VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 777 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Flex year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 11 Flex years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 224 reports (29% of the total).

777

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted777 complaints2009: 271 complaints2010: 181 complaints2011: 178 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 777 complaints2014: 323 complaints2015: 119 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 53 complaints2018: 81 complaints2019: 279 complaints
Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System22429%
Steering15019%
Other8010%
Fuel System729%
Body & Structure709%
Lighting375%
Engine365%
Latches & Locks213%
Suspension172%
Seat Belts122%
Transmission111%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Tires & Wheels91%
Driver Assistance81%
Seats71%
Brakes61%
Airbags51%
Speed Control30%

Does the 2013 Ford Flex have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V072000SuspensionFebruary 10, 2020 · 211,207 units

Defect

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

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.

16V621000Fuel SystemAugust 25, 2016 · 77,502 units

Defect

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

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.

15V812000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 2015 · 868 units

Defect

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

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.

15V340000SteeringJune 2, 2015 · 393,623 units

Defect

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

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.

14V393000TransmissionJuly 2, 2014 · 83,250 units

Defect

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

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.

13V227000Fuel SystemMay 31, 2013 · 390,783 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The power steering assist stopped working while I was driving. It caused me to get into an accident. If other cars were around me I could have killed someone. I was driving just fine and then “POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT” showed up on my cluster and the steering wheel locked up. It now won’t…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 9, 2022 · crash

The power steering assist stopped working while I was driving. It caused me to get into an accident. If other cars were around me I could have killed someone. I was driving just fine and then “POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT” showed up on my cluster and the steering wheel locked up. It now won’t…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 9, 2022 · crash

On Friday, June 18, 2021 while driving my 2013 Ford Flex, the power steering went out while I was driving. I went online and found an OLD May 27, 2015 Ford Safety Recall for this issue but apparently it DID NOT include my car. Not sure how FORD determines which cars will/will not have this issue.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 18, 2021 · crash

MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY THE SAME RECALL AS MANY OTHER FORD FLEX VEHICLES, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS PART OF THE RECALL. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE OF MY VEHICLE AND IT WILL NOT START. IT CRANKS AND ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START HOWEVER IT WILL NOT START DUE TO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 22, 2018

I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND SOMETHING POPPED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR WAS THE CURVE, AS I WAS MAKING THE TURN, AND THAT CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE. SUTTON FORD LINCOLN IN MATTESON, IL SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE LEMON-FORD-FLEX THAT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 22, 2013 · crash

2013 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Flex reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 777 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 11 Flex years. It is one of the Flex years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (224 complaints), steering (150 complaints), other (80 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Flex years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flex years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2019, 2009. The cleanest record among Flex years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.