FordF-5502013Overview/ford/f-550/2013/base/
550 platform

2013 Ford F-550

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

Body TRUCK

The 2013 Ford F-550 is a heavy-duty truck built on Ford's 550 chassis platform, powered by an engine that takes 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API viscosity oil — a workhorse positioned squarely in the middle of the Super Duty lineup for operators who need serious hauling capability without stepping up to a medium-duty cab. With 2,796 total owner complaints logged across the model line and three recalls on record, the F-550's reliability picture is dominated by power train issues, which stand out as the top complaint area by a wide margin. Looking at the broader complaint history spanning 2007–2020, the 2013 model year sits just one year ahead of 2014, which marked the lowest complaint count in the entire range at just two, suggesting that this era of the F-550 was approaching a reliability sweet spot — meaning buyers researching a used example from this period are looking at a truck whose most troublesome years were largely behind it, even if the power train remains the area most worth scrutinizing.

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

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

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. 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 Capacity8.0-10.0
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
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

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

Ignition

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

Thermostat Opening TemperatureMain:190-198, Secondary: 68-131 °F
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)53-73
RPM53-73 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)51-62
RPM51-62 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance150,000-210,000 na Diesel ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle295 ft-lbs / 258 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 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
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
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
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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 754 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; 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 miTemperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 F-550 occupies a brief lull within a generation characterized by two distinct peaks of federal scrutiny, coming after a sharp spike in complaints and recalls from 2011 to 2012 but preceding a much larger, sustained surge from 2016 onward. Specifically, 2013 recorded 6 complaints, 1 recall, 1 investigation, and 8 TSBs, which is a notable improvement over the 13 complaints and 5 recalls of 2012, yet still elevated compared to the quiet 2007-2010 baseline. However, the severity of the 2013 model's issues remains concerning, with Power Train (877), Service Brakes (263), Engine (221), and Steering (165) representing the top complaint areas, alongside 74 crash and 31 fire complaints. While the data does not specify the root causes for these systemic failures, the high volume of safety-related complaints indicates that 2013 is far from a trouble-free year. Therefore, this is not an ideal year to buy; any prospective purchaser should exercise extreme caution and demand comprehensive service records specifically verifying powertrain and brake system overhauls before considering this vehicle.

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 by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F. OEM
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 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.