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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.

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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
85,000 miles · Mar 29, 2018
Electrical System

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SENSOR IS ON SAYING DOOR IS NOT CLOSED. DOOR IS CLOSED AND SENSOR WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS KEEPS THE INSIDE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ON FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER YOU START DRIVING OR AFTER YOU TURN THE CAR OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BACK UP AND THE INSIDE LIGHTS…

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THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SENSOR IS ON SAYING DOOR IS NOT CLOSED. DOOR IS CLOSED AND SENSOR WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS KEEPS THE INSIDE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ON FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER YOU START DRIVING OR AFTER YOU TURN THE CAR OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BACK UP AND THE INSIDE LIGHTS IN THE CAR ARE ON.

NHTSA ODI #11082041

83,765 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND NO ONE TOUCHED THE KEY. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. SOMETIMES IT SAYS THE DOOR IS SHUT AND WILL BE FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT'S OPEN. I HAVE SEEN T…

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THE DOOR SENSOR KEEPS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT'S CLOSED. THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN IT'S LOCKED AND NO ONE TOUCHED THE KEY. AND THE LIGHT ON IN THE CAR WILL STAY ON ALL NIGHT BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. SOMETIMES IT SAYS THE DOOR IS SHUT AND WILL BE FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT'S OPEN. I HAVE SEEN THIS AS AN ISSUE FOR OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IF THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL YOU RECALL IT?

NHTSA ODI #11080869

96,000 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HER CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY FORD OF MT. AIRY (302 CENTURY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HER CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY FORD OF MT. AIRY (302 CENTURY DR, MT AIRY, MD 21771, (301) 829-2800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11080628

98,000 miles · Mar 20, 2018
Exterior LightingService BrakesUnknown Or OtherInjury

BOTH OF THE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE WATER INTRUSION ABOUT 3 0Z OF WATER WITHIN THE CHAMBER. I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES.SHORTENING OUT WHICH HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH SAFETY AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11080337

90,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE DOOR SENSORS KEEPED ON INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS OPEN WHEN IT WAS CLOSE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DOORS SENSORS.

NHTSA ODI #11079711

119,827 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DICK SMITH FORD IN RAYTOWN, MISSOURI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LEVELER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DICK SMITH FORD IN RAYTOWN, MISSOURI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LEVELER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND FILED CASE NUMBER: CAS-144337507. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,827.

NHTSA ODI #11079569

40,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11078790

50,000 miles · Mar 7, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN STATIONARY AND PARKED, THE DOOR AJAR ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THIS PRODUCES ERROR MESSAGES ON THE SCREEN, TURNS ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCKED. AFTER REPEATEDLY OPENING AND SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT MULTIPLE TIMES THE MESSAGE MAY OR MA…

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WHEN STATIONARY AND PARKED, THE DOOR AJAR ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THIS PRODUCES ERROR MESSAGES ON THE SCREEN, TURNS ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCKED. AFTER REPEATEDLY OPENING AND SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT MULTIPLE TIMES THE MESSAGE MAY OR MAY NOT GO AWAY. IF SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT MULTIPLE TIMES DOES NOT WORK THE MESSAGES, LIGHTS, AND INABILITY TO LOCK THE DOORS CONTINUES WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11076664

60,000 miles · Mar 4, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS SHOWING THAT IT IS OPEN RANDOMLY WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. (DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED) THE LIGHTS AND ALARM WILL COME ON AND MAKES IT UNABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DOOR SENSOR IS A ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE F…

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THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS SHOWING THAT IT IS OPEN RANDOMLY WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. (DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED) THE LIGHTS AND ALARM WILL COME ON AND MAKES IT UNABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DOOR SENSOR IS A ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11076159

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2018
Structure

LIFTGATE AJAR LIGHT ON WHEN LIFTGATE IS CLOSED. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON. DOORS STAY UNLOCKED DURING DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11075755

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.