IllustrationINTERIOR LIGHTING HAS NO MANUAL OFF SWITCH AND REMAINS ON DURING DRIVING DUE TO INCORRECLTY REPORTED "DOOR AJAR"
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Flex years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
9925–50K
13150–75K
8375–100K
72100–150K
21150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
200 reportsON THE EVENING OF 12/18/15 (10:00PM), AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR, NONE OF THE CONTROLS LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WOULD OPERATE. I HAD NO TURN SIGNALS AND NO WIPERS AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. A MINOR INCONVENIENCE WAS THAT I COULD NOT OPERATE ANY SYSTEMS NOR THE RADIO FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TUR…
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ON THE EVENING OF 12/18/15 (10:00PM), AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR, NONE OF THE CONTROLS LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WOULD OPERATE. I HAD NO TURN SIGNALS AND NO WIPERS AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. A MINOR INCONVENIENCE WAS THAT I COULD NOT OPERATE ANY SYSTEMS NOR THE RADIO FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AT HOME THE CAR ACTED AS THOUGH THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN REMOVED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO KILL THE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY THE FOLLOWING MORNING ALL SYSTEMS WERE WORKING AGAIN.
THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO TURN ON. AT NIGHT THIS IS A PROBLEM. THE ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES DURING THE DAY & NIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH AS OF 12/18/15.
DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH AJAR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. READS "DOOR AJAR" WITH DOOR CLOSED, HAVE TO REPEATEDLY OPEN AND CLOSE DOOR TO GET THE SENSOR TO READ CORRECTLY, AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK RIGHT. ANTI-THEFT ALARM WILL RANDOMLY ENGAGE BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS TELLING IT THE DOOR IS OPENED AFTER BEING LOCKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER, DRIVER, AND LIFTGATE DOOR SENSORS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE CONSTANTLY UNLOCKED DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE CONSTANTLY ACTIVATED DESPITE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER, DRIVER, AND LIFTGATE DOOR SENSORS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE CONSTANTLY UNLOCKED DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE CONSTANTLY ACTIVATED DESPITE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID FROM THE TERMINAL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I THOUGHT I WAS GIVEN BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR MAY BE THE CAUSE. FROM NO CLEAR CONNEC…
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THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID FROM THE TERMINAL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I THOUGHT I WAS GIVEN BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR MAY BE THE CAUSE. FROM NO CLEAR CONNECTION.
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING
THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR COMES ON WHEN YOU GET IN AND CLOSE THE DOOR.WHILE DRIVING THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING SENSOR COMES ON WHEN YOU STOP OR YIELD.THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER WHILE DRIVING. IT'S SENSING DOOR AJAR THEREFORE LEAVES ALL DONE LIGHTS ON.IF YOU SLAM DOOR REALLY HARD SOMETIMES LIGHTS WILL GO OFF BUT YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WAT…
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THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR COMES ON WHEN YOU GET IN AND CLOSE THE DOOR.WHILE DRIVING THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING SENSOR COMES ON WHEN YOU STOP OR YIELD.THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER WHILE DRIVING. IT'S SENSING DOOR AJAR THEREFORE LEAVES ALL DONE LIGHTS ON.IF YOU SLAM DOOR REALLY HARD SOMETIMES LIGHTS WILL GO OFF BUT YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WATCH TO MAKE SURE.AT NIGHT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE.VERY UNSAFE.SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY IN FEAR OF IT DYING AND THEN BE LEFT STRANDED.THEY SAID IT'S THE DOOR HINGE AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 20 MORE DAYS, I CAN'T IMAGINE DEALING WITH THIS FOR THAT LONG FOR SURE I'M GONNA NEED A NEW BATTERY.
RIGHT FRONT DOOR LATCH SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT THINK DOOR IS CLOSED AND DOORS WILL NOT AUTOLOCK AND DOOR ADJAR WARNING IS PRESENT ON INFORMATION PANEL. SOMETIMES SLAMMING OR CLOSING GENTLY WILL CLEAR THE WARNING, TYPICALLY REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CLEAR.
RECENTLY, WHEN DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY FEELS AS THOUGH IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. I COASTED TO A PARKING LOT OFF OF THE SERVICE ROAD, TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE LATELY. FOR MONTHS I HAVE DEALT WITH DOORS SHOWING AJAR, EVEN WHEN CLOSED. INSIDE LIGHTS STAY ON... …
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RECENTLY, WHEN DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY FEELS AS THOUGH IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. I COASTED TO A PARKING LOT OFF OF THE SERVICE ROAD, TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE LATELY. FOR MONTHS I HAVE DEALT WITH DOORS SHOWING AJAR, EVEN WHEN CLOSED. INSIDE LIGHTS STAY ON... AND ALARM SOUNDS OFTEN. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER DOOR, NOW THE DRIVER DOOR AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CONSTANTLY SAY AJAR. ALARM SOUNDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE EVERY NIGHT IN ORDER FOR THIS NOT TO HAPPEN. RECENTLY HAD TO PURCHASE NEW BATTERY. PASSENGER DOOR WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME... BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO REPAIR DOOR LATCHES ON DRIVER DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR, WHICH ON A 2013 VEHICLE IS RIDICULOUS. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD... AND SOON!
Official recalls
620V072000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.