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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

21 reports
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84,000 miles · Dec 7, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that she attempted to close the rear passenger’s side door however, the door failed to latch. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The cont…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that she attempted to close the rear passenger’s side door however, the door failed to latch. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that while closing the front driver’s side door, the door failed to latch securely. Due to the failure, the contact had to drive holding the door closed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided the number to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11496459

170,000 miles · Nov 7, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped or attempting to drive over 10 MPH, the door ajar warning light illuminated, indicating that the front and rear passenger’s side doors were open however, the doors were closed. The contact then stated that while attempting to lock all t…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped or attempting to drive over 10 MPH, the door ajar warning light illuminated, indicating that the front and rear passenger’s side doors were open however, the doors were closed. The contact then stated that while attempting to lock all the doors, the doors unlocked instead and activated the interior lighting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000

NHTSA ODI #11492641

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2021
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon opening the front passenger’s and driver’s side doors, a loud grinding sound was coming from the dashboard. The contact also stated that both doors would intermittently fail to unlock upon depressing the unlock button. The contact also noticed that the vehicle was c…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon opening the front passenger’s and driver’s side doors, a loud grinding sound was coming from the dashboard. The contact also stated that both doors would intermittently fail to unlock upon depressing the unlock button. The contact also noticed that the vehicle was consuming fuel soon after refueling. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11420472

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2021
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I had a recall for the driver door latch to be replaced. The very day that it was replaced, I get in, start my vehicle and the passenger door light comes on showing that it's open but it wasn't. I immediately go back inside to ask the service department since they literally just replaced the recalled drivers door latch. They sta…

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I had a recall for the driver door latch to be replaced. The very day that it was replaced, I get in, start my vehicle and the passenger door light comes on showing that it's open but it wasn't. I immediately go back inside to ask the service department since they literally just replaced the recalled drivers door latch. They stated that "it's a coincidence " and that it would cost to fix it. I drove it for as long as I could but my alarm would randomly go off and lights start blinking. I was afraid I'd come out oand my vehicle not start due to the battery being dead because of the alarm and lights going off. I broke down and paid to have the passenger door light fixed which the Ford service department told me it would. The EXACT same thing happened and now my back passenger door light keeps coming on!! Alarm randomly goes off and lights blink. I can't afford to gix this again. They told me it would fix the problem yet once they replaced the recalled door latch this has now happened with other doors.

NHTSA ODI #11420043

91,722 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Latches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN ON MY 2013 FORD FLEX VIN# [XXX] I HAD A RECALL REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2020 FOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 19N09 AS SOON AS I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER THE REPLACED RECALL, THE PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT CAME ON SAYING IT WAS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. I WENT BACK INSIDE AND ASKED…

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I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN ON MY 2013 FORD FLEX VIN# [XXX] I HAD A RECALL REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2020 FOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 19N09 AS SOON AS I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER THE REPLACED RECALL, THE PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT CAME ON SAYING IT WAS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. I WENT BACK INSIDE AND ASKED ABOUT IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, THAT ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE WAS. IT WAS VERY STRANGE THAT IT HAPPENED TO POP UP DIRECTLY AFTER GETTING THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED. AS SOON AS I SAVE ENOUGH MONEY, I WILL GET IT FIXED BUT IF THE DRIVER SIDE HAD A WARRANTY, I FEEL THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULD TOO. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11387912

82,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK LATCHED SECURELY HOWEVER, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DOORS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK LATCHED SECURELY HOWEVER, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DOORS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JOHNSON CITY FORD (3519 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601), AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR LATCH WOULD BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #11337613

100,000 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK THE DOOR SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SALERNO DUANE FORD LOCATED AT 267 BROAD ST, SUMMIT, NJ 07901, WHO DIAGNOSED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK THE DOOR SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SALERNO DUANE FORD LOCATED AT 267 BROAD ST, SUMMIT, NJ 07901, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT A SIMILAR FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11326812

70,500 miles · May 7, 2018
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND CAUSED THE DOME LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND CAUSED THE DOME LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,500. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11092275

96,000 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HER CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY FORD OF MT. AIRY (302 CENTURY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HER CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY FORD OF MT. AIRY (302 CENTURY DR, MT AIRY, MD 21771, (301) 829-2800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11080628

40,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11078790

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.