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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

Electrical System complaints

200 reports
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125,000 miles · Oct 1, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA WOULD GO BLANK, BECOME FUZZY OR DISPLAY IMAGES UPSIDE DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA WOULD GO BLANK, BECOME FUZZY OR DISPLAY IMAGES UPSIDE DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO MCCANDLESS FORD MEADVILLE, INC. (433 BALDWIN ST, MEADVILLE, PA 16335) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL MODULE. THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL MODULE REPLACED OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE BACK UP CAMERA WAS NOT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11362217

124,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AND STATED WHILE SHE WAS CHARGING HER CELLPHONE BY USING THE MIDDLE USB PORTAL, WHEN SHE NOTICED THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AND STATED WHILE SHE WAS CHARGING HER CELLPHONE BY USING THE MIDDLE USB PORTAL, WHEN SHE NOTICED THE WIRING WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #11354385

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2020
Electrical System

THE DOOR LATCHES DO NOT WORK I'VE HAD THEM REPLACED TWICE AND THE ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE AC DOES NOT WORK IT BLOWS OUT HEAT CANNOT TURN HEAT OFF BECAUSE THE TOUCH SCREEN DOES NOT WORK IT IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND IT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT PERIODICALLY

NHTSA ODI #11350229

122,000 miles · Apr 22, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK SENSORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED TO A DOOR BEING AJAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BETTER WAY WHOLESALE AUTOS LOCATED AT (49 RAYTKWICH RD, NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 2093-720-5600) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK SENSORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED TO A DOOR BEING AJAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BETTER WAY WHOLESALE AUTOS LOCATED AT (49 RAYTKWICH RD, NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 2093-720-5600) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #11321884

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2020
Electrical System

DOOR AJAR WARNING SENSOR PREVIOUSLY FAILED ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TWICE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, N/C. NOW THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AJAR SENSOR PERIODICALLY INDICATES THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT AFTER OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR. DOME LIGHTS STAY ON. HAVE TO REPEATEDLY OPEN AND CLOSE DOOR, HARD, TO GET THE SENSOR T…

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DOOR AJAR WARNING SENSOR PREVIOUSLY FAILED ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TWICE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, N/C. NOW THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AJAR SENSOR PERIODICALLY INDICATES THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT AFTER OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR. DOME LIGHTS STAY ON. HAVE TO REPEATEDLY OPEN AND CLOSE DOOR, HARD, TO GET THE SENSOR TO CORRECT. OUT OF WARRANTY, 147,000 MILES ON FLEX.

NHTSA ODI #11319896

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2020
Electrical System

RECEIVED LETTER FROM FORD ADVISING THEY WOULD REPLACE DRIVER DOOR SENSOR DUE TO ISSUES THAT RESULT IN IT READING DOOR AJAR, RESULTING IN DOME LIGHTS STAYING ON AND BATTERY DRAIN. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS ON OTHER DOORS, SPECIFICALLY ON MINE THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, EVEN WH…

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RECEIVED LETTER FROM FORD ADVISING THEY WOULD REPLACE DRIVER DOOR SENSOR DUE TO ISSUES THAT RESULT IN IT READING DOOR AJAR, RESULTING IN DOME LIGHTS STAYING ON AND BATTERY DRAIN. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS ON OTHER DOORS, SPECIFICALLY ON MINE THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT UTILIZED.

NHTSA ODI #11306930

134,000 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering

WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 FORD FLEX THE POWER STEERING DISAPPEARED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF, WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. I STOPPED AT MY DESTINATION BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING. I DROVE IT HOME WI…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 FORD FLEX THE POWER STEERING DISAPPEARED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF, WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. I STOPPED AT MY DESTINATION BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING. I DROVE IT HOME WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. THIS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, FUNCTIONING AT THE START OF THE DAY BUT FAILING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE POWER STEERING FINALLY GAVE OUT ALTOGETHER. I CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT WAS ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 02 OF 2015 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE COVERING FORD FLEXES FROM 2010 TO 2013. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL DATE, WHICH COVERED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED UP UNTIL FEB 28TH OF 2012. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND ONE, HOW DOES A RECALL COVER THE YEARS 2010 TO 2013 BUT HAS AN END DATE FOR ELIGIBILITY OF 2012?, THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 02 OF 2015 AND MY VEHICLE SUFFERED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OF THOSE THAT THE RECALL EXTEND TO. AS WELL AS WHAT WAS DONE TO REMEDY THE PART FAILURE AFTER THE JUNE 02, 2012 DATE THAT MY VEHICLE (SUFFERING THE SAME MALFUNCTION/FAILURE AND MANUFACTURED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE END DATE OF THE RECALL) WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS WITHIN THE SEALED STEERING ASSIST ASSEMBLY ITSELF WITCH SUFFERS HEAT DAMAGE DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF OTHER COMPONENTS. HEAT SHIELDING WITHIN THE UNIT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BREAK DOWN, RESULTING IN THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS TO FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT EXPOSURE. *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI #11302512

47,000 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE POWER LOCKS BEING UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING AND UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN EVEN WHEN PARKED. ALSO, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED ON THEIR OWN AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT REMAINED ILL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE POWER LOCKS BEING UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING AND UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN EVEN WHEN PARKED. ALSO, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED ON THEIR OWN AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WOULD RUN EXCESSIVELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11266411

23,000 miles · Sep 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LEFT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR ALARM COMES ON RANDOMLY AND CAUSES THE DOME LIGHT TO STAY ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. UNSAFE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AND CAUSES STRESS TO THE DRIVER AND TO PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AS THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHOLE MOVING. …

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LEFT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR ALARM COMES ON RANDOMLY AND CAUSES THE DOME LIGHT TO STAY ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. UNSAFE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AND CAUSES STRESS TO THE DRIVER AND TO PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AS THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHOLE MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #11256592

85,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
Electrical System

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED. THE SENSOR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2013 FORD FLEX AS EVIDENT WHEN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. THIS SENSOR CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. IT IS ALSO AFFECTIN…

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FRONT PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED. THE SENSOR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2013 FORD FLEX AS EVIDENT WHEN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. THIS SENSOR CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. IT IS ALSO AFFECTING THE CAR ALARM.

NHTSA ODI #11254262

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.