FordE-4502013Overview/ford/e-450/2013/base/
450 platform

2013 Ford E-450

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 E.

Body VAN

The 2013 Ford E-450 is a full-size van built on the robust 450 platform and powered by a powertrain that requires 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API-rated oil for proper maintenance. This model year arrived with 6 recalls on record, with owner complaints centering primarily on the Power Train system—a pattern consistent with the model's long-term service profile. Looking at the broader complaint history spanning 1992 through the projected 2027 model years, the 2013 E-450's 19 total complaints places it well below the peak of 80 recorded in 1999 and far from the historic low of just 1 complaint in 1996. This positions the 2013 model among the more problem-free years in the E-450's production run, suggesting reasonable reliability expectations for researchers examining this vehicle.

Model year20172016201520142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225-75R16EOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3858 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.9
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity8 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
RPM55-60 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
RPM55-60 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.511 in / 1.59 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Ford E-450 sits in a comparatively quiet stretch of this long-running chassis, with 12 complaints and 2 recalls following the higher-recall 2005-2011 period (7-12 recalls per year) and preceding a later 2021 spike of 27 complaints and 6 recalls. Against its immediate neighbors, 2013 shows a temporary rise in complaints—12 versus 4 in 2012 and 5 in 2014—while its two recalls are lower than the 4-10 seen annually from 2009 through 2012 and align with the declining recall trend of 2014-2015. TSB count at 27 is elevated over 2012 (19) and 2014 (20), indicating more dealer technical guidance that year, though investigations remained at zero. Reported complaints cluster in Power Train (4) and Engine (4), with one crash complaint and no fire complaints; the federal data does not specify root causes. With recalls low, complaint volume returning to single digits in 2014, and no investigations, 2013 is a generally acceptable year to buy, provided a pre-purchase inspection specifically checks for powertrain and engine symptoms.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
23
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4
Engine4
Unknown Or Other3
Power Train,Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control1
Power Train,Engine1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V097000Fuel System, Other:StorageReported 04/03/2014

Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles… Remedy: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may…

14V584000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 23/09/2014

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010… Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 23 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 518492023-08-08Power TrainVarious 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)…
SSM 481302019-08-09VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 E take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.