IllustrationDRIVER DOOR SENSOR FAILURE. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, DOOR IS CLOSED AND LATCHING, BUT SYSTEM DOESN'T THINK IT IS. UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS, INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS STAY ON CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT. PLUS ANNOYING DINGING ALERTS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC
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 FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR WENT BAD AND TELLS CAR THAT DOOR IS AJAR. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR. NOW YESTERDAY THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SENSOR. THIS WAS QUOTED TO ME AT $700. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A BAD DOOR SENSOR THAT FORD HAS PUT BAD AND FAULTY SENSORS ON. I FEE…
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THE DOOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR WENT BAD AND TELLS CAR THAT DOOR IS AJAR. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR. NOW YESTERDAY THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SENSOR. THIS WAS QUOTED TO ME AT $700. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A BAD DOOR SENSOR THAT FORD HAS PUT BAD AND FAULTY SENSORS ON. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR .THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN TOWN SAID, "THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD FLEX". THIS DOOR AJAR SENSOR KEEPS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DRAINING THE BATTERY, EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS SHUT. THIS KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON WHEN DRIVING, AND AT NIGHT MAKES IT VERY VERY HARD TO SEE AND DRIVE. THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY DOOR SENSORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE VEHICLE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE VEHICLE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY TO THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, THEY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
DOOR AJAR WARNING - PASSENGER DOOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SHOWING THE DOOR IS OPEN ALL OF THE TIME. SINCE THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK WHILE IN MOTION. PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR IN DANGER. IT ALSO KEEPS THE INTERNAL LAMPS ON BECAUSE THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN CAUSING THE BATTERY LIFE TO DECREAS…
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DOOR AJAR WARNING - PASSENGER DOOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SHOWING THE DOOR IS OPEN ALL OF THE TIME. SINCE THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK WHILE IN MOTION. PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR IN DANGER. IT ALSO KEEPS THE INTERNAL LAMPS ON BECAUSE THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN CAUSING THE BATTERY LIFE TO DECREASE AT A QUICKER RATE.
PASSANGER DOOR THINKS ITS AJARED. DOOR IS SECURED ITS JUST THINK ITS OPENNED. WON'T ALLOW ME TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND WILL SET OFF THE ALARM. OTHER THAN HAVING THE INDICATION WHILE DRIVING, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ARE WHEN IT IS PARKED AND LOCKED (IF I COULD). I'M JUST DEALING WITH THE ALARM ISSUE NOW, DOME LIGHTS ALWAYS ON, AND S…
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PASSANGER DOOR THINKS ITS AJARED. DOOR IS SECURED ITS JUST THINK ITS OPENNED. WON'T ALLOW ME TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND WILL SET OFF THE ALARM. OTHER THAN HAVING THE INDICATION WHILE DRIVING, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ARE WHEN IT IS PARKED AND LOCKED (IF I COULD). I'M JUST DEALING WITH THE ALARM ISSUE NOW, DOME LIGHTS ALWAYS ON, AND SOON TO BE DEAD BATTERY.
PASSENGER REAR DOOR SENSOR THINKS DOOR IS OPEN AT ALL TIMES. EFFECT ALARM SYSTEM, ETC. VEHICLE HAS APPRX 65000 MILES.
THE SENSOR FOR THE RIGHT REAR DOOR BEING CLOSED IS COMING ON WHEN THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY CLOSED. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING THE CAR'S DOOR OPENING SENSORS TO BE ACTIVATED, MAKING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS, AND KEYLESS ENTRY LIGHTS TO TURN ON SPORADICALLY. BECAUSE THE DOOR OPEN SENSOR LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME, IT IS …
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THE SENSOR FOR THE RIGHT REAR DOOR BEING CLOSED IS COMING ON WHEN THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY CLOSED. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING THE CAR'S DOOR OPENING SENSORS TO BE ACTIVATED, MAKING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS, AND KEYLESS ENTRY LIGHTS TO TURN ON SPORADICALLY. BECAUSE THE DOOR OPEN SENSOR LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT WHEN THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY OPEN, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT PER BULLETIN SB-10054930-1306 AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE DEFECT DID NOT OCCUR ON MY VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS WELL BEYOND ITS NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY.
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR SENSOR NOT WORKING. DOOR REPORTS BEING OPEN WHEN IT'S NOT. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON, DRAINING BATTERY, INTERFERING WITH DRIVING. HAPPENS WHEN 1ST GETTING INTO CAR, BUT ALSO DURING OPERATION. HAPPENING NEARLY ALL THE TIME NOW.
2013 FORD FLEX DOOR AJAR SWITCH KEEPS DOOR LOCKS FROM LOCKING. WHEN MANUALLY LOCKING DOORS THEY IMMEDIATELY POP BACK UP. ALSO THE DOME LIGHT STAYS LITE, MAKING NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
I PARKED MY CAR TO GO FOOD SHOPPING AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO LEAVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT TURN
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.