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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 28, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SENSOR WILL NOT REGISTER WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT. IT WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO LOCK PROPERLY OR TURN LIGHTS TO TURN OFF BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER THAT THE DOOR IS CLOSED WHEN IT'S CLOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326269

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, EVEN ON HIGHWAY OR INTERSECTION OR FILLING GAS AND THE VEHICLE DON'T RESTART RIGHT AWAY ' ENGINE LIGHTS MISFIRE. AND ENGINE THROTTLE BODY SENSORS/OXYGEN SENSORS BROKE. HAVE FIXED WITHOUT RESOLVE TO ISSUES (RECURRENT). ON MULTIPLE DATES AND MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11258971

81,000 miles · Mar 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

STARTED UP THE CAR AND I GOT POWER STEERING WARNING AND ADVANCTRAC SERVICE WARNINGS. UNABLE TO STEER AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11192514

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

PURCHASED CAR IN FEB. 2013. IN OCT 2014 I BEGAN TAKING MY FLEX TO SUNLAND FORD SERVICE CENTER DUE TO DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WOULD DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN DOOR ASSEMBLY. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST OF THE DOORS APPEARING AJ…

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PURCHASED CAR IN FEB. 2013. IN OCT 2014 I BEGAN TAKING MY FLEX TO SUNLAND FORD SERVICE CENTER DUE TO DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS. THE SERVICE CENTER WOULD DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN DOOR ASSEMBLY. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST OF THE DOORS APPEARING AJAR. FINALLY, SERVICE CENTER DECIDED TO FULLY REPLACE DOOR ASSEMBLY ON BACK DOOR LATCH BUT PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. SERVICE CENTER REPLACED BACK DOOR ASSEMBLY IN DECEMBER OF 2014. MY PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO SHOW THE DOOR AJAR AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2015. I STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM TODAY AND HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO WHICH THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY CONCERNS. 1) IN MOTION: DOME LIGHTS DON'T SHUT OFF HINDERING VISIBILITY FOR THE FIRST 2-5 MINUTES OF NIGHT DRIVING. 2) STATIONARY OR IN MOTION: DOORS CANNOT BE LOCKED WHILE CAR IS ON AND PARKED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. 3) MY AUTO DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING FOR A TIME AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT'S BECAUSE OF THESE DOOR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11118760

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SAYS SHIFT TO PARK AND CONSTANTLY ALERTS BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND WON'T ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND YOU AREN'T ABLE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO TURN OFF THE AL…

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THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SAYS SHIFT TO PARK AND CONSTANTLY ALERTS BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND WON'T ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND YOU AREN'T ABLE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO TURN OFF THE ALARM WITHOUT MANUALLY INSERTING THE KEY IN THE DOOR WHILE PRESSING THE BUTTON.. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. I HAVE SEEN THIS AS AN ISSUE FOR MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE FORD FLEX AS WELL. WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING DURING DRIVING AND BATTERY DRAINAGE THIS CONCERNS ME AS A MOTHER.

NHTSA ODI #11084401

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR KEEPS SAYING AJAR WHEN CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DOORS SHUT AND CAR IS IN MOTION.. OPEN AND SHUT DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT INDICATOR STAYS ON. ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME CAR IS PARKED. DOORS DO NOT LOCK ANYMORE WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. SAFETY CONCERNS THAT DOOR IS NOT SHUT WHEN CAR IS IN MO…

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RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR KEEPS SAYING AJAR WHEN CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DOORS SHUT AND CAR IS IN MOTION.. OPEN AND SHUT DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT INDICATOR STAYS ON. ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME CAR IS PARKED. DOORS DO NOT LOCK ANYMORE WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. SAFETY CONCERNS THAT DOOR IS NOT SHUT WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11082631

83,765 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND NO ONE TOUCHED THE KEY. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. SOMETIMES IT SAYS THE DOOR IS SHUT AND WILL BE FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT'S OPEN. I HAVE SEEN T…

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THE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND NO ONE TOUCHED THE KEY. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. SOMETIMES IT SAYS THE DOOR IS SHUT AND WILL BE FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT'S OPEN. I HAVE SEEN THIS AS AN ISSUE FOR OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IF THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL YOU RECALL IT?

NHTSA ODI #11080869

40,000 miles · Nov 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

REPEATED STEERING FAILURES. INITIAL FAILURE (SPRING 2016) OCCURRED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER COLLISION REPAIR (DECEMBER 2015) DONE AT DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. REPAIRED VEHICLE CAME BACK WITH TIGHTER STEERING THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED. FAILURE IN SPRING 2016 INVOLVED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING UPON STARTUP OF VEHICLE. SH…

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REPEATED STEERING FAILURES. INITIAL FAILURE (SPRING 2016) OCCURRED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER COLLISION REPAIR (DECEMBER 2015) DONE AT DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. REPAIRED VEHICLE CAME BACK WITH TIGHTER STEERING THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED. FAILURE IN SPRING 2016 INVOLVED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING UPON STARTUP OF VEHICLE. SHUT DOWN AND RESTART DID NOT RESTORE POWER STEERING OPERATION. STEERING GEAR REPLACED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SECOND FAILURE (SPRING 2017) INVOLVED LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE REPLACED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIRD FAILURE (NOVEMBER 28, 2017) IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING GEAR UPON VEHICLE STARTUP. SHUT DOWN AND RESTART RESTORED POWER STEERING OPERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11050947

53,000 miles · Oct 23, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN IF THE DOOR IS CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI #11035968

63,000 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

SERVICE ADVANCETRAC AND COLLISION WARNING NOT AVAILABLE NOTIFICATIONS PRESENT WHEN DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY OCCURRING WHEN TURNING. FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) WAS DETECTING A MOTOR POSITION SENSOR FAULT AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SE…

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SERVICE ADVANCETRAC AND COLLISION WARNING NOT AVAILABLE NOTIFICATIONS PRESENT WHEN DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY OCCURRING WHEN TURNING. FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) WAS DETECTING A MOTOR POSITION SENSOR FAULT AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE GRAND LEDGE MICHIGAN FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDING RECALL SAFETY RECALL 15S18 AND BOTH INDICATED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF MY VIN MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL IF THE RECALL STATES FORD FLEX MODELS 2011-2013 ASSEMBLED IN OAKVILLE FOR ALL ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI #11016195

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.