2013 FORD FLEX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
769
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 FORD FLEX
The 2013 FORD FLEX has received a total of 769 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:REAR, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (198 complaints), Steering (145 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (78 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 FORD FLEX
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2013 FORD FLEX, potentially affecting up to 1,157,233 vehicles.
Recall 20V072000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 211,207 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 16V621000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 77,502 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 15V812000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 868 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 15V340000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 393,623 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 14V393000 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
| 83,250 vehicles affected
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...
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,...
View full details →Recall 13V227000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 390,783 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 FORD FLEX
769 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 FORD FLEX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Rear view camera has failed. The screen goes black and has a “contact dealer” message.
While driving, the power steering warning light illuminated and steering assist was lost. The steering became extremely hard, especially at low speeds. The vehicle makes grinding/whining noises when turning, and the car vibrates while in Drive. This creates a serious safety concern, especially during turns and parking maneuvers. Issue appears to be electric power steering (EPAS) failure.
Power steering. While I was driving in my neighborhood the power steering went out and I could not make a turn. It locked up while driving. I could have got into a head on collision/accident becasue the road turns. Yes, I reported it to Ford and they told me my flex did not have a recall despite the ford website stating that some 2013 ford flex are affected. The description of 15s18 sterring recall matches my same issue and it poses a serious safety hazard. Yes, i took it to a mechanic at an auto shop and her is telling me that he can't fix recalls. At the time of the accident, i got No pre warning just the message that states: "Steering Lock Malfunction Service Now: The steering lock system has detected a condition that requires service." This happened on or around 11/23/25. I am requesting that Ford pay for my power steering to be fixed.
Power steering. While I was driving in my neighborhood the power steering went out and I could not make a turn. It locked up while driving. I could have got into a head on collision/accident becasue the road turns. Yes, I reported it to Ford and they told me my flex did not have a recall despite the ford website stating that some 2013 ford flex are affected. The description of 15s18 sterring recall matches my same issue and it poses a serious safety hazard. Yes, i took it to a mechanic at an auto shop and her is telling me that he can't fix recalls. At the time of the accident, i got No pre warning just the message that states: "Steering Lock Malfunction Service Now: The steering lock system has detected a condition that requires service." This happened on or around 11/23/25. I am requesting that Ford pay for my power steering to be fixed.
Backup Camera not working
Safety Rating for the 2013 FORD FLEX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2013 FORD FLEX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 FORD FLEX
Ford Motor Company has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 FORD FLEX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
15-0119 — EQUIPMENT
FORD 2013-2014 FLEX: BULLETIN INFORMATION REGARDING SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCING POOR AUDIO RECEPTION WITH A WHISTLING NOISE. *LJ
44979 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
FORD FLEX 2013 AND 2013-2015 TAURUS: BULLETIN INFORMATION INVOLVING THE ELECTRONIC MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL & CLIMATE CONTROL SETTING INACCURATE. *LJ
TSB-14-0083 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
LINCOLN/FORD: WHEN ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED, THE LAMP FOR DOOR AJAR, IS ILLUMINATED. MODEL 2011-2013 EDGE, FLEX, EXPLORER, MKX, MKT. *PE
ASI-44315 — ENGINE
FORD: DUE TO FUEL VAPOR LINE NOT BEING CONNECTED PROPERLY (FULLY SEATED) TO UNDERSIDE OF FUEL DELIVER MODULE (FDM), WHICH LEADS TO CARBON CANISTER SATURATED WITH LIQUID FUEL AND A FUEL ODOR, SLOW FILL, OR HESITATION OR STUMBLE, OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. MODEL 2013 EXPLORER, TAURUS, MKS, FLEX, MKT, FUSION, MKZ,...
ASI-32238 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD/LINCOLN: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE, A SLIPPAGE DURING SHIFTING OR POSSIBLE CLUTCH DAMAGE MIGHT HAVE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK IN VALVE BODY. MODELS 2013 EDGE, MKX, FLEX, TAURUS, MKT, MKS, MKZ. *PE
CSP-12M02 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
FORD/LINCOLN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR COVERING ACCESSORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. MODELS 2011-2013 EDGE, EXPLORER, MKX, FOCUS, ESCAPE, FLEX, FUSION, TAURUS, MKS, MKT, MKZ, F-150, F-SUPER DUTY. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 FORD FLEX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD FLEX
- 2009 FORD FLEX — 271 complaints
- 2010 FORD FLEX — 181 complaints
- 2011 FORD FLEX — 174 complaints
- 2012 FORD FLEX — 89 complaints
- 2013 FORD FLEX (current)
- 2014 FORD FLEX — 321 complaints
- 2015 FORD FLEX — 109 complaints
- 2016 FORD FLEX — 99 complaints
- 2017 FORD FLEX — 41 complaints
- 2018 FORD FLEX — 56 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints