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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.

About this comparison →

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

Steering complaints

149 reports
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81,000 miles · Mar 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

STARTED UP THE CAR AND I GOT POWER STEERING WARNING AND ADVANCTRAC SERVICE WARNINGS. UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11192514

108,000 miles · Mar 27, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED STEVENS FORD OF MILFORD (LOCATED AT 717 BRIDGEPORT AVE, MILFORD, CT 06460, (203) 876-6464) AND SCHEDULED A DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED STEVENS FORD OF MILFORD (LOCATED AT 717 BRIDGEPORT AVE, MILFORD, CT 06460, (203) 876-6464) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #11192010

70,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. WHEN STEERING IT TAKES GREAT FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. FEELS LIKE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS RUN OUT OF POWER STEERING FLUID, AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAS GONE OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS OFF AND ON AND WITHIN THE PAST MONTH HAS …

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THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. WHEN STEERING IT TAKES GREAT FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. FEELS LIKE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS RUN OUT OF POWER STEERING FLUID, AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAS GONE OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS OFF AND ON AND WITHIN THE PAST MONTH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11191527

80,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FOX GRAND TRAVERSE (3464 US-31, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684, (231) 922-2000) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FOX GRAND TRAVERSE (3464 US-31, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684, (231) 922-2000) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11181085

78,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE MESSAGE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' WAS DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE MESSAGE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' WAS DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (CAGUAS EXPRESSWAY MOTORS, CARR #1KM 30.1, CAGUAS, PR) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOM LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #11171915

105,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMART FORD (1103 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, MALVERN, AR 72104) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMART FORD (1103 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, MALVERN, AR 72104) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11156557

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2018
Steering

THE STEERING IS OFF WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT AND WHILE SWITCHING LANES. IT'S VERY HARD TO STEER. IT FEELS LIKE A MANUAL SHIFT DRIVING VEHICLE INSTEAD OF AUTOMATIC, HAVING TO USE BOTH HANDS JUST TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IT WASN'T AS HARD AT FIRST TO STEER. YOU COULD TELL THE STEERING WAS OFF BUT STILL MANAGEABLE. HOWEVER, NOW IT…

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THE STEERING IS OFF WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT AND WHILE SWITCHING LANES. IT'S VERY HARD TO STEER. IT FEELS LIKE A MANUAL SHIFT DRIVING VEHICLE INSTEAD OF AUTOMATIC, HAVING TO USE BOTH HANDS JUST TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IT WASN'T AS HARD AT FIRST TO STEER. YOU COULD TELL THE STEERING WAS OFF BUT STILL MANAGEABLE. HOWEVER, NOW IT'S AT THE POINT IT'S A MUST TO GET FIXED. WE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED NOW. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP BUT WAS INFORMED THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC RECALLS FOR MY VIN#. I THEN CALLED THE NUMBER ON OWNER.FORD.COM WEBSITE AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE WHO ALSO SAID MY VIN DOESN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS FOR STEERING. I REFERENCED THE RECALL# 15S18 AS IT RELATES TO MY PROBLEM. I WAS STILL INFORMED MY VIN# IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL BUT TO HOLD ONTO MY RECEIPT FROM THE REPAIR SHOP IN CASE IT HAPPENS TO BECOME PART OF THE RECALL THEN WE CAN FORWARD THEM THE RECEIPT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11155157

131,000 miles · Nov 20, 2018
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FOR CERTAIN 2013 FORD FLEX'S. RECALL 15S18. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT MINE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BUT THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT ON MY VEHICLE, IT LOCKED UP AROUND A CURVE WHEN I WAS DOING ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR. THE V…

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THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FOR CERTAIN 2013 FORD FLEX'S. RECALL 15S18. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT MINE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BUT THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT ON MY VEHICLE, IT LOCKED UP AROUND A CURVE WHEN I WAS DOING ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN RIGHT, I CROSSED A LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE ON SUNDAY 11 18 18. I WAS ON HIGHWAY 70 IN KINGSTON TENNESSEE, HEADED EASTBOUND. THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND IN A BIND AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED WITH KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HIT THE TREE DOING ABOUT 35 MPH TO 40 MPH WHEN STEERING BECAME INOP AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE FROM 50 MPH TO AROUND 35 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE STRIKING THE TREE OR COULD'VEBEEN MUCH WORSE. I SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURY AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THIS VEHICLE BECOMES PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY HIT SOMEBODY HEAD ON AND KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF. VERY THANKFUL TO BE HERE BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY COST ME MY LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11152846

14,100 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Steering

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CAR SHUT DOWN AND WAS UNABLE TO STARE

NHTSA ODI #11151756

75,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Steering

STEERING IS STIFF WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT. FEELS LIKE EASY/HARD-HI/LOW SENSATION. ALSO HIGH PITCH SQUEAL WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. NOISE IS COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11151325

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.