2013 Ford Flex fuel system problems

The 2013 Ford Flex has 72 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Fuel System complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Flex fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2013 Ford Flex have?

NHTSA has 72 complaints about the 2013 Ford Flex fuel system — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Ford Flex fuel system?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 13V227000, 15V812000, 16V621000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.