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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 · May 3, 2016
Electrical System

DOOR AJAR SENSOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING ON THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND CORRECTED ITSELF AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR SENSOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. NOW BOTH ARE MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND CHIME TO TELL ME TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AT ANY TIME. TH…

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DOOR AJAR SENSOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING ON THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND CORRECTED ITSELF AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR SENSOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. NOW BOTH ARE MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND CHIME TO TELL ME TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AT ANY TIME. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE DOORS TO AUTOMATICALLY STAY UNLOCKED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE). I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH A LIST OF HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS AS SEEN HERE ONLINE BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BUT WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO CHARGE ME $109.00 PER HOUR TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10862814

35,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Structure

WE HAVE HAD BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES FAIL. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF. WE HAVE HAD BOTH REPLACED BY THE DEALER, AT A COST OF APPROX. $500 FOR EACH.

NHTSA ODI #10861970

48,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Structure

FRONT DRIVER DOOR LATCH SENSOR DEFECTIVE. THIS RESULTS IN THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES; INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON, EVEN WHEN DRIVING; DOORS CANNOT BE LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE CAR IF KEYS AREN'T IN IGNITION (DUE TO FEATURE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT KEYS FROM BEING LOCKED IN THE CAR); ALARM GOES OFF …

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FRONT DRIVER DOOR LATCH SENSOR DEFECTIVE. THIS RESULTS IN THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES; INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON, EVEN WHEN DRIVING; DOORS CANNOT BE LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE CAR IF KEYS AREN'T IN IGNITION (DUE TO FEATURE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT KEYS FROM BEING LOCKED IN THE CAR); ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES; BATTERY DRAINS BECAUSE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL BATTERY-SAVER ALGORITHM TURNS THEM OFF...ALTHOUGH AFTER MANY CYCLES, BATTERY IS DRAINED DOWN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE: A) INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINING ON MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT; PERSONAL SAFETY RISK SINCE DOORS CAN'T BE LOCKED; DEAD BATTERY RENDERS CAR INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10861923

90,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DOOR AJAR SENSORS. THE DASH BOARD CLUSTER INDICATES THAT CAR DOORS ARE OPEN ( AJAR ) WHEN THEY ARE NOT. THIS CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY UNTIL THE CAR IS DRIVEN, ALARM TO SOUND AT NIGHT, WHICH AT TIMES DRAINS MY BATTERY. AUTO DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. I REPORTED THIS ONCE BEFORE, HERE AND TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, NOT SURE …

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DOOR AJAR SENSORS. THE DASH BOARD CLUSTER INDICATES THAT CAR DOORS ARE OPEN ( AJAR ) WHEN THEY ARE NOT. THIS CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY UNTIL THE CAR IS DRIVEN, ALARM TO SOUND AT NIGHT, WHICH AT TIMES DRAINS MY BATTERY. AUTO DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. I REPORTED THIS ONCE BEFORE, HERE AND TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, NOT SURE OF THE DATE, BUT IN 2015 NO RESPONSE!!

NHTSA ODI #10861776

38,000 miles · Apr 24, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DOOR AJAR SENSOR ON PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT RESET. EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10861148

31,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Electrical System

FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR AJAR WARNINGS ACTIVATE WHEN DOORS ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED, RESULTING IN PROBLEMS WITH AUTO DOOR LOCK FEATURE, INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINING ON, AND KEYLESS ENTRY PANEL LIGHTS REMAINING ILLUMINATED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION BOTH IN CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10860374

35,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREET, A MAINTENANCE INDICATOR LIT UP ON THE DASH AND THERE WAS NO POWER (ACCELERATION.) VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE OR REV THE ENGINE. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED OFF. UPON RESTART VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. TURNED AROUND TO HEAD HOME. PULLED OU…

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DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREET, A MAINTENANCE INDICATOR LIT UP ON THE DASH AND THERE WAS NO POWER (ACCELERATION.) VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE OR REV THE ENGINE. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED OFF. UPON RESTART VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. TURNED AROUND TO HEAD HOME. PULLED OUT FROM SIDE STREET AND IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. THIS TIME WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC COMING A SEVERE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. AGAIN, TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING RESOLVED (TEMPORARILY) THE ISSUE. IN THE NEXT 3 MILES TO GET HOME, IT OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES. FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY, PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED. FORD KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND HAS "COVERED" SOME MODELS, BUT STILL IGNORES THE DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #10860321

100 miles · Apr 17, 2016
Electrical System

FALSE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR. DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED BUT SENSOR REGULARLY INDICATES IT IS AJAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND WHEN IT IS MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #10859968

59,000 miles · Apr 2, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

BOTH PASSENGER DOOR AJAR SENSORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING KEEPING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON WHICH IS DRAINING BATTERY. LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL A CERTAIN SPEED IS REACHED WHILE DRIVING.(CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE!!!) ALSO ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF RANDOMLY AND THE FREQUENCY IS INCREASING.

NHTSA ODI #10853087

55,000 miles · Mar 31, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 201…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2013 MODEL VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10852773

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.