IllustrationRIGHT FRONT SIDE DOOR IS SHOWN AJAR. INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. VERY DANGEROUS DO DRIVE AT NIGHT. BATTERY WILL RUN DOWN SINCE LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF. ON LINE STRING INDICATES VERY HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAULTY DOOR SWITCHES.
2013 Ford Flex
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Flex years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Flex are substantially higher than the model-year median of 139.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Flex years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
9925–50K
13150–75K
8375–100K
72100–150K
21150K+
435 reports with mileage · 143 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
200 reportsTHE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS SHUT. THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FLEX AND THE ENTIRE LATCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHY ISN'T THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEING DEALT WITH BY FORD? *TR
3 OUT OF THE 4 DOORS ON THE FLEX WILL NOT LOCK, I CALLED FORD AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD WE ARE NOT A PART OF THE 2.4 MILLION CARS RECALLED. MY CHILDREN CANNOT LOCK THE DOORS WHILE WE ARE TRAVELING AND IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO US, FORD SUGGESTED I PAY FOR NEW LOCKS AND IF WE ARE RECALLED THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME.
THE ISSUES ARISES WHEN THE DOOR LATCH AND INTEGRATED SENSOR FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE DOOR BEING CLOSED PROPERLY. A DISPLAY ON THE DASH WILL INFORM THE DRIVER OF THE WHICH DOOR IS "AJAR". THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CHIME AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF IF THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE AND DRIVEN. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE WI…
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THE ISSUES ARISES WHEN THE DOOR LATCH AND INTEGRATED SENSOR FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE DOOR BEING CLOSED PROPERLY. A DISPLAY ON THE DASH WILL INFORM THE DRIVER OF THE WHICH DOOR IS "AJAR". THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CHIME AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF IF THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE AND DRIVEN. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOW NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCKED WHILE PARKED OR IN MOTION. AN INVITED PERSON COULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AT A LIGHT OR AN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS COLLISION THE DOOR MAY COME AJAR. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET WILL REVEAL THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND FORD HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE PART BECAUSE IT IS AWARE OF THIS FLAW.
THE DRIVER DOOR ALWAYS SAYS ITS OPEN AND THE LIGHT ON THE INSIDE TO THE CAR STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A CERTAIN SPEED, THE ALARM ALSO RANDOMLY COMES ON. THE CAR BATTERY STAYS DEAD BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL BE OFF AND THE ALARM WILL BE SET THE ALARM WILL SOUND SO I CANNOT LOCK MY DOORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINED ILLUMINATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IS WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE LINE WAS CORR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINED ILLUMINATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IS WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 01/10/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT PASSENGER DOORS IN BACK DOES NOT CLOSE RIGHT. UPDATED 7/9/18*JB *TR
BOTH FRONT DOOR SENSORS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT, AND THIS PREVENTS THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS FROM BEING ENGAGED. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN THE DOOR SENSOR SAYS THAT IT IS OPEN. THIS HAPPENS WITH THE CAR IS IN MOTION AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS OFF. WHEN IT IS OFF AND THIS HAPPENS THE ALARM SOUNDS.
DRIVER DOOR SHOWS AJAR WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. CAUSES DINGING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. AND ALARM TO GO OFF RANDOMLY WHEN UNATTENDED. MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED. DOOR WILL NOT LOCK CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF CONDITION. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE
DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. RESULTS IN CONSTANT DINGING OF DOOR AJAR ALARM AND DOME LIGHTS ON. SEAT BELTS BECOME UNBUCKLED SPONTANEOUSLY IN MIDDLE BENCH SEAT WHILE IN MOTION. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF THEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OUR KIDS.
PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR SHOWS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN, EVEN WHEN DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED. THIS CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY AND THE INABILITY TO ENABLE THE THEFT ALARM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY…
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PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR SHOWS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN, EVEN WHEN DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED. THIS CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY AND THE INABILITY TO ENABLE THE THEFT ALARM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD.
Official recalls
620V072000 · Suspension:rear
Feb 10, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
16V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 25, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.
15V812000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Dec 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Jun 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
14V393000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
Jul 2, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
13V227000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
May 31, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.