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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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50,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BULBS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO PREVENT THE LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BULBS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO PREVENT THE LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10716564

39,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR WARNING BEGAN SHOWING WHILE I WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DOOR HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN FACT THERE WAS NOT EVEN A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. I TRIED OPENING AND SHUTTING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH THE WARNING WOULD RESET. SINCE THEN THE W…

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THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR WARNING BEGAN SHOWING WHILE I WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DOOR HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN FACT THERE WAS NOT EVEN A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. I TRIED OPENING AND SHUTTING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH THE WARNING WOULD RESET. SINCE THEN THE WARNING IS PRESENT APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE DOOR AJAR MORNING IS ACTIVE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AT LOW SPEED AND REGARDLESS OF SPEED YOU'RE UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS. THESE ISSUES ARE WHEN THE DOOR AJAR MORNING IS ACTIVE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AT LOW SPEED AND REGARDLESS OF SPEED YOU'RE UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS WHICH CAUSE OBVIOUS SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES AS WELL AS THE ADDED DANGER OF NOT BEING AWARE OF AN ACTUAL DOOR AJAR. I TOOK MY FLEX TO SUMMERVILLE FORD AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE BEING AWARE OF MULTIPLE FORD MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, APOLOGIZED FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE WITHOUT MY PAYING FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #10716377

60,000 miles · May 8, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10715397

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2015
Electrical System

LAST JUNE THE AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE DOOR. SO ON MARCH 16TH THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WAS DOING THE SAME THING SAY THAT IT WAS AJARED AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP THEN THE OTHER LIGHT WOULD COME ON SAYING SHIFT TO PARK AND MY DOORS ARE NOT LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND I…

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LAST JUNE THE AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE DOOR. SO ON MARCH 16TH THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WAS DOING THE SAME THING SAY THAT IT WAS AJARED AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP THEN THE OTHER LIGHT WOULD COME ON SAYING SHIFT TO PARK AND MY DOORS ARE NOT LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VECHICLE WITH ME. I CALLED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW AND SINCE I WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN THE FOLLOWING WEEK I WILL BE OUT OF WARRENTY. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SOMEONE TO LOOK AT IT. IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN A YEAR AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE FIXED NOW, UNLESS THEY PUT A BAD PART IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714882

26,200 miles · Apr 25, 2015
Electrical System

DRIVER SIDE DOOR AJAR SIGN IS ON WHEN DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED. INSIDE LIGHTS STAY ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712871

38,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DOOR AJAR WARNING STAYS ON FOR DRIVERS DOOR. BEGIN AS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM RESOLVED BY OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR TILL THE DOOR SENSOR REGISTERED THE DOOR CLOSED. PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON ALL THE TIME AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS DO NOT ENGAGE WH…

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DOOR AJAR WARNING STAYS ON FOR DRIVERS DOOR. BEGIN AS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM RESOLVED BY OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR TILL THE DOOR SENSOR REGISTERED THE DOOR CLOSED. PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON ALL THE TIME AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN DRIVING. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SAID IT JUST NEEDS OILED AND IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE OILED IT AND CLEANED IT WITH COMPRESSED AIR AND IT HAS DONE NOTHING. IF FORD CAN'T STAND BEHIND THIS KIND OF THING, I'LL BE BUYING A HYUNDAI OR A HONDA NEXT FOR A BETTER WARRANTY AND FOR A HIGHER QUALITY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712091

33,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND SHIFT TO PARK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER ALL DOORS WERE CHECKED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE LOCKED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND SHIFT TO PARK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER ALL DOORS WERE CHECKED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10703922

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2015
Electrical System

DOOR AJAR SENSOR ,LIGHTS STAY ON, DOORS WONT LOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703234

35,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Electrical System

2013 FORD FLEX DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND CHIMES PREVENTING DRIVER FROM LOCKING DOORS AS THE ALERT UNLOCKS ALL DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND TURNS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON. ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND FORD REPS, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE AS COMMON IN THE FORD EDGE AND FORD FLEX REFUSE TO CHANGE THE FAULTY DOOR…

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2013 FORD FLEX DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND CHIMES PREVENTING DRIVER FROM LOCKING DOORS AS THE ALERT UNLOCKS ALL DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND TURNS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON. ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND FORD REPS, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE AS COMMON IN THE FORD EDGE AND FORD FLEX REFUSE TO CHANGE THE FAULTY DOOR SENSOR SWITCH OPTING TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS $600+ TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FLAWED DESIGN. CURRENTLY THE SENSOR ALERTS US 10 TO 15 TIMES DURING A 30 MINUTE RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702670

40,000 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Electrical System

BLUETOOTH CONNECTION FAILURE, NAVIGATION FAILURE, CLOCK FAILURE, ON BOARD COMPUTER FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702185

Official recalls

6

20V072000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.