What 2,796 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-150 Supercab

I was traveling on the highway at a speed of 70 mph, when out of nowhere my truck downshifted to first gear; causing me to swerve to the side of the road. I had my vehicle towed to a shop where I was informed it was a module for the transmission and lead case which caused the malfunction. Upon doing the research I learned that it was a recall from the plant which my truck came from. Had repairs done at the tune of $5320.00. Also was told by a consumer service representative that I qualified for reimbursement, but then was told that my vehicle was not part of the recall which specifically displayed the exact symptoms and malfunctions of said recall-24S37.

NHTSA ODI 11617831

I took my 2013 Ford F150 in on Feb. 15, 2019 due to a recall. They reprogrammed the software, only took a few minutes. This is recall #19S07. It was due to the truck possibly shifting from any gear into first gear suddenly. Very dangerous. I did not have that problem before or since the recall until one week ago. Pulling onto the highway, RPM's went very high (3500-4000) even though I was only going est. 25 MPH. My speedometer showed "0". This problem comes and goes and now I feel completely unsafe driving my truck. I contacted Ford customer service and I do not think they will fix this unless I cover the tab. I feel that this is unfair. I have taken it in and left it all day but they did not get to it, my local Ford dealer is out until mid November for service. My truck now gets stuck in first gear or downshifts into first gear and the instrument display goes wacky, no speedometer, etc. I noticed a green wrench icon light up yesterday when this happened. Over 1.2 million F-150's had this problem. Over 100,000 trucks did not receive the proper PCU reprogram and need new reprogramming. I believe my truck is one of these as I am now having the exact issues that the recall was supposed to solve. Fortunately, I have not been travelling at high speeds when this happens but this problem can cause the transmission to shift from any gear at any speed into first gear, which could be life threatening. According to Ford, it is the powertrain control module software that causes this problem. Trucks built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, 4/28, 2010 to 10/28, 2013 and Kansas City Assembly Plant, 5/18, 2010 to 11/18, 2013 have this problem. My truck's manufacture date is March 2013 so it falls into both of these timeframes. I feel that this is a severe safety issue and could result in serious injury or even death. I think that because the 2019 service recall did not solve the issue, since my truck has these exact things going on with it, Ford is responsible. Thnx

NHTSA ODI 11617746

Upon getting a recall done for the OSS downshift my truck has been acting up. While in motion at about 40 mph yesterday my truck automatically downshifted into 1st gear. My tires skid and it jerked me really hard. I though I had hit something. If someone was behind me at that moment or I was going faster it could have caused a wreck. The transmission also does not shift out of 1st gear sometimes after stopping at a light or stop sign. This could cause a wreck also as I can't go over 5-10 mph as the RPMS redline because it will not shift. I can put it in manual mode and shift it sometimes but not always. Occasionally it will not shift past 3rd gear. Since the recall has been done the tech added Campaign 19N01. Upon calling the dealership that did the repair in Memphis TN they stated it had nothing to do with the recall (not sure how they can determine that without looking at it) and it sounded like I was having transmission problems. They are 4 months out for transmission repairs, so even if I wanted to pay for the repair and not try to go through the recall or extended warranty I cant for MONTHS! My engine light is on but have not had the codes ran. The Ford forum... [XXX] all states the same issues I am having. This seems to be a common occurrence and if your vehicle is out of the warranty or had already been done then you are on your own. The forum is stating it is the lead frame or output speed sensor on the transmission that is the issue. I have had so many issues with this FORD its ridiculous. My timing chain exploded as well and I had to purchase a complete new motor. This is a common failure with this model /motor Ford trucks. It also shows a wrench on the dash and the speedometer quits working and mileage, MPG and others just show dashes. Need a resolution from FORD so the customers do not have to fork the bill for THEIR faulty PARTS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11616588

Periodically tachometer revs, speedometer and odometer stops working, and the Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power/Electronic Throttle Control as well as the Service Engine Soon lights come on. Sometimes will reset when stopped, and the vehicle is turned off for about ten seconds before turning back on.

NHTSA ODI 11614353

The shift 3ª to 4ª are hit

NHTSA ODI 11610731

There's been a very dangerous situation with my truck without any warning, lose all info with it's gauges on the instrument panel and the truck losing power with speed and the transmission locking up or not shifting gears and this causes the vehicles rpm to rev up extremely high to a 4 then sometimes a hard shift can be felt at times . This is creating a very dangerous condition on the highway when speeds are at 75 when without any warning it does this and the truck has felt like it was going to flip due to these problems when they happen or other vehicles are also in danger when the truck slows drastically in front of them while behind me. There's been a recall previously I've noticed on this truck regarding a code that I've been able to get on it when it happens and its PO720 . There was a recall on this truck in 2019 that calls for a replacement of the molded lead frame which describes everything I just mentioned to you above BUT, this recall excluded covering rental vehicles (due to their inventory of parts) and low and behold I've just found out that my truck had been a rental vehicle in its past and during this period of the recall. I've notified the lienholder and Ford Motor Company of my issues and have gotten no help as to how I feel they are responsible for this fix and I think that either they should be made to repair any vehicle ,rental or not, either way its a very bad situation which risks peoples lives. And if by some chance this truck did get the repair that was recalled back then , then I believe those parts are faulty as well and Ford needs to do another recall on this truck before an accident happens and someone gets badly injured or killed by it.

NHTSA ODI 11605815

Truck downshifts when trying to increase speed. Truck will not shift into all gears, the check engine light comes on, the speed odometer goes to zero and the miles per gallon screen goes blank. All these items happen at the same time while driving. Today the truck wouldn’t take off. I had to shift gears manually to drive it with the console gear shift +/- buttons

NHTSA ODI 11605015

Driving down the highway fling 55 mph and truck shifts into 1st gear and almost makes me wreck. Part previously under recall but Ford says they will not fix. Original recall 19n01. Shut off vehicle and turned back on. I thought everything was normal but then a mild down the road the truck would not shift out of 3rd gear. This is a safety issue. I'm afraid to drive because of the chance of wrecking. During the entire time the odometer and speedometer both show zero so guessing speed.

NHTSA ODI 11605149

Hello, on my 2013 ford f150, why driving the vehicle will at random shift from 5th gear to 1st gear, creating a massive loss of power and forcing me to loose speed rapidly. This puts my self, my family and those around me in danger. I have reached online that there is a current recall for 2014 models that do this, but not 2013 models. This seems outrageous to me. This is just as much of a safety concern. Why discriminate between the two years.

NHTSA ODI 11603728

I had all the recalls done to my vehicle that pertains to a problem with my vehicle suddenly shifting to first gear at freeway speeds. This was done about two years ago. On July 7th, 2024 my vehicle suddenly shifted to first gear while traveling at a rate of 55 miles per hour. My rear tires suddenly locked up and I lost control of my vehicle. Luckily I avoided an accident. I’m reporting this information because Ford’s recall to this problem did not solve the issue and this can cause accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11601275

AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR (OSS) IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11597431

I was driving at 70 mph on the highway and my transmission automatically downshifted locking up my rear wheels twice nearly causing me to lose control. I was able to pull off the highway safely and get into a parking lot and turn off and restart my truck. I was able to make it to my destination on city streets, but with similar issues at lower speeds. I took my truck to have its codes checked and the diagnosis was a failed lead frame. I called Ford and they said the extended warranty on this part was expired on my truck by 2 months. The fact that there is a not an automatic recall on this part on 2013 models is kind of scary knowing what I went through on the highway. I have since had the lead frame replaced and the issue is resolved.

NHTSA ODI 11596825

2013 f150 truck wouldn’t get out of first gear from stop light, wrench light came on, speed odometer stayed at 0 miles. Took to ford dealership to have recall 19S07 done and was told this would not fix it, (needed a fix that was no longer offered bc I’m past 10 years mark) they did the recall and now the truck jerks when shifting gears and downshifts to first from any speed

NHTSA ODI 11596855

Would be driving at about 55-60 mph on the interstate and the truck would drop into first gear slamming me forward almost causing an accident twice !!!! Not including the whiplash it gives you!

NHTSA ODI 11597010

When traveling on road and want to speed up to get on freeway, change lanes, or simple speed up I lose power shift and it goes from 6 to 4 or 3 in gears and I can't accelerate which has almost caused many accidents. The check engine signal will only blink right when it's happening and loose speed and the AC air flow will get warm until it corrects itself after I either slow down or shut truck off completely. But always happens when you accelerate at any time.

NHTSA ODI 11596374

My vehicle has had two instances on the highway where the vehicle abruptly downshifted from 6th gear down to 1st and the other time down to third. I took it to Ford and they said it was the speed sensor however they said it was not a recall. I see all these recalls on 2013 f150’s but not mine?? Why?? Im having the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11596600

My truck will downshift on its own, i.e., I’m doing 65 mph on the highway in 6th gear and it will suddenly downshift to 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear, causing my back tires to spin out, I almost lose control of the truck and I lose speed quickly when other vehicles all around me are still doing 65 mph or more. The truck has also failed to shift out of first gear at all, the speedometer needle does not move at all and the truck will not shift up when I’m trying to accelerate. This is a danger to me and to all drivers around me. Ford is aware of this problem, the issue is a faulty lead frame assembly and it needs to be replaced. They issued a recall that called for a PCM reprogramming - a reprogramming of the PCM module was supposedly going to fix the issue with a faulty lead frame assembly! Crazy, it clearly did not as I had the PCM reprogrammed and the truck is still acting crazy due to the faulty lead frame assembly that Ford refuses to replace at their expense. It’s a $200 part!!

NHTSA ODI 11594493

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact noticed a failure with the accelerator pedal wherein the accelerator pedal failed to engage properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but was not disclosed. The dealer replaced the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated he was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe and could cause severe injuries if the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI 11589628

The vehicle randomly shifts to first gear while driving at 30-45 MPH. The behavior is dangerous - in one case it caused me to lose control of my vehicle; in another, I was nearly rear ended. I was then forced to stop driving until I could have the car repaired. I paid to have the lead frame fixed. I’m told there was an extended warranty issued by Ford for this issue; however, because I drive my vehicle less frequently, I was months removed from the 10-year extended warranty threshold. For an issue as dangerous as this (and from my understanding is one that occurs somewhat frequently), I’m surprised a recall wasn’t issued!

NHTSA ODI 11586933

The truck is unexpectedly downshifting to first exactly as the safety recall states .at this This happened while my son was driving the truck the attached picture shows the errors on the dash at the time and also the speedometer read zero when the truck was in motion. Tooele ford claims the safety recall was completed , however nhtsa website states it is an unresolved recall. Tooele ford and ford customer service refused to remedy the situation.

NHTSA ODI 11583398

truck speedometer goes to 0. Slows down abruptly. Rpm goes way up. Was going from 45 to less than 10mph in a matter of seconds. Feels like the transmission automatically downshifts to a lower gear. Very dangerous. Seems to be quite a few of these incidents on you tube. Truck only has 11600 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11580039

I was driving on the highway going 70MPH in 6th gear. Myself, my wife, and my 6th month old son were on our way to a doctors appointment when in the middle lane on the highway my truck decided to completely downshift into 1st gear. With doing so my truck locked up and I lost control of the vehicle almost colliding with a semi. I was very lucky to not have wrecked and got onto the shoulder safely where I had no power to my vehicle. I got it towed to a dealership and after paying out of pocket for a diagnostic they found that my truck had a recall with the oss sensor on the transmission witch caused significant engine and transmission damage resulting in $18,000.00 to fix. Apparently the warranty expires 10 years or 150k miles which my truck has surpassed both. I wasn’t warned about any recall or found any recall there was no damage or signs of damage to the truck prior to this incident.

NHTSA ODI 11574142

My 2013 F150 downshifted abruptly from 5th to 1st gear going 55. This caused me to stop dangerously and abruptly. It then got stuck in 1st gear. I turned off truck and restarted and it was stuck in 3rd gear. I did have a check engine light read which were codes: P0720/p0721/p0720 pointing to the output shaft speed sensor. I had Ford dealership TSB performed in 2020 to reprogram PCM to prevent this from happening, wrench icon showed a long with airbag light and dashboard quit working all except RPM gauge. The first time this abrupt downshift occurred was today February 21, 2024. Seems like a very dangerous safety issue and the dealership has no regards to it and said they are booked out and it would be $150 to look into it.

NHTSA ODI 11573177

While in motion, the wrench on the dash lights up and the truck downshifts. It matches the description that goes with the recall for the speed sensor and the truck being reprogrammed. The symptoms, the truck info, the assembly plant and date all fit the recall but it's not on the recall list.

NHTSA ODI 11570882

Component or system failure or malfunction: Delayed or no gear shifting. Transmission sudden downshift at low and high speeds, and failure to shift into lower or higher gear at takeoff, and/or while in motion. Safety risk: Sudden downshift at high speed caused stability and control issue at highway speed. The problem has been reproduced by owner and discussed with dealer by phone. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem appeared prior to the failure. A large wrench display appeared on dash at the moment of failure and reoccurs with each failure. Some dash displays zero out and/or disappear. The speedometer drops to zero and fails thereafter to register. Transmission shifting becomes random and sudden or fails entirely. Manuals shifting is sometimes possible and other times not possible. Manual shifting all the way to gear 3, followed by a mild acceleration occasionally causes the speedometer to resume function. Subsequent switching to automatic shift is then possible and automatic shifting functions initially or for varied lengths of time.  Failure produces OBD code P0720 related to workings and overall condition of the output speed sensor circuit.

NHTSA ODI 11557350