NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
69 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 11, 2024
Structure
Repeated problems with door latch system in 2013 Ford Flex. Door is interpreted as being ajar, despite being closed. Two warning lights/messages to this effect persist, interior lights will not turn off (which drains the battery), doors will not automatically lock while driving in this condition and as I understand it, if an acc…
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Repeated problems with door latch system in 2013 Ford Flex. Door is interpreted as being ajar, despite being closed. Two warning lights/messages to this effect persist, interior lights will not turn off (which drains the battery), doors will not automatically lock while driving in this condition and as I understand it, if an accident occurred, the airbags would NOT deploy due to the doors not being 'locked'. This is a serious safety issue and causes continual drain on the battery if left in this condition. The only way to sometimes get it to recognize the door being shut is to repeatedly close the door, often having to slam the door shut; this can take up to 15 attempts. Driver's door has been cycled & subsequently replaced six months later. We are taking it in now for a likely 2nd replacement on this door alone. The rear right passenger door & front passenger door have each been replaced as well. The first two repairs/replacement on the driver's door were under warranty, the remaining 2 replacements (and upcoming additional replacement) have been and will be at our own cost. This same door latch system has been recalled on three different occasions on other Ford models, yet not on the Flex. There should be a recall on this 2013 Ford Flex and we should get refunds for our out-of-pocket costs for this repeated and known problem.
NHTSA ODI #11582305
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2023
StructureInjury
The rear power lift gate will at times unexpectedly come down on you while you’re standing under it and won’t go back up… it has hit me in my head multiple times… and may be the cause of the compressed disc in my cervical spine… it happens mostly when it’s cold, but now that it’s 65° (Los Angeles) it’s still doing it
NHTSA ODI #11511073
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
The front drivers door latch. When the door is shut their is an alarm stating that the door is ajar. Per Ford their is a Customer Satisfaction Program 19N09 for it. I bought this vechicle Monday June 20, 2022. Per Ford they notified me of this issue as well but they will not fix it as it is past the 84,000 miles/7 years as well …
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The front drivers door latch. When the door is shut their is an alarm stating that the door is ajar. Per Ford their is a Customer Satisfaction Program 19N09 for it. I bought this vechicle Monday June 20, 2022. Per Ford they notified me of this issue as well but they will not fix it as it is past the 84,000 miles/7 years as well as the 120,000 miles and July 31, 2020. This vechile per the records has been services at Thoroughbred Ford in Kansas City, MO since the day it was bought and yet it has not been fixed? And now they are not willing to fix it.
NHTSA ODI #11470631
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2021
Electrical SystemStructure
The passenger-side front door latch sensor is defective. The door latches securely when closed, but the door AJAR warning light remains illuminated. This leads to several issues including: - interior lights don't turn off for a very long time after the door is closed (i.e. on the order of 30 minutes after parking and 5 minute…
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The passenger-side front door latch sensor is defective. The door latches securely when closed, but the door AJAR warning light remains illuminated. This leads to several issues including: - interior lights don't turn off for a very long time after the door is closed (i.e. on the order of 30 minutes after parking and 5 minutes when driving), - the alarm system goes off randomly and frequently when the vehicle is parked and locked (sometimes multiple times per hour), - the feature that auto-locks the doors when the vehicle is in motion does not work, - if one locks the doors while the vehicle is in motion, they will immediately unlock themselves. The above issues lead to several safety concerns including: - the interior lights being on makes it difficult to see while driving at night, - the interior being illuminated after the vehicle is parked and locked creates a security exposure, - the child safety lock features do not function as intended as the doors cannot lock while the vehicle is in motion, - the alarm system repeatedly triggering is annoying as there is no way to turn off the alarm system. That is, if the car is locked, then the system is armed and will trigger in time. The rear passenger-side door had this same issue a few years ago. Ford has a Customer Satisfaction Program recall for this issue (19N09), but it only applies to the driver door and only for cars less than 7 years old.
NHTSA ODI #11429781
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2021
Structure
The right rear door keeps showing that it's open on the dash when its physically closed. The alarm goes off at night when the vehicle is locked because the door will randomly show it's open when its actually closed. I was told by Ford that the parts were $450 plus dollars to fix the problem and that's not including labor. Ive al…
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The right rear door keeps showing that it's open on the dash when its physically closed. The alarm goes off at night when the vehicle is locked because the door will randomly show it's open when its actually closed. I was told by Ford that the parts were $450 plus dollars to fix the problem and that's not including labor. Ive also found out that I'm not the only Flex owner dealing with this issue that should be covered under warranty.
NHTSA ODI #11425246
85,000 miles · Sep 7, 2020
Structure
DOOR ADJAR. DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING. DOOR RANDOMLY UNLOCKS AND SETS ALARM OFF. HAS CAUSED A DEAD BATTERY. WILL LOCK & UNLOCK WHILE TRAVELING.
NHTSA ODI #11353536
100,000 miles · Jun 11, 2020
Structure
DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL DOME LIGHTS, WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. SAYS DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. CAN NOT GET DOME LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, DRAINING BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328284
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
80,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Structure
DOOR AJAR INDICATOR ACTIVATES WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON AND SO DOES THE INDICATOR LIGHT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR. SAME PROBLEM HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ARE REPORTING.
NHTSA ODI #11308856
88,000 miles · Aug 3, 2019
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DOOR LATCH/SENSOR ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHICH RESULTS IN: DOOR AJAR MESSAGE CONSTANTLY BEING GIVEN. THIS RESULTS IN DOME LIGHTING STAYING ON WHILE DOOR IS CLOSED AND DEPLETING THE BATTERY CAUSING AN UNMONITORED ELECTRICAL USE. IT ALSO IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER DUE TO BOTH THE WARNING LIGHT BUT ALSO THE AUDIO ALE…
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HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DOOR LATCH/SENSOR ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHICH RESULTS IN: DOOR AJAR MESSAGE CONSTANTLY BEING GIVEN. THIS RESULTS IN DOME LIGHTING STAYING ON WHILE DOOR IS CLOSED AND DEPLETING THE BATTERY CAUSING AN UNMONITORED ELECTRICAL USE. IT ALSO IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER DUE TO BOTH THE WARNING LIGHT BUT ALSO THE AUDIO ALERT THAT PLAYS WHEN UNDER A CERTAIN SPEED TELLING YOU TO PARK AND CLOSE THE DOOR. THIS TAKES AWAY FROM OTHER POSSIBLE ALERTS THE CARS COULD GIVE YOU DUE TO OVERLY ALERTING THE DRIVER.
NHTSA ODI #11241453
Official recalls
6Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗