2013 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls & Reliability
777 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Ford Flex, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 55,283 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2013 Ford Flex sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2012, 2015–2018.
Avoid
Where 2013 sits among all Flex years
What owners report
“When the door is closed the light indicates it is open on the driver side and the passenger side. There is a recall on 2014 15 and 16 for the same issue”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
“Power steering failure while driving. Looks like issue that is common for Ford Flex. Recall 15S18. My Fled was built in April 2013.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
“Passenger and rear passenger door ajar switches keep coming on. The doors will not lock when vehicle is in motion. Also when you lock the door after using the vehicle the lights inside the vehicle stay on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
“Car would not start. Towed to garage. Fuel pump driver and fuel pump bad and melted.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
“Defective door latch. The latch reports "door ajar" when door is closed, unlocking all doors at all times.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
“Water pump failed in the internal engine part on 2013 ford flex. A known problem by ford motor co for years and ford refuses to issue a recall. Because the water pump is an internal part of the motor, the cost to repair is over $2000 .”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Flex
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 566 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 62,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 45,100 and 88,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
71 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2013 Ford Flex. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Ford Flex reliable?
The 2013 Ford Flex drew 777 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2013 Ford Flex problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Ford Flex are electrical (237 complaints), steering (150), and other (104).
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Flex problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Ford Flex problems around 62,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 45,100 and 88,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Ford Flex have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.