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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-FORD-F-350 NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Ford

Ford F-350 problems

85 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 F-350?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

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.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
32 reports · fails ~94,843 mi · avg $700
severe
engine
15 reports · fails ~69,040 mi · avg $3,100
severe
suspension
14 reports · fails ~105,186 mi · avg $900
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~42,667 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
body
3 reports · fails ~54,160 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 F-350's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 F-350?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 F-350 · visibility Injury
Sunroof exploded sitting still showering everyone with glass, some glass got in occupant face and eyes
12/28/2015 · at 27,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816612.0
2013 F-350 · steering
The truck vibrates uncontrollably when driving on the freeway at speeds between 65-75mph. This typically occurs when the truck hits a bump when driving in this speed range. Doing a google search and reviewing videos of this issue reveals a pheonomea referred to as 'death…
2013 F-350 · steering
Was driving at 55mph and suddenly truck went into a terrible death wobble & almost caused a serious crash. On 11/25/2025 I had taken it in to the ford dealership to correct this problem since it had happened four times in August & September of this year. Which also almost caused…
2013 F-350 · engine
Several months ago I noticed a shrill whining noise coming from the engine compartment. Upon closer inspection, I observed raw emissions coming from the exhaust manifold. Upon research I noticed that this was a very common problem with the 6.7 diesel between 2011 and 2014 with…
View all 85 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Ford F-350? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V498000 August 13, 2014

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co

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.

Fix: PJ's has notified 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 August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Ford F-350 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford F-350 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 F-350?

The 2013 Ford F-350 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 57,200–125,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford F-350?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 32 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,843 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 94,843 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford F-350 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 F-350?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 85 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/F-350. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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