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2013 Ford F-150 transmission problems

1,346 complaints (45% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,350. 25 crashes reported.

owner complaints
1,346
of this car's complaints
45%
typical mileage
94,350
crashes
25
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    26
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    5
  • Automatic transmission: internal: shaft: output
    3
  • Automatic transmission: control module: software
    3
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Manual transmission: internal: gears
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford F-150 transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford F-150 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't shift 195Jerking 104Transmission failure 51Hesitation 49Shudder 47Harsh shifting 42Slipping 24

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported June 10, 2019 · 107,857 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0L or 6.2L gasoline engines, that previously had the powertrain control module (PCM) software reprogrammed under recall 19V‑075. The software used to reprogram the PCM did not have the necessary updates to prevent the transmission from unexpectedly downshifting into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk
Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S19.

Recall number 19V433000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported February 11, 2019 · 1,263,051 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk
Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.

Recall number 19V075000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Unexpected Transmission DownshiftOpened December 25, 2017, closed October 22, 2019

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V‑248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V‑075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.

RQ17010

What 2013 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Transmission · NH

the recall on 2014 ford f150 VIN [XXX] had a recall in 2020 that was supposedly fixed with a software update the recall was Powertrain / Transmission (the federal safety agency ID: 24V444000 / Ford Campaign 24S37): Loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, potentially leading to rear-wheel lockup or loss of control. A follow-up software update campaign also addresses incomplete or repeat fixes. at that time truck had about 109,000 miles on it and now it has 210,000 miles on it and doing the same thing and I know they put another recall out in 2024 i think because the software update did not fix the problem it was only a band aid. This is a documented systemic issue not just an isolated component failure. this vehicle was manufactured at the [XXX] plant and was part of the first recall but they are telling us now its not part of the newest 2024 group our VIN is not included and we have to pay for the lead frame and the OSS and another PCM software update. I was told there is already that ford acknowledged the root cause of the recall was the 2 things I am being told I have to replace and it is from the recall our truck was part of but then tell me The Vin is not in the 2024 recall is there anything I can do. The Query was closed on it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. While the contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and remained stuck in first or second gear. In addition, the engine revved while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and the speedometer was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission lead frame failure. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty extension associated with the failure had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

Was Driving my truck on the highway, when it slammed into 1st gear on its own, was going about 65 MPH and almost lost control of the vehicle. I have taken it immediately to a FORD dealership for repairs, and they are saying that they are unable to replicate what happened. At the time it showed a Wrench Icon and check engine light, and I am certain that this is from a Molded Lead Frame Failure issue. I did have mine reprogramed by the dealership service center a few years back due to recall, but I think this just pushed the problem down the road, and did not actually fix the ACTUAL problem causing the safety issue. People are going to lose lives over this issue, and it seems FORD is trying to bypass having to actually FIX the problem.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · IN

While I'm driving and say I speed up or accelerate it feels like sometimes down shifts and then starts to go normal

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Transmission · IN

The truck randomly hard downshifts and the gauges stop working and it wont shift back out of third gear. I can stop the truck and shut it off and when I turn it back on it still will be in third gear. If I turn it to manual sometimes I can get it to go down to second but it is a hard shift and then will hard shift back into third and stay. A wrench light comes on and sometimes I will get a check engine light that reads when scanned "output shaft speed sensor circuit." It has been doing this sporadically for over a year since my recall was fixed.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Transmission · MO

Truck will not shift into the correct gears when driving, would jump from 1st to a higher gear, it would shift weird and would lose the dash gauges when the truck was shifting.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · OH

My truck is shifting erratically going from 5/6th gear down to 1st/2nd. It looses power. My battery light comes on, the wrench comes on, check engine light comes on but no codes come up. I have already put in a new transmission at my cost.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · 126,149 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission downshifted into first gear. The service vehicle soon warning light was illuminated and the vehicle was restarted and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V075000 (POWER TRAIN); as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 126,149.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

Was driving on the interstate and the speedometer stopped working, the truck shifted to first gear and entered limp home mode. This is a know issue with the lead frame and even though I only have 95k miles on the truck, ford only offered a 10 year extended warranty CSP 19N01 to cover it which has expired on time. This is a known issue and could have caused an accident on the interstate. This issue should be scheduled as a recall rather than an extended warranty that can expire. So because we do not drive the truck that often we are now being forced to pay for a known issue that Ford is aware of.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · VA

Sudden downshift while driving. Speedometer goes to zero while driving. Safety is high risk. Warning lights yes. No inspection yet. Happened twice in the last week

Questions about the 2013 Ford F-150 transmission

Does the 2013 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 1,346 complaints about the transmission of the 2013 Ford F-150, 45% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,350 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford F-150 transmission?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V433000, 19V075000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford F-150 have bad transmission?

The Ford F-150 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (1,346 complaints), 2018 (1,022 complaints) and 2011 (830 complaints).

Other 2013 Ford F-150 problems

Engine 567Brakes 363Electrical 324Acceleration 304Steering 216Visibility 190Fuel system 159Body 48Driver assistance 44Airbags 39Wheels 39Suspension 20Lights 17Tires 11Locks 10Seat belts 7Seats 4

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