FordF-2502013Overview/ford/f-250/2013/base/
250 platform

2013 Ford F-250

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

Body TRUCK

The 2013 Ford F‑250 is a heavy‑duty truck built on the “250” chassis and powered by a power‑train that requires a 7.0‑quart fill of 5W‑20 API oil. Across the model year, owners logged 2,796 complaints, with the power‑train emerging as the most frequent issue and three official recalls recorded. When placed against the broader 1990‑2011 reliability record—spanning a low of four complaints in 1990 to a peak of 594 in 1999—this generation sits toward the middle of the line, suggesting a moderate but not exceptional reliability standing for researchers to note.

Model year2025202420232013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque165 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL 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 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT245-75R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4083 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2013 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec365 hp4x4
2013F-150 Limited 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.60 sec15.30 sec365 hp4x4
2012F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.40 sec15.00 sec411 hp4x4
2012F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.60 sec15.20 sec365 hp4x4
2012F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.90 sec15.40 sec411 hp4x4
2014F-150 Tremor FX4 3.5L EcoBoost Regular Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.30 sec365 hp4x4
2014F-150 Tremor FX2 3.5L EcoBoost Regular Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.50 sec365 hpRWD
2014F-150 Tremor FX4 3.5L EcoBoost Regular Cab (6.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec14.80 sec365 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 165 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 Capacity8.0-10.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.8 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity14 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket340.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle166.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket166.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts165 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63-1.71 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65 DIESEL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 DIESEL cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature189-196 °F
Thermostat Opening TemperatureMain:190-198, Secondary: 68-131 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)53-73
RPM53-73 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance150,000-210,000 na Diesel ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs / 203 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.433 in / 1.275 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 13515 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1129 ft. lbs., step 2: 90129 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-10

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
244.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees; M8: Bolts90 degrees
114.7 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
245 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-18

114.7 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
236.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
336.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
436.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
790 degrees; Bolts 19-2290 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 754 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1bolts 1-127.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-2015 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 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Air Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (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 F-250 emerges in a generation where complaint volumes have been volatile, with prior peaks in 1999 (594 total complaints) and 2008 (337), but the 2013 data reveals a concentrated spike: the Power Train category alone accounts for 877 complaints, far exceeding any single year's total in the provided record. This suggests a significant reliability concern specific to the 2013 model year, though the federal data does not specify the root cause. The year also records 74 crash and 31 fire complaints, which are notable but lack comparative figures from earlier years to fully gauge their severity within the trend. While recalls and investigations for 2013 are not available in this dataset, the sheer volume of powertrain complaints implies a higher risk of expensive repairs. Overall, the 2013 F-250 appears to be a problematic year within the generation, and a buyer should exercise caution and seek detailed service histories before purchasing.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
137
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,796
Owner complaints
74 involved a crash · 31 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,796 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train877
Service Brakes263
Engine221
Steering165
Unknown Or Other119
Visibility/Wiper101
Electrical System93
Power Train,Engine71

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 137 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523342024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
SSM 508762022-06-22Service BrakesSome 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may require service to…

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
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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 F take?

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

Does the 2013 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.