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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

Seat Belts complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2021
Seat Belts

IN SEPTEMBER, THE DRIVERS SIDE SECOND ROW SEATBELT BROKE, THE MALE CONNECTION. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $750 TO REPLACE. WE STARTED USING THE THIRD ROW INSTEAD. JUST TODAY, THE FEMALE CONNECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SECOND ROW SEAT BROKE. FORD IS TELLING ME THEY WON'T REPLACE TH…

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IN SEPTEMBER, THE DRIVERS SIDE SECOND ROW SEATBELT BROKE, THE MALE CONNECTION. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $750 TO REPLACE. WE STARTED USING THE THIRD ROW INSTEAD. JUST TODAY, THE FEMALE CONNECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SECOND ROW SEAT BROKE. FORD IS TELLING ME THEY WON'T REPLACE THE SEATBELTS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEM. AND I DON'T THINK SUCH AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD BE LEFT TO US FOR A VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. DO I DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN UNSECURED AND JUST HAVE OUR FAMILY SUE FORD WHEN WE ARE ALL DEAD?

NHTSA ODI #11405154

35,000 miles · Jan 31, 2020
Seat BeltsSeats

2ND ROW SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING OR BROKEN. DRIVER SIDE IS NOT LATCHING OR RETRACTING, SO NONE CAN USE THAT SEAT. PASSENGER SIDE THE BUCKLE COVER WONT STAY ON, AND IT HAS SOME SMALL SHARP OBJECTS THAT CAN CUT SOMEONE OR MY KIDS.

NHTSA ODI #11306285

101,000 miles · Jan 9, 2020
Seat Belts

THE RIGHT SIDE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE MIDDLE ROW IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE BY THE KIDS AND THE RIGHT SIDE DOESN'T EVEN WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11298148

70,000 miles · Oct 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSeat BeltsSeats

FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE LEFT MR AND DISABLED CHILE STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. NO HELP FROM FORD. PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR OUT, LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF INSIDE CAB UNTIL YOU REACH 10 MPH. IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO BACK UP AT NIGHT OR TO SEE …

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FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE LEFT MR AND DISABLED CHILE STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. NO HELP FROM FORD. PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR OUT, LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF INSIDE CAB UNTIL YOU REACH 10 MPH. IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO BACK UP AT NIGHT OR TO SEE OUT OF VEHICLE TO DRIVE. DRIVER SEAT WONT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT TO MOVE. 2ND ROW DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BROKEN FORD WONT REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11267006

86,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT, LATCH, AND UNLATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERRY FORD OF POWAY (12740 POWAY RD, POWAY, CA 92064, (858) 748-1400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT, LATCH, AND UNLATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERRY FORD OF POWAY (12740 POWAY RD, POWAY, CA 92064, (858) 748-1400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE SECOND ROW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT JAMMED AND UNJAMMED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED FORD EVENTUALLY BOUGHT BACK MY CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW BUT NEVER SENT ME A PRE-AID MAIL PACKAGE TO SHIP BACK THE DAMAGED AIRBAG-SEATBELT COMPONENTS I HAD REPLACED FROM MY CAR THE YEAR PRIOR. *JB *BF *JB

NHTSA ODI #11240846

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Seat BeltsSteering

WELL I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND A LIGHT COME UP SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE AFTER 10 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUPER HARD TO TURN AND TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE THANK GOD I DID NOT HIT A CAR BUT I CALL TO THE DEALER I TELL THEM THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND THEY SAID NOT FOR MY CAR WHEN THIS IS HAPPE…

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WELL I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND A LIGHT COME UP SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE AFTER 10 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUPER HARD TO TURN AND TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE THANK GOD I DID NOT HIT A CAR BUT I CALL TO THE DEALER I TELL THEM THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND THEY SAID NOT FOR MY CAR WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING AND ALL FORD FLEX 2013 THE PART COST $1300 BRAND NEW PLUS LABOR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11114926

58,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. RESULTS IN CONSTANT DINGING OF DOOR AJAR ALARM AND DOME LIGHTS ON. SEAT BELTS BECOME UNBUCKLED SPONTANEOUSLY IN MIDDLE BENCH SEAT WHILE IN MOTION. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF THEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OUR KIDS.

NHTSA ODI #10924374

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2016
Seat Belts

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR BACKSEATS' SEATBELTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. THEY CONSTANTLY GET STUCK, DON'T CLICK IN, DON'T RETRACT, AND MORE RECENTLY, PLASTICS PARTS FELL OFF. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO COCONUT POINT FORD IN ESTERO, FL NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING OF SEATBELT ISSUES. LAST WEEK, THEY TOLD US …

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WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR BACKSEATS' SEATBELTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. THEY CONSTANTLY GET STUCK, DON'T CLICK IN, DON'T RETRACT, AND MORE RECENTLY, PLASTICS PARTS FELL OFF. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO COCONUT POINT FORD IN ESTERO, FL NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING OF SEATBELT ISSUES. LAST WEEK, THEY TOLD US THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE TWO REAR SEATBELT MECHANISMS (FOR $870.06!). A DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, WE FOUND THREE PLASTIC PARTS TO THE SEATBELTS (SEE PHOTO) ON THE SEAT. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THAT THE SEATBELTS IN THE CAR ARE DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT PROTECT US AND OUR FOUR CHILDREN IN THE EVENT OF IMPACT. THIS CAR IS A 2013, AND THE SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10917203

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2016
Seat BeltsStructure

PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR IS TELLING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS SHUT. IT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK OR ALLOW ME TO LOCK THE DOOR WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION (IT POPS BACK UP). WHEN MOTOR IS TURNED OFF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON. FOR A LONG TIME INDICATING THAT THE DOOR IS NOT SHUT. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBL…

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PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR IS TELLING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS SHUT. IT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK OR ALLOW ME TO LOCK THE DOOR WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION (IT POPS BACK UP). WHEN MOTOR IS TURNED OFF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON. FOR A LONG TIME INDICATING THAT THE DOOR IS NOT SHUT. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM HAS WORSENED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. AND NOW THE SEATBELT LATCH DOESNT WORK PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #10852425

2,887 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 2013 AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE PROCESS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE - SYNC ISSUES, DEAD BATTERY AND THREE SEATBELT REPLACEMENTS. MY VEHICLE HAS REAR AIRBAG SEATBELTS SUPPOSEDLY FOR SAFETY. INSTEAD, MY KIDS HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE BELTS ARE SO POORLY DESIGNED AS SOON AS THE BLA…

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I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 2013 AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE PROCESS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE - SYNC ISSUES, DEAD BATTERY AND THREE SEATBELT REPLACEMENTS. MY VEHICLE HAS REAR AIRBAG SEATBELTS SUPPOSEDLY FOR SAFETY. INSTEAD, MY KIDS HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE BELTS ARE SO POORLY DESIGNED AS SOON AS THE BLACK PLASTIC COVERING THE BELT BREAKS, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THIS IS WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE. I'VE APPROACHED FORD AND SPRINGHILL FORD IN DUNDEE WITHOUT ANY SATISFACTION. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK MY CAR INTO SPRINGHILL FORD FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE ISSUE IS DEBRIS WAS IN THE BUCKLES. THE SEATBELTS ARE IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE KIDS SIT, THERE WILL BE DEBRIS. WHY IS IT ACCEPTABLE THAT DEBRIS BREAKS THE BELTS? I'VE PAID FAR TOO MUCH MONEY (ADDITIONAL FOR THIS "SAFETY" FEATURE) TO HAVE A VEHICLE I CAN'T TRUST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561947

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.