Home · 2013 · Ford
2013 Ford F-450
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Ford F-450, plotted where owners report it happening.
Fuel system
17%1 complaints
“2013 F-450 REGULAR PICKUP, FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE, MY VEHICLE ARE EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH-SUPPLIED CP4 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION PUMPS THAT WERE 'NEVER COMPATIBLE WITH AME…”
Brakes
17%1 complaints
“I64 WESTBOUND SANDSTONE MOUNTAIN W VA 8 MILE 6% GRADE REALIZED INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKES FAILED AND HAD 2 USE MANUAL BRAKE OPTION ON BRAKE CONTROL. WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY…”
Body & structure
17%1 complaints
“FORD F-450 2013 HORTON AMBULANCE HAD THE FUEL TANK FALL FROM THE FRAME ON TO THE ROAD ON EMERGENCY 911 CALL. FRAME HAS HUGH CRACK WITH RETAINING STRAPS. HAD TO TOW TO …”
Transmission & drivetrain
17%1 complaints
“CODE P2201 SETTING AND CAUSING TRUCK TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND REDUCE POWER. VEHICLE IS USED A A BRUSHPUMPER FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS TO DEALER 12 T…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Equipment · 14V498000
PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Risk: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Ford before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Ford F-450. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Ford F-450 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every F-450 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Ford F-450 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.