2013 Ford F-150: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · NM · fire

While towing a 5000lb camper to go camping, the vehicle spontaneously started fire. When I exited the vehicle I noticed smoke and flames coming from underneath the cab. I opened the hood and it appeared that the fire was coming from the transmission area. Attempts we're made to extinguish the fire while awaiting the arrival of the fire dept. Attempts by myself, and others were unsuccessful causing the fire to burn through the firewall and into the cab. I was in a rural area so it took approx. 15-20 minutes for the fire dept to arrive. The fire eventually burned through the dash and the front windshield. Fire dept arrived and were able to put out the fire. Needless to say the vehicle was totalled.

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Electrical · TX · fire

I left my house going to the store about a mile and never made it my 2013F150 5.0 engine caught on fire about a block behind the Saratoga txfire department before they could make it the truck front end burnt to the ground and melted hood plum off of it for no reason at all total loss

Filed Dec 14, 2025 · Visibility · PA · fire

Turned on my rear defroster to melt ice and snow. As I was sitting in a drive-thru, just 15 minutes later, I saw smoke coming from the bottom edge of the rear window. At first I thought it was the exhaust but then realized that it was too thick. Within 30 seconds there was a pop, like a gunshot. The rear glass had shattered both inside and out. I pulled the truck over to the side and I could see smoke residue on the glass that was still being held in by the moulding. Then I noticed part of the moulding had actually melted. I went online to research and saw this was a problem with this model. Some people have actually lost their trucks to fire when using remote start. Ford should be held responsible to pay for this issue as this is a SAFETY HAZARD both due to fire risk and secondly due to the hazard of shattering glass in the back seat. How many children in the back seat need to be killed or maimed in order for a recall? How many fires must occur before FORD takes responsibility for this design flaw? And, it is a design flaw, as many have had the glass replaced only for it to happen again. The solution of having the back window replaced and unplugging the defroster should not be the burden of the consumer; the onus should be on Ford.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · WA · fire

Driving on the freeway in traffic, driving approximately 10mph. Started to see smoke come from hood, checked gauges and all gauges were normal, no warning lights on. Pulled over and turned off vehicle and flames started from under the hood. Entire vehicle burned.

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · MO · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front brakes. The contact stated that the braking system independently engaged and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had not stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a parts store and upon parking he observed that smoke was being emitted from the passenger side front wheel well. The contact stated that he observed that a flame was visible from the passenger wheel well and that store employees had extinguished the flames with hand-held fire extinguishers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front brake line on the passenger side, both brake drums, calipers, pads, and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later the failure recurred and he needed to replace pads, and calipers on the front passenger side. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V345000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not associated with any recalls related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was running rough and there was a strong burning smell. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ABS fuse was overheating, was damaging the brake pads and rotors, and was causing the vehicle to overheat. The mechanic advised the contact to remove the ABS fuse, and the contact removed the fuse. The vehicle was later taken to another independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was related to the ABS module. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and approaching the stop light, the vehicle in front of her vehicle stopped prematurely. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the vehicle decelerated but failed to stop as intended and crashed into the rear of the other vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact hit the right leg shin area against the dashboard and sustained a punctured wound on the leg. The contact also sustained a swollen right leg and back pain. The emergency units physically examined the contact and recommended medical assistance for the right leg injury. The contact later went to urgent care but could not afford the cost of the medical care. The contact then treated the injuries at home. It was unknown whether the other driver sustained injuries. There was no property damage. A police report was filed but the contact did not have the information available. The police determined that it was a no-fault accident. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the scene. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hot

Filed Mar 31, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

Truck would crank but not start. Had towed to dealership and they found fuse 27 was melted. Was informed that this was a known design flaw. The fuse was relocated to slot 70. Car did not but could have caught fire causing catastrophic damage and injuries to myself or others.

Filed Feb 19, 2024 · Electrical · MN

Strong Electrical burning smell coming through hvac system. Try to locate it. No luck. Also trouble with headlights turning on randomly. BCM? I don’t know. You almost pass out from the smell. This has been going on for at least two or three years.

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the connect point between the oil lines and the turbocharger was clogged and corroded. The mechanic referred the contact to the local dealer for repair assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Brakes · NJ

Brake pedal goes very hard and unless you press with both feet you will not stop. it happens intermittently. Almost had two accidents because of this and I knew what to do. If someone else was driving there would definitely been an accident. Also the engine mounted vacuum pump is leaking oil which seems to be a problem with everyone on these vehicles. The oil leaking directly onto the hot tubo creating a burning smell.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 173,645 miles · WI

I have a Exhaust manifold leaking on the drive side lower back side. I'm scared it could catch my truck on fire if a backfire could happen while with my family with me

Filed Mar 27, 2022 · Electrical · TX

Fuse for fuel pump keeps burning out causing engine to shutdown or not start at all. Smell wire burning smell when opening hood to check fuses. Am afraid this will eventually cause a fire in fuse box. Looked up videos on YouTube and it states that Ford recommends rerouting fuse port but this is electrical in nature and could cause a fire or perhaps other mechanical failures. I am not a mechanic nor do I have financial means to pay someone to reroute a bad fuse port which can eventually cause a fire.