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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

What owners actually said

578 reports
55,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Steering

AT 55,000 STARTED UP CAR PUT IN DRIVE AND THE POWER DRIVING ASSIT WENT ON STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11119005

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

PURCHASED CAR IN FEB. 2013. IN OCT 2014 I BEGAN TAKING MY FLEX TO SUNLAND FORD SERVICE CENTER DUE TO DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WOULD DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN DOOR ASSEMBLY. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST OF THE DOORS APPEARING AJ…

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PURCHASED CAR IN FEB. 2013. IN OCT 2014 I BEGAN TAKING MY FLEX TO SUNLAND FORD SERVICE CENTER DUE TO DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WOULD DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN DOOR ASSEMBLY. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST OF THE DOORS APPEARING AJAR. FINALLY, SERVICE CENTER DECIDED TO FULLY REPLACE DOOR ASSEMBLY ON BACK DOOR LATCH BUT PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. SERVICE CENTER REPLACED BACK DOOR ASSEMBLY IN DECEMBER OF 2014. MY PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO SHOW THE DOOR AJAR AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2015. I STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM TODAY AND HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO WHICH THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY CONCERNS. 1) IN MOTION: DOME LIGHTS DON'T SHUT OFF HINDERING VISIBILITY FOR THE FIRST 2-5 MINUTES OF NIGHT DRIVING. 2) STATIONARY OR IN MOTION: DOORS CANNOT BE LOCKED WHILE CAR IS ON AND PARKED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. 3) MY AUTO DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING FOR A TIME AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT'S BECAUSE OF THESE DOOR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11118760

92,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Electrical System

DRIVER DOOR LATCH/RELAY SWITCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DRIVER DOOR SHOWS AJAR EVEN WHEN PROPERLY SHUT. INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED AT NIGHT CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD AS THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. REPEATED DOOR AJAR, ENGINE ON AND SHIFT TO PARK WARNINGS SHOWN ON SCREEN. THE WARNINGS ARE RANDOM AND HAPPEN WHILE DRIVIN…

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DRIVER DOOR LATCH/RELAY SWITCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DRIVER DOOR SHOWS AJAR EVEN WHEN PROPERLY SHUT. INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED AT NIGHT CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD AS THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. REPEATED DOOR AJAR, ENGINE ON AND SHIFT TO PARK WARNINGS SHOWN ON SCREEN. THE WARNINGS ARE RANDOM AND HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, IN PARK, IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR IS SEEN AS SHUT AND THE NEXT MOMENT IT "APPEARS" OPEN TO THE CAR COMPUTER ALERTING THE WARNING. THE WARNINGS MAY BE CONSTANT FOR DAYS THEN NOT OCCUR FOR AN HOUR AND BEGIN AGAIN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD AND AFFLICTS MANY, MANY FLEX OWNERS. A DOOR LATCH, WHICH CONTAINS THE SWITCH RELAY, HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11118576

60,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED THE POWER ASSIST GOES OUT AND BECOMES MANUAL STEERING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS.IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIME CAUSING US AN EXPENSE EACH TIME. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MAKE FOR THE STEERING BUT FOR SOME REASON FORD IS NOT COVERING ALL OF THEM. OURS IS ONE OF THEM NOT COVERED…

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WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED THE POWER ASSIST GOES OUT AND BECOMES MANUAL STEERING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS.IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIME CAUSING US AN EXPENSE EACH TIME. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MAKE FOR THE STEERING BUT FOR SOME REASON FORD IS NOT COVERING ALL OF THEM. OURS IS ONE OF THEM NOT COVERED AND WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11115146

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Seat BeltsSteering

WELL I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND A LIGHT COME UP SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE AFTER 10 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUPER HARD TO TURN AND TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE THANK GOD I DID NOT HIT A CAR BUT I CALL TO THE DEALER I TELL THEM THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND THEY SAID NOT FOR MY CAR WHEN THIS IS HAPPE…

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WELL I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND A LIGHT COME UP SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE AFTER 10 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUPER HARD TO TURN AND TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE THANK GOD I DID NOT HIT A CAR BUT I CALL TO THE DEALER I TELL THEM THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND THEY SAID NOT FOR MY CAR WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING AND ALL FORD FLEX 2013 THE PART COST $1300 BRAND NEW PLUS LABOR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11114926

82,000 miles · Jul 25, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

2 ISSUES 1) THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR THOUGH CLOSED IS READ AS A WARNING "DOOR AJAR". THE WARNING STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE SINCE OWNING THE 2013 FORD FLEX WHEN PURCHASED IN 2016 WITH JUST UNDER 20,000 MILES ON IT. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON FROM STARTING THE ENGINE UNT…

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2 ISSUES 1) THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR THOUGH CLOSED IS READ AS A WARNING "DOOR AJAR". THE WARNING STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. IT DRAINS THE BATTERY AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE SINCE OWNING THE 2013 FORD FLEX WHEN PURCHASED IN 2016 WITH JUST UNDER 20,000 MILES ON IT. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON FROM STARTING THE ENGINE UNTIL ACCELERATED SPEED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AFTER PARKED STAY ON FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES THOUGH IT COULD BE LONGER CONTRIBUTING TO DRAINING THE VEHICLE BATTERY. 2) THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL AS IF IT IS PULLED WHILE IN COMMUTE. NOT STARTING RIGHT AWAY OR SHUTS DOWN/STALLS. IT HAS STALLED AND NOT TURNED OVER THOUGH THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WORK. FORTUNATELY THIS HAS HAPPENED AFTER BEING PARKED IN MY PARKING SPOT. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER, BUT THE NEXT MORNING IT WILL START. AFTER READING ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES FOR OTHER FORD FLEX VEHICLES LAST WEEK WITH MY VEHICLE DOING THE ABOVE ACTION I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MODULE. WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER AREA BETWEEN REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND FURTHEST REAR WINDOW WHERE THE SEAT BELT PULLS FROM I FELT I HAD RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, A WEEK EXACTLY LATER I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE WHEN THE EXACT SCENARIO HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, BUT LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED. LEFT ALONE OVERNIGHT I WENT TO START IT THIS MORNING AND IT STARTS. THROUGH OUT THE DURATION OF THIS ISSUE OF STALLING, NOT STARTING, PULLING WHILE IN MOTION AS IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS BEING JERKED THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR WHEN CHECKING SYSTEM THE ONLY WARNING IS PASSENGER SEAT AJAR.

NHTSA ODI #11113573

58,799 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE MALL PARKING LOT ON MID-DAY OF JULY 11, 2018 IN CYPRESS, CA. AS I TURNED ON IGNITION TO START THE ENGINE, IT FAILED TO RUN. IMMEDIATELY I SUSPECTED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT SUPPLYING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE INJECTORS; I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR TOWING SERVICE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. TH…

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I PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE MALL PARKING LOT ON MID-DAY OF JULY 11, 2018 IN CYPRESS, CA. AS I TURNED ON IGNITION TO START THE ENGINE, IT FAILED TO RUN. IMMEDIATELY I SUSPECTED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT SUPPLYING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE INJECTORS; I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR TOWING SERVICE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WILL NOT COVER THIS BROKEN PART -FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO THE ECO BOOST ENGINE BUT NOT ON MY FLEX WHICH IS NATURALLY-ASPIRATED. I LEFT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS WHICH THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ENGINE FAILURE, SO I DROVE THE CAR HOME WHICH UNFORTUNATELY FAILED TO RUN THE NEXT DAY UNTIL TODAY. WHAT WILL I DO WITH THIS FORD FLEX FOR ME TO USE?

NHTSA ODI #11113377

47 miles · Jul 20, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE CAR REPORTS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AS BEING OPEN/AJAR. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE CAR ALARM ACTIVATES RANDOMLY AS WELL. THE FORD DEALER'S CERTIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIANS CHARGE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, BUT I HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE DEFECT CONTINUES …

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THE CAR REPORTS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AS BEING OPEN/AJAR. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE CAR ALARM ACTIVATES RANDOMLY AS WELL. THE FORD DEALER'S CERTIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIANS CHARGE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, BUT I HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE DEFECT CONTINUES TO OCCUR.

NHTSA ODI #11112618

53,071 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. VEHICLE WAS IN AN OUTDOOR PUBLIC PARKING LOT ASSOCIATED WITH A RESTAURANT AFTER A VERY WARM DAY OF DRIVING AROUND TOWN ON PERSONAL ERRANDS. SITUATION OCCURRED AFTER DINNER ON A FRIDAY EVENING. A MAJOR WEEKEND INCONVENIENCE, BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE…

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WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. VEHICLE WAS IN AN OUTDOOR PUBLIC PARKING LOT ASSOCIATED WITH A RESTAURANT AFTER A VERY WARM DAY OF DRIVING AROUND TOWN ON PERSONAL ERRANDS. SITUATION OCCURRED AFTER DINNER ON A FRIDAY EVENING. A MAJOR WEEKEND INCONVENIENCE, BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN THE SAME CLASS? RECALL NUMBER: 16V621000 , FORD NUMBER: 16S31. THE PROBLEM: "FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE". COST TO REPAIR: $380.87. SAFETY ISSUE: CONSIDERABLE INTERNET DOCUMENTATION WHERE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PRESENTING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL ON BOARD THE VEHICLE. RECALL SHOULD COVER ALL CLASS VEHICLES, NOT SOME UNIDENTIFIED PRIVILEGED SUBSET.

NHTSA ODI #11110435

41,500 miles · Jul 2, 2018
Electrical System

POWER WINDOW FAILURE ON ALL 4 WINDOWS. JUST STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11105151

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.