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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
200 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Structure

THE DOOR ACTUATORS IN THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST!! MANY FORD FLEX DOOR ACTUATORS ARE DEFECTIVE , THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED . CAUSES YOUR DOORS NOT TO LOCK, MAKES YOUR BATTERY OVERHEAT, DRAINS YOUR BATTERY AND MAKES THE ALARM GO OFF RANDOMLY . I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT HA…

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THE DOOR ACTUATORS IN THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST!! MANY FORD FLEX DOOR ACTUATORS ARE DEFECTIVE , THE CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED . CAUSES YOUR DOORS NOT TO LOCK, MAKES YOUR BATTERY OVERHEAT, DRAINS YOUR BATTERY AND MAKES THE ALARM GO OFF RANDOMLY . I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAD HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1!

NHTSA ODI #11220749

85,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. THIS RESULTS IN LIGHTS STAYING ON INSIDE THE CAR. IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN THE CAR ALARM GOING OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER THE DOOR APPEARS TO BE CLOSED ALL THE WAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS RANDOMLY TURNING ON A…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. THIS RESULTS IN LIGHTS STAYING ON INSIDE THE CAR. IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN THE CAR ALARM GOING OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER THE DOOR APPEARS TO BE CLOSED ALL THE WAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS RANDOMLY TURNING ON AND/OR OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN SUBDIVISION STREET AND MAJOR HIGHWAYS. WHEN IT IS AJAR THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS CAN BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IS BECOMING A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR MY AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT AS IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THESE ISSUES. WHEN THE CAR RANDOMLY SEEMS TO REGISTER THE DOOR AS CLOSED WHILE DRIVING THE DOORS WILL THEN LOCK, BUT OTHERWISE THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK APPROPRIATELY, I DO NOT HAVE ANY PICTURES OR DOCUMENTATION I CAN UPLOAD AT THIS TIME, BUT I WILL TRY TO OBTAIN SOME FOR YOU. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR A FEW MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11220569

162,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' MESSAGE DISPLAYED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION FORD BUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' MESSAGE DISPLAYED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION FORD BURLESON (850 N BURLESON BLVD, BURLESON, TX 76028), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA ODI #11219555

85,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Steering

THIS IS THE SYMPTOM HERE: SUMMARY 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 2…

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THIS IS THE SYMPTOM HERE: SUMMARY 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 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. WHAT OWNERS SHOULD DO 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.

NHTSA ODI #11218176

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2019
Steering

‏GREETING, ‏I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FORD FLEX 2013 CAR. FORD HAS ALREADY RECALL SOME FORD 2013 CARS WITH RECALL#15S18 BUT AND EXCLUDES SOME OF THEM FROM COVERING THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE FAULTS IN THOSE MODELS. ‏THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE COLLISIONS, BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT …

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‏GREETING, ‏I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FORD FLEX 2013 CAR. FORD HAS ALREADY RECALL SOME FORD 2013 CARS WITH RECALL#15S18 BUT AND EXCLUDES SOME OF THEM FROM COVERING THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE FAULTS IN THOSE MODELS. ‏THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE COLLISIONS, BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHERE THE SAME ISSUE AND ERROR MESSAGE, AS WELL AS THE REPAIR METHOD, AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, AND THE COMPLETE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE WITH AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. EVERYONE COMPLAINS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY STILL EVADES RESPONSIBILITY. ‏THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE AGENT, AND THE SOLUTION IS MATCHED WITH THE MENTION IN THE RECALL. ‏DESIRED SETTLEMENT: ‏I THINK THE RECALL #15S18 SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND VERIFIED TO INCLUDE ALL SUBSEQUENT CARS FOR THAT MODEL. PLEASE NOTE: I CONTACTED BBB AND FILE COMPLAINT AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO COMMUNICATE WITH NHTSA TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11217122

120,000 miles · May 8, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED GERMAIN FORD OF BEAVERCREEK (LOCATED AT 2356 HELLER DR, BEAVERCREEK, OH 45434, (937) 429-1300) TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED GERMAIN FORD OF BEAVERCREEK (LOCATED AT 2356 HELLER DR, BEAVERCREEK, OH 45434, (937) 429-1300) TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11206277

135,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Steering

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER .WE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A GRASS MEDIAN STRIP . HAD THE CAR TOWED TO 5 STAR FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF SENSOR PROBLEMS . WHEN I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECAL ON IT I WAS TOLD NO I DID NOT HAVE THE $6,200.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE RACK TWO SENSORS …

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I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER .WE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A GRASS MEDIAN STRIP . HAD THE CAR TOWED TO 5 STAR FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF SENSOR PROBLEMS . WHEN I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECAL ON IT I WAS TOLD NO I DID NOT HAVE THE $6,200.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE RACK TWO SENSORS AND RED LASH THE COMPUTER SO THE CAR IS IN MY DRIVE WAY WAITING FOR THE FUNDS TO BE REPAIRED .THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHEN IT WENT OUT I LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER

NHTSA ODI #11206130

64,000 miles · Apr 28, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. 70 MILE A HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT JUST DIES. I GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWEDVTO A MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE FUEL RELAY SENSOR. WE REPLACE THAT AND THE CAR RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOO IT JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAF…

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WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. 70 MILE A HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT JUST DIES. I GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWEDVTO A MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE FUEL RELAY SENSOR. WE REPLACE THAT AND THE CAR RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOO IT JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE AGAIN I CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK AND TAKE IT TO THE MECHANICS AND ONCE AGAIN HE PUTS A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY SENSOR ON. A GAIN IT WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND QUIT AGAIN. FORD TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT IT WAS PROBALY ACTING UP AGAIN. I ASKED IF I COULD BRING IT IN TO BE FIXED AND THEY QUOTED ME SOME OUTRAGEOUS PRICE. THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR. WELL IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED THEN I WOULDNT BE PUT IN THESE DANGEROUS SITUATION S AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF GETTING RAMMED BY A SEMI WHEN MY FUEL PUMP JUST OUT OF THE BLUE DECIDES TO SHUT DOWN . PLEASE REOPEN THE RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #11204273

60,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LATCHES FAIL IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHIN 2 YEARS OF EACH OTHER. NO MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, I GOT A WARNING STATING THE RIGHT REAR (AND NOW THE RIGHT FRONT) DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS. THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE CHILD LOCKS FROM …

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I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LATCHES FAIL IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHIN 2 YEARS OF EACH OTHER. NO MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, I GOT A WARNING STATING THE RIGHT REAR (AND NOW THE RIGHT FRONT) DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS. THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE CHILD LOCKS FROM ENGAGING SINCE IT THINKS THE DOORS ARE OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11196869

75,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LATCHES FAIL IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHIN 2 YEARS OF EACH OTHER. NO MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, I GET A WARNING STATING THE RIGHT FRONT (AND PREVIOUSLY THE RIGHT REAR) DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS. THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE CHILD LOCK…

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I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LATCHES FAIL IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHIN 2 YEARS OF EACH OTHER. NO MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, I GET A WARNING STATING THE RIGHT FRONT (AND PREVIOUSLY THE RIGHT REAR) DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS. THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE CHILD LOCKS FROM ENGAGING SINCE IT THINKS THE DOORS ARE OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11196868

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.