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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

578 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My 2013 Ford Flex had the same issues as many that have been recalled. Ford states that the vehicle is not covered under the recall. My electronic power steering assist is no longer working and the service traction control is on. This has been reported from many other Ford Flex owners but it seems like ford is trying to skimp o…

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My 2013 Ford Flex had the same issues as many that have been recalled. Ford states that the vehicle is not covered under the recall. My electronic power steering assist is no longer working and the service traction control is on. This has been reported from many other Ford Flex owners but it seems like ford is trying to skimp on by with this by saying it’s not covered. All Ford Flex’s 2013 year model should be recalled to replace / inspect the power steering rack assembly

NHTSA ODI #11444530

101,000 miles · Nov 12, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assists warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and waited 30 minutes before restarting the vehicle and driving to her des…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assists warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and waited 30 minutes before restarting the vehicle and driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering gear module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated she had experienced the failure two additional times. The contact towed the vehicle to two different independent mechanics and was informed that the steering gear module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #11440250

237,000 miles · Oct 26, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the power steering assist failed as the power steering assist warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure occurred again soon after the restart. The contact then called her h…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the power steering assist failed as the power steering assist warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure occurred again soon after the restart. The contact then called her husband who used excessive force to drive the vehicle back to the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 237,000.

NHTSA ODI #11438267

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2021
Back Over Prevention

My back up camera is all fog. I see that other years for the ford flex have a recall for fog camera. I believe that it is a safety issue and my auto should have a recall for the camera also.

NHTSA ODI #11437324

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2021
Steering

On 10/17/21 I was driving near my home and during a turn, the steering locked up and the dash read "power steering assist failure". I pulled over, called a tow truck. When they got there, they started it and the steering was working fine. They said to check the power steering fluid. I drove it home, and found it does not h…

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On 10/17/21 I was driving near my home and during a turn, the steering locked up and the dash read "power steering assist failure". I pulled over, called a tow truck. When they got there, they started it and the steering was working fine. They said to check the power steering fluid. I drove it home, and found it does not have power steering fluid. Ford told me it is not under any recall. It is now operating just fine. Not sure what happened.

NHTSA ODI #11437210

88,396 miles · Oct 18, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while coming out of a complete stop, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assists warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. Upon investigation, the contact associated the fail…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while coming out of a complete stop, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assists warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 88,396

NHTSA ODI #11437148

128,000 miles · Oct 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while making various turns at slow speeds, the steering wheel would lock mid turn as the vehicle would shut-off. The contact then stated that the service advance-trac message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle would restart soon after failure. The contact had …

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while making various turns at slow speeds, the steering wheel would lock mid turn as the vehicle would shut-off. The contact then stated that the service advance-trac message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle would restart soon after failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension) however, he was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information about the recall. The contact was then referred to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11435448

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Electrical System

Right rear passanger "Door Ajar" comes on all the time when the door is fully closed. In the beginning was able to get it to stop by opening and closing the door several times, now its continual. The interior lights stay on, causing Hazardous condition while driving, due to inability to see what is in the Rearview Mirrow, Chime…

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Right rear passanger "Door Ajar" comes on all the time when the door is fully closed. In the beginning was able to get it to stop by opening and closing the door several times, now its continual. The interior lights stay on, causing Hazardous condition while driving, due to inability to see what is in the Rearview Mirrow, Chimes continuously.

NHTSA ODI #11434684

130,000 miles · Sep 23, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and she was attempting to start the vehicle, a message for the steering motor sensor fault was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle loss power steering assist functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the messag…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and she was attempting to start the vehicle, a message for the steering motor sensor fault was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle loss power steering assist functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the message disappeared and the vehicle regained power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11434082

122,000 miles · Sep 20, 2021
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the fa…

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve and throttle body assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to contact NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #11433643

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.