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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
60,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017
Electrical SystemSeatsUnknown Or Other

I AM HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE! FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS DOOR LATCHES ARE NOT READING CLOSED WHICH DISALLOWS SAFETY LOCK DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS MIGHT BE THE REASON THE ALARM/PANIC RANDOMLY AND QUITE OFTEN GOES OFF. SECONDLY THE THIRD ROW SEATS NO LONGER OPERATE CORRECTLY FROM T…

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I AM HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE! FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS DOOR LATCHES ARE NOT READING CLOSED WHICH DISALLOWS SAFETY LOCK DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS MIGHT BE THE REASON THE ALARM/PANIC RANDOMLY AND QUITE OFTEN GOES OFF. SECONDLY THE THIRD ROW SEATS NO LONGER OPERATE CORRECTLY FROM THE PANEL IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. IT CLICKS AND TRY'S TO MOVE BUT WILL ALWAYS RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THEM TO ALLOW EXTRA STORAGE SPACE. LASTLY THE TRACTION ASSIST IS VERY ERRATIC WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW WHICH MAKES THIS VEHICLE LESS THEN DESIRABLE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW, EVEN WITH THE CONTROL ASSIST OFF IT HANDLES VERY POORLY IN ICY/SNOWY CONDITIONS. OVERALL I HATE THIS CAR IF I WASN'T UPSIDE DOWN IN IT WOULD BE GONE ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #10969827

75,000 miles · Mar 30, 2017
Structure

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ITSELF EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I GET A PASSENGER DOOR AJAR WARNING EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED COMPLETELY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF AND EXITED THE CAR BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR. THE ALARM GOES OFF OFTEN BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELV…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ITSELF EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I GET A PASSENGER DOOR AJAR WARNING EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED COMPLETELY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF AND EXITED THE CAR BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR. THE ALARM GOES OFF OFTEN BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES AND THE CAR THINKS THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED WHEN IT IS UNOCCUPIED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION (EVEN ON THE FREEWAY) AND ALSO WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI #10969496

60,000 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Structure

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY FORD FLEX HAS AN ILLUMINATED WARNING ON THE CLUSTER THAT SAYS THAT MY PASSENGER FRONT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED. THIS RESULTS IN FEATURES OF MY VEHICLE NOT OPERATING ALONG WITH MY INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON AND THE THEFT ALARM GOING ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING. THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY RESULTING IN A NO-STA…

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FOR THE PAST YEAR MY FORD FLEX HAS AN ILLUMINATED WARNING ON THE CLUSTER THAT SAYS THAT MY PASSENGER FRONT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED. THIS RESULTS IN FEATURES OF MY VEHICLE NOT OPERATING ALONG WITH MY INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON AND THE THEFT ALARM GOING ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING. THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY RESULTING IN A NO-START. NOW MY DRIVER'S DOOR ALSO COMES ON AS NOT CLOSED. THE CLUSTER TELLS ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF EACH TIME I BRAKE THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS VIRAL ON THE INTERNET. I WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MY CAR IS STARTING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED. MY FORD FCSD PERSON THAT I LAST SPOKE TO TOLD ME TO FIX IT ON MY OWN AND KEEP RECEIPTS IN CASE FORD DECIDES TO RECALL. SHE SAID IT WILL BE SAFER TO HAVE IT FIXED. BY NOT ISSUING A RECALL, I AM MAKING THE ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE DESPITE MY VEHICLE DETECTING AND ANNOUNCING THAT MY DOORS ARE NOT CLOSED. THIS PROBLEM IS AN ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON OR OFF, STANDING STILL OR MOBILE -- ALWAYS. IT HAPPENS IN HOT AND COLD TEMPS. INFREQUENTLY, VEHICLE DETECTS THE DOOR AS CLOSED. FORD HAS MADE MODIFICATIONS TO THIS DOOR LATCH (PART # CHANGE) AND I AM HOPING THEY DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. I CURRENTLY HAVE 74000 MILES AND THIS FIRST OCCURRED AT APPROX. 60000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10968139

60,000 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD CONSTANTLY UNLOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD CONSTANTLY UNLOCK AND THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH. ALSO, THE DOOR SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED, THE SENSOR WOULD SHOW THE DOOR AS OPEN. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE CAR ALARM TO GO OFF DURING THE NIGHT. UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10960344

54,000 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALTHOUGH THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, THE DOOR REMAINED CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALTHOUGH THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, THE DOOR REMAINED CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10960327

56,000 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10960310

72,500 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

THIS 2013 FORD FLEX HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND LIGHTING ISSUES. ALL 5 DOOR LATCHES, DOOR SENSORS, CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM, AND BATTERY HAS FAILED. THE CAR'S BCM HAS REPORTED INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR ALARMS. THIS EFFECTS THE CAR'S DOOR LOCKS AS WELL AS THE CAR'S DOME LIGHT AND CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM. AT NO POINT WIL…

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THIS 2013 FORD FLEX HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND LIGHTING ISSUES. ALL 5 DOOR LATCHES, DOOR SENSORS, CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM, AND BATTERY HAS FAILED. THE CAR'S BCM HAS REPORTED INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR ALARMS. THIS EFFECTS THE CAR'S DOOR LOCKS AS WELL AS THE CAR'S DOME LIGHT AND CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM. AT NO POINT WILL THE CAR'S DOORS LOCK WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. SO ANY CHILD CAN OPEN UP A DOOR WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON CAUSING A VISION GLARE AT NIGHT. TWICE MY WIFE HAS ALMOST PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING MOTORIS AT NIGHT, DO TO THE LIGHT GLARE WITHIN THE CAR. BECAUSE THE CAR'S DOME LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR'S BATTERY DRAINS DOWN WHILE PARKED. YOU CANNOT SET THE CAR'S ALARM WITHOUT THE DOOR SENSORS SETTING THE CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM OFF. MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ALL 5 DOOR LATCHES AND SENSORS, THE CAR BATTERY, AND THE BCM AT A FINANCIAL LOSS TO ME AT $1700.00. AT NO POINT HAS FORD OFFERED TO HELP WITH THESE ISSUES. NOW...IT'S TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO ACT AND HELP PROTECT THE CONSUMERS BEFORE A TRAGEDY STRIKES. LUCKILY....I HAD THE MONEY TO FIX THESE ISSUES TO PROTECT MY FAMILY OF SIX. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #10959695

48,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Electrical System

THERE IS A 115V POWER OUTLET IN THE CONSOLE IN FRONT OF THE BACK SEAT FOR USE BY BACK SEAT OCCUPANTS. THE COVER FOR THIS COMES OFF VERY EASILY LEAVING THE 115 V BRASS METAL ELECTRICAL CONTACTS EXPOSED. BACK SEAT OCCUPANTS CAN EASILY RECEIVE AN ELECTRIC SHOCK IF THEY TOUCH THESE EXPOSED CONTACTS.

NHTSA ODI #10959195

80,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical System

THE DOOR LATCHES KEPT FAILING WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU GET AN INDICATION THAT THE DOOR IS AJAR, THIS SETS OFF THE ALARM WITH OPERATES THE FLASHING LIGHTS AND WILL KILL THE BATTERY IF LET TO SO FAR I,VE CHANGED THREE LATCH AND A LIFT GATE WITH NO END IN SIGHT

NHTSA ODI #10958684

65,000 miles · Mar 1, 2017
Electrical System

THE DOOR LATCHES AND/OR SENSORS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY SAYING THE DOORS ARE AJAR WHEN THEY ARE NOT. I FILED A REPORT IN JULY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER WHEN I CANNOT LOCK MY DOORS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. ITS BEEN A YEAR OF DEALING WITH THIS, I FINALLY BROKE…

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THE DOOR LATCHES AND/OR SENSORS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY SAYING THE DOORS ARE AJAR WHEN THEY ARE NOT. I FILED A REPORT IN JULY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER WHEN I CANNOT LOCK MY DOORS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. ITS BEEN A YEAR OF DEALING WITH THIS, I FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY $200 TO HAVE THE SENSORS CLEAN WITH THE "SPECIAL TOOL" THAT ONLY THEY HAD. I DID THAT ONLY AFTER HAVING TO SPEND ANOTHER $150 ON A NEW BATTERY THAT WAS DRAINED FROM THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ALL NIGHT LONG BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD THE SENSORS CLEANED IN NOVEMBER AND NOW IN FEBRUARY THE PROBLEM IS BEGINING ALL OVER AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI #10957835

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.