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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 · Mar 12, 2021
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11402655

85,000 miles · Feb 21, 2021
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY ALLOWING NO ASSIST UNTIL VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. FORD DOES HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FORD SLIGHTLY OLDER VEHICLES WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENS, VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND TRYING TO TURN, LOW SPEEDS ONLY SO FAR.

NHTSA ODI #11397202

92,349 miles · Jan 29, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WALNUT CREEK FORD LOCATED AT 1800 N MAIN ST, WALNUT C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WALNUT CREEK FORD LOCATED AT 1800 N MAIN ST, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,349.

NHTSA ODI #11390698

110,000 miles · Jan 24, 2021
Suspension

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:05 P.M. WHILE DRIVING THE INTERCHANGE FROM THE SOUTHBOUND 55 FWY TO THE NORTHBOUND 405 FWY (IN COSTA MESA, CA) AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH MY 2013 FORD FLEX SEL BEGAN FISHTAILING ERRATICALLY ' SWERVING AND JERKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN LANES. AFTER A FRIGHTENING 10-20 SECONDS, I WAS ABLE…

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ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:05 P.M. WHILE DRIVING THE INTERCHANGE FROM THE SOUTHBOUND 55 FWY TO THE NORTHBOUND 405 FWY (IN COSTA MESA, CA) AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH MY 2013 FORD FLEX SEL BEGAN FISHTAILING ERRATICALLY ' SWERVING AND JERKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN LANES. AFTER A FRIGHTENING 10-20 SECONDS, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERCHANGE WITHOUT ROLLING THE CAR OR HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE. (AT THE TIME THERE WAS AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD ALL GOING ABOUT 50-60 MPH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY, 65). MY INITIAL STOPPING POINT WAS NOT IN A SAFE LOCATION SO WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GO FORWARD ABOUT 300 FEET TO A SLIGHTLY SAFER LOCATION, I COULD AGAIN FEEL THE CAR START TO FISHTAIL WHILE GOING ONLY 5-10 MPH AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY OFF BALANCE AND NOT CENTERED. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND COULD SEE NO VISIBLE PROBLEM BESIDES MY STEERING WHEEL BEING OFF CENTER. THE CAR WAS TOWED VIA FLAT BED TOW TRUCK 13 MILES TO VILLA FORD IN ORANGE, CA WHERE IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED TO BE A FAILED TOE LINK SUSPENSION ASSOCIATED WITH FORD RECALL 20S04. I WANTED TO REPORT MY EXPERIENCE AND REITERATE THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE!! I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED HAD I HIT SOMETHING LIKE THE FREEWAY CONCRETE BARRIER OR OVER-CORRECTED TOO FAST WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND SWERVE AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DECELERATE QUICK ENOUGH (AND THANK GOODNESS MY THREE KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR WITH ME!) I URGE YOU TO START PUSHING FORD TO TAKE THIS RECALL MORE SERIOUSLY!! I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND ONLY LEARNED OF THIS ISSUE AFTER GOOGLING TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE BECAUSE IT HAD SCARED ME SO MUCH. I WAS SHOCKED AT READING ALL THE STORIES OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORD TO COMMUNICATE THIS ISSUE OUT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED!!

NHTSA ODI #11389659

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

57,000 miles · Nov 20, 2020
Engine

WATER PUMP FAILED IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE PART ON 2013 FORD FLEX. A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD MOTOR CO FOR YEARS AND FORD REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP IS AN INTERNAL PART OF THE MOTOR, THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $2000 .

NHTSA ODI #11375617

125,000 miles · Nov 18, 2020
Steering

WHILE DRIVING, WARNING NOTICE CAME ON SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAULT, THAT VERY MOMENT THE STEERING LOCKED ON ME AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI #11375196

67,000 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC AND APPROACHING A HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TO DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC AND APPROACHING A HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TO DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. ADDITIONALLY, THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FAILURES ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CREST FORD OF NIANTIC (218 FLANDERS RD, NIANTIC, CT 06357, (860) 739-5403) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL SENSOR AND ACL MODULATOR WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY EMAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #11372760

154,000 miles · Oct 16, 2020
Steering

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COULDN'T STEER MY STEERING WHEEL. MY DASH LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND GAVE ME A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY GOT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE AGAIN. IT WAS SCARY AND VERY DANGER…

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I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COULDN'T STEER MY STEERING WHEEL. MY DASH LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND GAVE ME A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY GOT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE AGAIN. IT WAS SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. I NOW HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS HAVING THIS ISSUE. IF FORD REALLY CARED ABOUT OUR SAFETY THEY WOULD AT LEAST MEET US HALFWAY WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS. I'M LOOKING AT OVER $2000 OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND PAINFUL FOR ME AS I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND IT CAUSES STRESS ON MY JOINTS TO DRIVE IT AS IS. I AM NOW TERRIFIED EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11364646

62,000 miles · Oct 5, 2020
Electrical System

PASSENGER DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATES. LOCK WON'T ENGAGE AND DOME LIGHTS REMAIN ON FOR AWHILE.

NHTSA ODI #11362741

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.