IllustrationTHE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED!
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Flex years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
9925–50K
13150–75K
8375–100K
72100–150K
21150K+
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 reportsDOOR AJAR WARNING ON WITH DOOR CLOSED, WONT LOCK DOORS WHEN PUT IN MOTION, ALARM GOING OFF, DEALER WANTS $1200 TO FIX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MACE FORD, 4501 S US HWY 41, TERRE HAUTE, IN 47802), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MACE FORD, 4501 S US HWY 41, TERRE HAUTE, IN 47802), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND RESET THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. UPON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND RESET THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. UPON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CITED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
DOOR AJAR INDICATOR REMAINS ON WHEN DOOR IS NOT AJAR. ALSO, ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY USUALLY WHEN PARKED AND LOCKED.
I HAVE A 2013 FORD FLEX AND THE DOORS ALWAYS SAY THEY ARE OPEN EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE CLOSED. IT CAUSES ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO LOCK MY DOORS, THE DOME LIGHT TO STAY ON WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN REVERSING AT NIGHT OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, AND I BELIEVE IT'S UNSAFE BEING THAT I HAVE CHILDREN AND I CAN'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THE DOORS…
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I HAVE A 2013 FORD FLEX AND THE DOORS ALWAYS SAY THEY ARE OPEN EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE CLOSED. IT CAUSES ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO LOCK MY DOORS, THE DOME LIGHT TO STAY ON WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN REVERSING AT NIGHT OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, AND I BELIEVE IT'S UNSAFE BEING THAT I HAVE CHILDREN AND I CAN'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THE DOORS ARE CLOSED ACCURATELY. I'VE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND GET THE RUN AROUND. THE DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON UNTIL I'VE HIT 10MPH. REVERSING WITH A BRIGHT DOME LIGHT ON IS VERY DANGEROUS. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE LIGHT STAYS ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,100.
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SAYS SHIFT TO PARK AND CONSTANTLY ALERTS BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND WON'T ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND YOU AREN'T ABLE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO TURN OFF THE AL…
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THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SAYS SHIFT TO PARK AND CONSTANTLY ALERTS BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN AND WON'T ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND YOU AREN'T ABLE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO TURN OFF THE ALARM WITHOUT MANUALLY INSERTING THE KEY IN THE DOOR WHILE PRESSING THE BUTTON.. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. I HAVE SEEN THIS AS AN ISSUE FOR MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE FORD FLEX AS WELL. WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING DURING DRIVING AND BATTERY DRAINAGE THIS CONCERNS ME AS A MOTHER.
PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR IS ONLY WORKING HALF OF THE TIME. THE DOOR IS CLOSED BUT THE ALARM SHOWS THE DOOR AS OPENED. OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR AGAIN AND AGAIN WILL EVENTUALLY WORK TO REGISTER THE DOOR AS CLOSED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I AM NEVER REALLY SURE IF THE DOOR IS CLOSED. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHOWN AS OPEN THE INTE…
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PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR IS ONLY WORKING HALF OF THE TIME. THE DOOR IS CLOSED BUT THE ALARM SHOWS THE DOOR AS OPENED. OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR AGAIN AND AGAIN WILL EVENTUALLY WORK TO REGISTER THE DOOR AS CLOSED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I AM NEVER REALLY SURE IF THE DOOR IS CLOSED. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHOWN AS OPEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON.
RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR KEEPS SAYING AJAR WHEN CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DOORS SHUT AND CAR IS IN MOTION.. OPEN AND SHUT DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT INDICATOR STAYS ON. ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME CAR IS PARKED. DOORS DO NOT LOCK ANYMORE WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. SAFETY CONCERNS THAT DOOR IS NOT SHUT WHEN CAR IS IN MO…
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RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR KEEPS SAYING AJAR WHEN CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DOORS SHUT AND CAR IS IN MOTION.. OPEN AND SHUT DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT INDICATOR STAYS ON. ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME CAR IS PARKED. DOORS DO NOT LOCK ANYMORE WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. SAFETY CONCERNS THAT DOOR IS NOT SHUT WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION.
Official recalls
620V072000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.