DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE MY VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AS IF VEHICLE HAD NO GAS. GAS TANK WAS FULL AND VEHICLE SHOWED ME A WRENCH SIGN AS I WAS LOOKING AT MY DASHBOARD
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
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.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
59 reportsI HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND THE FUEL DELIVER ON MY FLEX. IN BOTH CASES I FOUND RECALL NOTICES THAT ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS NOTED IN THE RECALLS. IN THE CASE OF THE POWER STEERING THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. NOW I'M…
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I HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND THE FUEL DELIVER ON MY FLEX. IN BOTH CASES I FOUND RECALL NOTICES THAT ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS NOTED IN THE RECALLS. IN THE CASE OF THE POWER STEERING THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. NOW I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER STILL SAYS MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES THAN ORIGINALLY DETERMINED THAT ARE HAVING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER IN THIS CASE IS VILLAGE FORD, 23535 MICHIGAN, DEARBORN, MI. 48124. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING WHILE I WAS WORKING (9 HOURS) AND WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START.
FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 90,000 MILES. EXACT ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON SOME MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR, JUST NOT MY VIN. PUMP IS IN HIGH DEMAND, PRICES ARE THUS HIGHER THAN USUAL AND ALSO UNAVAILABLE THRU ANYONE BUT FORD DIRECTLY. MY CAR WAS, THANKFULLY, IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP.
WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. 70 MILE A HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT JUST DIES. I GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWEDVTO A MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE FUEL RELAY SENSOR. WE REPLACE THAT AND THE CAR RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOO IT JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAF…
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WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. 70 MILE A HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT JUST DIES. I GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWEDVTO A MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE FUEL RELAY SENSOR. WE REPLACE THAT AND THE CAR RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOO IT JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE AGAIN I CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TAKE IT TO THE MECHANICS AND ONCE AGAIN HE PUTS A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY SENSOR ON. A GAIN IT WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND QUIT AGAIN. FORD TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT IT WAS PROBALY ACTING UP AGAIN. I ASKED IF I COULD BRING IT IN TO BE FIXED AND THEY QUOTED ME SOME OUTRAGEOUS PRICE. THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR. WELL IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED THEN I WOULDNT BE PUT IN THESE DANGEROUS SITUATION S AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF GETTING RAMMED BY A SEMI WHEN MY FUEL PUMP JUST OUT OF THE BLUE DECIDES TO SHUT DOWN . PLEASE REOPEN THE RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
FAILURE OF ENGINE TO START/RUN DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. CURRENT FORD SAFETY RECALL #16S31 (NHTSA #16V621) IS LIMITED ONLY TO FORD/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ECOBOOST TURBOCHARGED ENGINE. THE FAULTY COMPONENT ON MY NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE, FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE #AA8Z-9D370-B, IS THE SAME COMPONENT BE…
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FAILURE OF ENGINE TO START/RUN DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. CURRENT FORD SAFETY RECALL #16S31 (NHTSA #16V621) IS LIMITED ONLY TO FORD/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ECOBOOST TURBOCHARGED ENGINE. THE FAULTY COMPONENT ON MY NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE, FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE #AA8Z-9D370-B, IS THE SAME COMPONENT BEING REPLACED ON VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE #16V621 NHTSA SAFETY RECALL. TO AVOID ENGINES SHUTTING OFF AT SPEED OR NOT STARTING, IT APPEARS THAT THE RECALL WILL NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AS WELL. WE WERE FORTUNATE BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE FAILED SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY, NOT AT 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE'S CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HER AND OUR FOUR GRANDCHILDREN IF THIS FAILURE HAD TAKEN PLACE ON THE INTERSTATE IN BUSY TRAFFIC AT 75 MPH. WHY IS THE SAME COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING ON ECOBOOST TURBOCHARGED ENGINES BEING COVERED BY FORD SAFETY RECALL #16S31 NOT BEING RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES USING THE IDENTICAL COMPONENT? FAILURE OF THE COMPONENT HAS THE SAME EFFECT OF AN ENGINE THAT CUTS OFF AT SPEED OR WILL NOT START. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE POPULAR FORD/LINCOLN FAMILY VEHICLES IS AT STAKE.
CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GARAGE. FUEL PUMP DRIVER AND FUEL PUMP BAD AND MELTED.
MY 2013 FORD FLEX WAS REPAIRED AT MALLOY FORD IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND FAILED TO START, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP DRIVE MODULE AND THE FUEL PUMP. MY FORD FLEX HAS 69K MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL …
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MY 2013 FORD FLEX WAS REPAIRED AT MALLOY FORD IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND FAILED TO START, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP DRIVE MODULE AND THE FUEL PUMP. MY FORD FLEX HAS 69K MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL NOTICES. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THESE REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ' THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND PUMP ' ARE LISTED AS: 1) FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 MANUFACTURER FORD MOTOR COMPANY COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. FORD'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 16S31. 2) FUEL DELIVERY MODULE MAY CRACK AND LEAK NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V812000 COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FORD'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 13S04-S1. THE FIRST PART OF MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE EITHER OF THESE TWO RECALLS ON ITS OWN WEBSITE, OR IN THE AUTOMATED PHONE DIAL-IN SYSTEM THAT I USED TO REACH CUSTOMER SERVICE; I.E., WHEN I INPUT THE FORD RECALL NUMBERS OF 16S31 OR 13S04-S1, THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED WAS THAT NO SUCH RECALL EXISTED! THE SECOND PART OF MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SUPERVISOR THE RESPONSE WAS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AT A SITE THAT DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEMS COVERED BY THE RECALL. I POINTED OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURING SITE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS; RATHER THE PARTS THAT FAILED WHERE INDEED THE PARTS IN THE RECALL MESSAGES. SUPERVISOR RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE A COMPLAINT AND PROVIDED ME A CASE NUMBER. SO I AM WRITING TO MAKE THIS A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THE BILL WAS $1078.
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST STOPS. NO POWER, CANNOT TURN WHEEL, GAS NOR BRAKE PEDAL WORKS. HAVE TO RESTART BY PUSHING IGNITION BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ALREADY AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST MONTH. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO A LOCATION, TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN RETURNING TO THE CAR TO LEAVE, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER, BUT WILL NOT FIRE. THE INDICATORS SHOW THE CAR RUNNING, I.E. DASH LIGHTS ON EVEN AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT.
CAR JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND THE STEERING SYSTEMLOCKS UP. THERE HAS BEEN A KNOWN RECALL FOR A FUEL CONTROL MODULE ON FORD FLEX, THERE IS ALSO KNOWN FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH FORD MAKES AND MODELS. I HAVE LOST POWER TWICE. HAD AT THE MECHANIC LAST MONTH. COULD NOT GET IT TO DIE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK IN THE SHOP. NOW…
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CAR JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND THE STEERING SYSTEMLOCKS UP. THERE HAS BEEN A KNOWN RECALL FOR A FUEL CONTROL MODULE ON FORD FLEX, THERE IS ALSO KNOWN FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH FORD MAKES AND MODELS. I HAVE LOST POWER TWICE. HAD AT THE MECHANIC LAST MONTH. COULD NOT GET IT TO DIE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK IN THE SHOP. NOW IT IS DEAD IN A PARKING LOT AGAIN.
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.
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