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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
60,000 miles · Jun 27, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

MY FORD FLEX STALLS WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 10 MPH (IN RESIDENTIAL AREA) TO 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY. ELECTRICAL IS STILL WORKING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND I LOSE CONTROL OF GAS/BRAKES. THREE WARNING SIGNS POP UP AT THE SAME TIME: CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, COLLISION WARNING NOT AVAILABLE, AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR,…

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MY FORD FLEX STALLS WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 10 MPH (IN RESIDENTIAL AREA) TO 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY. ELECTRICAL IS STILL WORKING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND I LOSE CONTROL OF GAS/BRAKES. THREE WARNING SIGNS POP UP AT THE SAME TIME: CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, COLLISION WARNING NOT AVAILABLE, AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR, THE CODES WILL DISAPPEAR. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT'S OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. I'M TOO SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW. FORD ISNT BEING MUCH HELP. I NEED HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11104246

48,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE INCORRECTLY BELIEVES THE DOORS ARE OPEN WHEN THEY ARE SHUT. THIS PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM LOCKING AT ALL SPEEDS, WHICH IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. IF AN OCCUPANT TRIES TO LOCK THE DOORS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKS THE DOORS. THE ISSUE ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINAT…

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THE VEHICLE INCORRECTLY BELIEVES THE DOORS ARE OPEN WHEN THEY ARE SHUT. THIS PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM LOCKING AT ALL SPEEDS, WHICH IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. IF AN OCCUPANT TRIES TO LOCK THE DOORS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKS THE DOORS. THE ISSUE ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACHES AN APPROPRIATE SPEED WHEN IN USE. THE OPEN/CLOSED STATE OF THE DOOR CHANGES AT RANDOM (WITHOUT THE ACTUAL DOOR BEING OPENED OR CLOSED) AND CAUSES THE ALARM TO RANDOMLY GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE COMBINATION OF THE LIGHTS STAYING ILLUMINATED AND THE ALARM GOING OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED DRAINED AND RUINED THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE. JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11104157

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE DOOR IS SHUT. TWO DOORS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED ALREADY IN THE PAST, NOW A PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED DOOR AND ANOTHER DOOR ARE COMING UP ON THE DASH SCREEN AS DOOR AJAR. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TO COME ON, WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE ALARM TO RANDOMLY GO OFF AT NIGHT …

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THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE DOOR IS SHUT. TWO DOORS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED ALREADY IN THE PAST, NOW A PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED DOOR AND ANOTHER DOOR ARE COMING UP ON THE DASH SCREEN AS DOOR AJAR. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TO COME ON, WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE ALARM TO RANDOMLY GO OFF AT NIGHT WHILE THE ALARM IS SET AND THE DOOR "OPENS AND CLOSES" AS THE CAR CAR IS THINKING IS HAPPENING WITHOUT DISARMING FIRST. THE DOME LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS DISTRACTING AT NIGHT. THE DOORS WILL NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE DRIVING EITHER SINCE THE CAR THINKS THE DOORS ARE OPEN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEYOND FORD.

NHTSA ODI #11103412

55,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
Electrical System

WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED THE LIGHT INDICATES IT IS OPEN ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2014 15 AND 16 FOR THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11103049

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2018
Engine

CAR OVERHEATS AND COOLANT LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #11099822

62,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENE FORD COMPANY (2365 BROWN BRIDGE RD, GAINESVILLE, GA 30504, 770-532-5620), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENE FORD COMPANY (2365 BROWN BRIDGE RD, GAINESVILLE, GA 30504, 770-532-5620), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #11097039

61,251 miles · May 16, 2018
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

FAULTY DOOR SENSORS. DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON EVEN WHEN DOOR IS SHUT. MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AS THE DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR MINUTES AFTER DRIVING MAKING REDUCING VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. WITH THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DOOR IS OPEN OR CLOSED. DUE TO THE DOOR…

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FAULTY DOOR SENSORS. DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON EVEN WHEN DOOR IS SHUT. MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AS THE DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR MINUTES AFTER DRIVING MAKING REDUCING VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. WITH THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DOOR IS OPEN OR CLOSED. DUE TO THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT, THE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY REMAINS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BATTERY. FIXED ONE SENSOR ALREADY, NOW ANOTHER DOOR SENSOR IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, ALONG WITH MY TRUNK SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING EVERY TIME I HIT ANY LITTLE BUMP. THE LIGHTS COME ON AS SOON AS WE START THE CAR, WHETHER MOVING OR PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11094063

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

DOOR LOCK SENSORS. DOOR LOCK SENSORS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT SO CONSTANTLY SHOWING DOORS AJAR. THIS HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DOOR SENSOR WAS REPLACED ALSO. THE COST OF THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY $500. NOW TWO MORE SENSORS ARE BAD. I LEAVE MY HOUSE BEFORE SUNRISE. WHEN I…

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DOOR LOCK SENSORS. DOOR LOCK SENSORS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT SO CONSTANTLY SHOWING DOORS AJAR. THIS HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DOOR SENSOR WAS REPLACED ALSO. THE COST OF THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY $500. NOW TWO MORE SENSORS ARE BAD. I LEAVE MY HOUSE BEFORE SUNRISE. WHEN I GET IN MY CAR IN THE MORNING MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL MY VEHICLE REACHES AN ACCELERATED SPEED. SO I AM PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY UNABLE TO SEE DUE TO INTERIOR LIGHTS HOPING THAT MY NEIGHBORS WHO RUN ARE NOT BEHIND MY VEHICLE OR THE CHILDREN AT THE BUS STOP ACROSS THE STREET ARE CLEAR FROM MY VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, MY ELDERLY MOTHER HAS GOTTEN INTO MY CAR AND FORGOTTEN TO SHUT HER PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. AFTER DRIVING FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES, I REALIZED THAT IN FACT HER DOOR WAS OPEN BUTTHE SENSOR ALWAYS SHOWS IT AS OPEN. I NOW AM FACED WITH SPENDING ANOTHER $700+ TO HAVE THE SENSORS REPLACED. THIS PUTS MY TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SENSOR REPLACEMENT AT OVER $1200. THIS IS ALMOST ONE OF MY PAYCHECKS OR TWO WEEKS WORTH OF PAY! IT IS A SACRIFICE I HAVE TO MAKE AS FORD HAS PRODUCED A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE PRODUCT. I CAN NO LONGER KNOWINGLY PUT MY FAMILY AND THOSE AROUND ME AT RISK ALTHOUGH FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI #11093416

57,000 miles · May 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2013 FORD FLEX WON'T START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A VAPOR LOCK ISSUE. THEY FIXED IT FOR $140 PLUS DOLLARS AND YET, HERE I AM AGAIN WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FUEL PUMP RECALL LIST. THIS TIME AROUND, I…

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MY 2013 FORD FLEX WON'T START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A VAPOR LOCK ISSUE. THEY FIXED IT FOR $140 PLUS DOLLARS AND YET, HERE I AM AGAIN WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FUEL PUMP RECALL LIST. THIS TIME AROUND, I HAD RUN A FEW ERRANDS AFTER ATTENDING MY CHILD'S SCHOOL EVENT, CAME HOME AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER. IT WAS A WARM DAY (AROUND 88 DEGREES). I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW FRUSTRATING THIS IS. WITH KIDS, I NEED

NHTSA ODI #11093269

70,500 miles · May 7, 2018
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND CAUSED THE DOME LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND CAUSED THE DOME LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,500. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11092275

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.