing a semi-truck to jackknife.
EGR coolers and EGR valves fail around 21,000 miles, get replaced under warranty, then fail again by 46,000 miles—owners cite $2,000 out-of-pocket repairs. Temperature sensors fail repeatedly, with one owner making seven dealership trips in three years. Radiators leak coolant at plastic seams before 50,000 miles, with repair costs over $1,700 after warranty expires around 36,000 miles.
Other reported failures include spark plugs blowing out of the head and falling into cylinders (requiring engine remanufacture), valve spring breakage at 78,000 miles, and exhaust fumes entering the cab during heating/AC use. Turbocharger boost pressure pegs and DPF regeneration cycles occur excessively. Owners report Ford is aware of radiator issues but refuses to issue recalls, and DEF heater coverage is inconsistent across model years under warranty programs.
Same Ford F-250 engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
DEF System & NOX Sensor Failures
Emissions system faults trigger limp mode with vehicle speed limited to 50 mph, creating safety hazards when speed reduction occurs on highways with traffic. NOX module and DEF heater assembly failures reported; limp mode can activate unexpectedly with no warning.
When: Reported as early as 1-22-15 and recurring; also 99,000 miles; within first year of ownership (July 2014 for new purchase Nov 2013)
Symptoms owners cite: Message center alert for emissions fault; Vehicle speed limitation to 50 mph activated; Check engine light illumination; Limp mode activation while driving; DEF heater assembly failure
Codes mentioned: 14E03 (Fuel System Calibration), NOX module fault (specific code not stated)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced NOX module and DEF heater assembly; limp mode triggered without owner control creates traffic hazard; DEF heater not covered under warranty for F250/F350 model years 2013-2015 under Customer Satisfaction Program 18M01
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 18M01 covers DEF heater only for 2011-2012 F250/F350, excluding 2013-2015; Ford overrides speed limitation for ambulances
EGR Cooler & EGR Valve Failures
EGR and EGR cooler assemblies fail prematurely and repeatedly, with owners reporting failures at very low mileage and recurrence shortly after warranty repair. Heating assembly failures also noted. Owners report limp mode activation and check engine light.
When: First failure at 21,000 miles; second failure at 46,000 miles (25k miles after warranty repair); another at 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light; Limp mode activation; Vehicle shutdown with dashboard message 'Stop Safely Now'; Heating assembly malfunction
Codes mentioned: P0401
Repairs/costs cited: EGR and EGR cooler replaced under warranty at 21,000 miles (3/22/16) and again at 46,000 miles out of warranty; owners cite $2,000 repair cost; parts reportedly last only about 20,000 miles before failure; heating assembly replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage applied for first failure; second failure at 46,000 miles fell outside warranty period
Radiator Leaks at Plastic Seams
Radiators develop leaks at plastic seams and drain petcock area before 50,000 miles, leaking coolant persistently wherever the truck is parked. Owners report this as a widespread design defect affecting many units; coolant pooling creates environmental concern.
When: Less than 50,000 miles; one at 44,000 miles (warranty expired at 36,000)
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leak at plastic seams; Leaking at drain petcock area; Persistent pooling of coolant where parked
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost cited as over $1,700; owners report radiator failure falls outside warranty coverage due to mileage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford reportedly aware of numerous complaints but refuses to acknowledge problem or enact permanent solution; no recall or campaign noted
Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Failures
Multiple exhaust gas temperature sensors fail repeatedly over the vehicle's life, with owners reporting at least seven shop visits for sensor issues. First occurrence within a year of new purchase; replacement sensors fail again within months.
When: Beginning July 28, 2014 (within one year of new purchase Nov 2013); recurring through July 2017 with at least seven service visits
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning 'Stop Safely Now'; Engine shutdown while driving; Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors replaced at dealership multiple times; one sensor replaced June 2017 failed again by July 2017
Spark Plug Failure with Internal Engine Damage
Spark plug assembly failure where plug blows out of cylinder head, with remaining portion falling into cylinder and causing internal damage to two cylinders. Required complete engine remanufacture.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Spark plug dislodgement from head; Internal cylinder damage; Engine loss of function
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer installed remanufactured engine; owner notes very expensive repair
Valve Spring Breakage
Valve spring fractured while driving on highway at relatively low mileage, indicating premature wear or defect in valve train assembly.
When: 78,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Valve spring breakage; Engine malfunction while highway driving
Exhaust Manifold Issues & Cabin Exhaust Fumes
Exhaust manifold problems introduce exhaust fumes into truck cab when heating or air conditioning is used, creating potential health/safety hazard. Owner reports concern about toxic exposure.
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust fumes entering cabin during HVAC operation; Noxious odor in cab when heat or AC running
Turbocharger & Excessive DPF Regeneration
Turbo gauge pegs (boost pressure reading at maximum) and excessive exhaust regeneration cycles (every 200 miles) occurring repeatedly. Owner reports these are ongoing unresolved issues.
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo gauge pegging; Excessive DPF regeneration cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes complaints 2 and 3 (turbo gauge and DPF regeneration) are repeated and remain unresolved by Ford
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.
Terrible exhaust fumes in the truck cab when using the heat or ac probably due to the extremely common exhaust manifold issues with these trucks. It could kill me and my child
Radiator failure due to poor design. Leaking at the plastic seams under drain petcock. Thousands if not hundreds of thousands of these units are failing years before they should. Some consumers spend 50k+ on these trucks and yet are forced to repair the leaking radiator at a substantial cost out of pocket after the warranty expires. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Ford F-250?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,000 and 99,000 miles, with the median around 49,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 99,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/F-250.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.