2013 Ford F-150: transmission slipping

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel Transmission Failure I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel due to a serious and costly transmission failure that I believe warrants investigation by the federal safety agency. I purchased this vehicle in 2020, and since that time it has experienced ongoing transmission problems. The transmission has progressively worsened and now slips during operation, creating a safety concern when accelerating, merging into traffic, or crossing intersections. The vehicle does not consistently respond as expected, increasing the risk of a crash. After having the vehicle inspected, I was informed that the transmission requires complete replacement at a cost of more than $7,000. This is an excessive repair expense for what appears to be a known issue affecting Ford F-150 trucks. I am aware that Ford has issued recalls and service actions involving transmission problems on other model-year Ford F-150s. Given the nature of the transmission failure in my 2013 F-150 and the widespread complaints from other owners, I believe the 2013 Ford F-150 should also be investigated for similar transmission defects. This failure is more than an inconvenience—it is a safety issue. A slipping transmission can result in unexpected loss of power, delayed acceleration, or failure to properly engage gears, placing drivers, passengers, and others on the roadway at risk. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate transmission failures in the 2013 Ford F-150 Flex Fuel and determine whether this model should be included in any existing or future safety recalls or other corrective actions. Owners should not be responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs when the failure may be the result of a widespread defect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed May 1, 2026 · Transmission · 167,401 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping and hesitated to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who repaired the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of drive power. The speedometer went to zero without the vehicle decelerating. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the transmission warning light had disappeared. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the molded lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 167,401.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated while driving in a higher gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, with the “Service Vehicle Soon” warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission lead frame was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2024 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · MS

The contact's son owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her son was driving 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping. The transmission unexpectedly downshifted from first gear to fifth gear. The transmission was stuck in fifth gear. The vehicle failed to move. There was a wrench symbol displayed on the instrument panel. The fifth gear warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01. The contact called the local dealer, but it was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact observed that the speedometer was not registering the speed and that the "Wrench" and "Engine" symbols were illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission appeared to be slipping out of gear. The contact stated that the RPM gauge was fluctuating between 5,000 RPM and 2,000 RPM. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the transmission; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission molded lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 19N01 for the transmission molded lead frame (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2024 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gear. While on a ramp, the vehicle failed to shift into gear. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined the failure was due to the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the failure. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Transmission · 193,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the speedometer and fuel gauge became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle might have slipped out of gear. The contact stated that the RPM rose from 2,000 RPM to 3,500 RPM. The contact stated that the service vehicle and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull off the roadway and was able to shift into park(P) and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission leadframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had been informed by the dealer that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 - Transmission Leadframe (Power Train) and that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · FL · crash

Slowing down to make a left turn. Brakes failed very difficult to press brake pad and Power transmission system was not responding properly causing my truck brakes to fail, transmission was slipping and the rear tires to slide. End result was a Crash into a pole at a corner. My truck was totaled by the insurance company costing me over $9,000 to replace the truck after the insurance payment. Recall for Master Cylinder and Power train issued after my crash on 2/2/2018.

Filed Jul 24, 2022 · Transmission · IN

Rear transmission lines broke / came apart Lost power to transmission both drive and reverse Currently at ford for repair; waiting for parts Yes, inspected at ford dealer and mechanic verified transmission lines broke / came apart No warning signs, happened ascending a 9-story parking garage in Chicago, transmission slipped when trying to get into parking space Parked, left trail of fluid, checked under hood and transmission fluid over ground, cowling, and radiator No warning signs at all, no lamps or messages, no symptoms until lines broke

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Transmission · 101,050 miles · FL

Had recall fix completed approx. March 2019 by ford dealership on 2013 f-150, but while in motion, transmission still slips gears often, as well as, delayed shifting of gear.

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 115,000 miles · TX

This has happened 5 times. When starting to take off in low speeds, 20-30 MPH, the transmission will slip into neutral then into first slowing the truck down rapidly. Also, while travelling at highway speeds on cruise control, the vehicle will drop to 5th gear and the speedometer will drop to 0, the odometer and all display panel shows nothing, the cruise will not work, and the airbag light comes on.

Filed Nov 29, 2019 · 100,000 miles · KS

My husband and I were driving down the road and suddenly our 2013 ford f150 starts clunking noise and hard jerking making the nose of the truck will pull down really hard when it does this. We are driving 65mph down the highway when this happened almost causing us to crash. Suddenly after this occured the ford f150 starts acting like the transmission was slipping with only 64,000 miles on it . Tempurature started going up so we pulled over and called a friend to come tow us home. We got home and the truck wont reverse off the trailor. We finally get it off the trailor and take it to the ford buisness in my town on the way there it acts like its stuck in first gear. We get it back from the ford dealership and they tell uhs that the transmission is stuck in reverse. That when they start fhe truck it wants to take off like its stuck in gear even in reverse and then tell us that we will have to replace the transmission that was recently put in mind you it ran fine before the loud noise and sudden changing of gears at 65 MPH.. So why shouldnt ford have to fix it.