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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.

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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

Air Bags complaints

5 reports
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169,725 miles · Apr 2, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

WE HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HIT A BEAR ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE (AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.) REPAIRED THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A HIGHWAY COLLISION REAR ENDED A PERSON AT 43 -45 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMED YESTERDAY THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. SHE HAD HER GLASSES THROWN OFF HER…

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WE HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HIT A BEAR ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE (AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.) REPAIRED THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A HIGHWAY COLLISION REAR ENDED A PERSON AT 43 -45 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMED YESTERDAY THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. SHE HAD HER GLASSES THROWN OFF HER FACE DASH WAS PUSHED BACK, TROOPER AND TOW TRUCK DRIVER WERE SHOCKED THEY DIDN'T GO OFF. SHE WAS NOT INJURED HAVING CONCUSSIVE SYMPTOMS. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE VIN DOES NOT MATCH THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS THEY WERE RUNNING THE SPECS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN IS SAYING THAT IT IS A CLOTH INTERIOR AND MY CAR HAS LEATHER INTERIOR. IF IT WAS AN UPGRADE IT SHOULD STILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN OF THE CAR?*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11406063

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

39,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTERFACE MODULE PART # 18A812 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPT FOR THE 2 1/2 MONTHS NOW AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PART IS COMIN…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTERFACE MODULE PART # 18A812 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPT FOR THE 2 1/2 MONTHS NOW AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PART IS COMING AND WHY IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARRANTY SINCE IT IS CONSIDERED AN AIRBAG MODULE. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE SINCE THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF I AM IN A COLLISION OR JUST DRIVING AROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928425

9,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED IN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10538112

2,400 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, SHE BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 50 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, SHE BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 50 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,400. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10476566

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.