IllustrationIN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE SWITCH IN THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY STICKS AND SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE CAR THAT THE DOOR IS AJAR EVEN WHEN IT IS FULLY SHUT. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING YOU COULD SLAM THE DOOR A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO WORK.
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 reportsPASSENGER DOOR, REAR PASSENGER DOOR, AND HATCH DOOR AJAR SIGNAL STAYS ON WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. -INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON -ALARMS GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT -FAULTY LATCH *THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND CREATES A NIGHT DRIVING HAZARD. *IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE DOME LIGHTS STAYS ON AND I AM SITTING IN A PUBLIC AREA …
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PASSENGER DOOR, REAR PASSENGER DOOR, AND HATCH DOOR AJAR SIGNAL STAYS ON WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. -INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON -ALARMS GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT -FAULTY LATCH *THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND CREATES A NIGHT DRIVING HAZARD. *IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE DOME LIGHTS STAYS ON AND I AM SITTING IN A PUBLIC AREA AT NIGHT. *THE FALSE DOOR AJAR SIGNAL PREVENTS ME FROM RECOGNIZING A REAL DOOR AJAR SITUATION, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. *THE DOORS SOMETIMES MAY OR MAY NOT NOT LOCK. WINDSHIELD WIPERS RANDOMLY TURN ON.
DOOR AJAR SENSOR IS FAULTY. THIS PREVENTS AUTO LOCKS FROM WORKING, PREVENTS PROXIMITY UNLOCK FROM WORKING, PREVENTS DOOR FROM LOCKING PROPERLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL, AND MAY DRAIN BATTERY AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING.
SEVERAL DOOR LATCH SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. THEY STATE "DOOR AJAR" WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED. PREVENTS DOORS FROM LOCKING WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE.
DOOR AGAR SENSOR IS STUCK IN THE DOOR OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE ELECTRIC LOCK SYSTEM TO NOT LOCK THE DOORS. WHEN YOU MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN IT JUST POPS BACK UP. IT ALSO KEEPS THE DOME LIGHTS ON. THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS STATIONARY OR MOVING.
OUR FORD FLEX SAYS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED. BECAUSE OF THIS THE DOORS ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. WE TRY AND REMEMBER TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY BUT ON OCCASION IT CAN BE OVERLOOKED. ON ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS WE WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS IN THE BACK S…
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OUR FORD FLEX SAYS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT IS CLOSED. BECAUSE OF THIS THE DOORS ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. WE TRY AND REMEMBER TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY BUT ON OCCASION IT CAN BE OVERLOOKED. ON ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS WE WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE CAUSING THE DOOR TO FLY OPEN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
THE SENSOR ON THE PASSAGE SIDE FRONT DOOR, IS SAYING ( PASSAGE SIDE DOOR AJAR. I TRIED CLOSING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT STILL SAYS PASSAGE SIDE DOOR AJAR!
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SENSOR BROKE FROM NORMAL USE AFTER 3 YEARS. THIS PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM LOCKING, AND ALSO DINGS DURING DRIVING.
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SHOP VISIT, I NOTICED A SOFT GRINDING NOISE (RUBBER ON RUBBER) WHEN TURN THE VEHICLE (ANY DIRECTION), MOST NOTABLE, AT LOW SPEED. ABOUT 10 DAYS BEFORE THE SERVICE SHOP VISIT THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD, SO LOUD, THAT IT PROMPTED THE SERVICE VISIT. ALSO NOTICED THAT …
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SHOP VISIT, I NOTICED A SOFT GRINDING NOISE (RUBBER ON RUBBER) WHEN TURN THE VEHICLE (ANY DIRECTION), MOST NOTABLE, AT LOW SPEED. ABOUT 10 DAYS BEFORE THE SERVICE SHOP VISIT THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD, SO LOUD, THAT IT PROMPTED THE SERVICE VISIT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SLIGHTLY STICK AND I HAD TO CONSTANTLY MAKE STEERING CORRECTIONS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED.
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AJAR ALARM SOUNDS WHEN DOOR CLOSED. THE DASH SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE CAR WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON, DOOR ALARM CHIMES. THE CAR ELECTRICAL STABILITY SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. BEEN HAPPENING FOR DAYS. HAPPENS AS SOON AS I GET IN AND SHUT THE DOOR. TRY SEV…
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DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AJAR ALARM SOUNDS WHEN DOOR CLOSED. THE DASH SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE CAR WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON, DOOR ALARM CHIMES. THE CAR ELECTRICAL STABILITY SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. BEEN HAPPENING FOR DAYS. HAPPENS AS SOON AS I GET IN AND SHUT THE DOOR. TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO CLOSE THE DOOR HARD, SOFTLY, QUICKLY, AND IT STAYS ON MORE AND MORE. NOW THE CAR ALARM SOUNDS A COUPLE TIMES A DAY WHEN CAR IS PARKED AND OFF.
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.