2013 Ford F-150: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · GA

I am submitting this complaint because my 2013 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost developed a serious and potentially life-threatening engine defect that placed me and my family in immediate danger. While traveling on a major interstate/highway, the engine warning light and wrench light illuminated, and the truck subsequently lost power and stalled while I was driving. This occurred in active highway traffic, creating an extremely dangerous situation. My family and I were almost killed because the vehicle unexpectedly lost propulsion while we were traveling at highway speed and surrounded by other vehicles. The defect is especially hazardous because the failure can occur without providing a safe opportunity to move the vehicle out of traffic. An unexpected engine shutdown on a major interstate can leave the vehicle disabled in an active travel lane or in an unsafe location, exposing the occupants to a high risk of being struck by another vehicle. The loss of engine power also compromises the driver's ability to accelerate away from dangerous traffic situations. The condition is consistent with the **timing-component degradation and engine performance/stalling concerns described in Ford's technical-service information, including TSB 18-2305**, concerning the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The timing components can deteriorate to the point that the engine experiences serious drivability problems and may stall. In my case, this was not merely a warning light or minor mechanical issue—the vehicle actually **stalled while being driven on a major interstate with my family inside**. This defect represents an immediate **hazardous safety condition** because an engine that unexpectedly stalls at highway speed can cause a driver to lose the ability to maintain speed, merge, maneuver, or safely remove the vehicle from traffic. The danger is substantially increased when children or family members are passengers. Ford is well aware of this defect. I am asking the federal safety agency to investigate

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission · 195,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection and was nearly involved in a crash. The vehicle restarted after approximately three minutes. The contact stated that the failure recurred on a second occasion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the dealer informed the contact that a liability waiver needed to be signed prior to servicing the vehicle. The contact declined to sign the waiver, stating that the requirement violated federal law regarding recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Engine · 180,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the wrench icon was displayed on the instrument panel before the vehicle stalled. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that undisclosed diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle indicated an engine failure. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced after a similar failure with similar diagnostic trouble codes. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.

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 Jan 15, 2025 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from 5th gear to 3rd gear. The contact stated that occasionally, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. In addition, the instrument cluster had displayed a black screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed molded lead frame control module. The contact was informed that the molded lead frame control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or special programs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 130,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the infotainment system display disappeared, the icons on the instrument panel became darkened, the vehicle stalled, the transmission shifted unintentionally, and the transmission sensor was inoperable. Several unstated warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis; the dealer informed the contact that the cause of the failure was unidentifiable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on several different occasions and the contact was informed once again that the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the VIN was no longer associated to the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle later restarted; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a fuse box where the sensors were attached to had melted. The vehicle was not 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 80,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 166,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle had started off driving in 5th gear instead of 1st gear. The instrument cluster was blank. While driving 50–60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted to second gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there was no coverage for the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Action Number: RQ17010 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled, and the gear shifter remained in neutral. The contact also stated that instrument the instrument panel would not function occasionally and stated that transmission error codes 720 and 722 were displayed. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnostic test result was undisclosed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact related the failure to TSB: 20008 and TSB: 16-008. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed May 13, 2024 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his fiancée was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was stalling with an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact discovered an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the speed odometer was inoperable. The contact stated that she was almost involved in two accidents due to the failure. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two separate occasions. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a failed power train control module and that the power train control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact stated she contacted the local Ford dealer and was informed that the repair would not be covered under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.