2013 Ford FLEX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
578 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 435 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 199 of 578 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 154 | 26.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 102 | 17.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 50 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 35 | 6.1% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 2.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 199 |
| Steering | 146 |
| Unknown Or Other | 78 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 59 |
| Structure:Body | 58 |
| Exterior Lighting | 35 |
| Engine | 32 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 24 |
Electrical System: 199; Steering: 146; Unknown Or Other: 78; Fuel/Propulsion System: 59; Structure:Body: 58; Exterior Lighting: 35; Engine: 32; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 24
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 99 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 131 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 83 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 72 |
| 150,000 and above | 21 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 99; 50,000 to 74,999: 131; 75,000 to 99,999: 83; 100,000 to 149,999: 72; 150,000 and above: 21
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (131). 143 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 66 |
| 2016 | 100 |
| 2017 | 86 |
| 2018 | 74 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2012: 1; 2013: 10; 2014: 15; 2015: 66; 2016: 100; 2017: 86; 2018: 74; 2019: 60; 2020: 41; 2021: 35; 2022: 17; 2023: 21; 2024: 19; 2025: 27; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 154 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 102 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 50 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10538112 · 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10579317 · 2014-04-12 (April 12, 2014)
WE HAVE 16,980 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AND BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS AGO BRAND NEW. THE TIRES ARE HANKOOK H426, 255/45/R20. DOT 5MNB PDLH 4112, 4112, 4112, AND2012. THE CAR STEERS STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW. THE FORD DEALER HAS VERIFIED ALL IS WELL WITH THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING. WE HAVE FOUND ALL FOUR TIRES, ARE STARTING TO PEEL APART ON THE INNER AND OUTER ROW OF TREADS ONLY. TO DATE, THERE ARE 100 PEEL BACKS AND AS MANY HOLES. ALL OF THE UN-WRAPPINGS ARE APPROXIMATELY 10MM IN DIAMETER, 1-2MM DEEP, SHAPED LIKE A TEAR DROP. SOME…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561947 · 2014-01-28 (January 28, 2014)
I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 2013 AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE PROCESS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE - SYNC ISSUES, DEAD BATTERY AND THREE SEATBELT REPLACEMENTS. MY VEHICLE HAS REAR AIRBAG SEATBELTS SUPPOSEDLY FOR SAFETY. INSTEAD, MY KIDS HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE BELTS ARE SO POORLY DESIGNED AS SOON AS THE BLACK PLASTIC COVERING THE BELT BREAKS, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THIS IS WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE. I'VE APPROACHED FORD AND SPRINGHILL FORD IN DUNDEE WITHOUT ANY SATISFACTION. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK MY CAR INTO SPR…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,887 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10692691 · 2015-03-07 (March 7, 2015)
DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHTS WHEN DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH SEVERAL FORD SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED. THERE ARE DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERNS AS THE FOLLOWING ALSO OCCURS: DOME LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN LEAVING VEHICLE ALLOWING EASY VIEWING OF INTERIOR AND POSSIBLE BATTERY DRAINAGE ALL DOORS WILL NOT LOCK (UNACCEPTABLE) THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THE FALSE WARNING KEEPS DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THERE IS IN FACT A TRUE DOOR AJAR SITUATION FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548472 · 2013-10-18 (October 18, 2013)
MY VEHICLE MOTOR QUIT ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE MOTOR. THE SMELL OF GAS BECAME VERY STRONG AND I GOT OUT AND COULD SEE WHERE A STREAM OF GAS HAD STARTED 50 YARDS BACK ON THE STREET AND A PUDDLE WAS UNDER THE GAS TANK. I GOT THE HECK OUT OF THERE AND CALLED FORD ROAD ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE FORD DEALER.THE SAFETY RECALL 13S04 FOR REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN PERFORMED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND 1000 MILES AGO. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSTALL THE O RING SEAL PROPER…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,026 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10606200 · 2014-06-26 (June 26, 2014)
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED APRIL/2014 WHILE MY FLEX WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START FOR ABOUT SIX HOURS. I DID NOTHING TO DIAGNOSE OR TROUBLESHOOT, IT JUST STARTED AFTER SITTING FOR THAT TIME FRAME. IT DID NOT GO TO THE SHOP. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED JUNE 11, 2014 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES FROM MY HOME. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH, I COASTED TO A HALT IN A TRAFFIC LANE AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT TURN OVER JUST LIKE THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED T…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10669769 · 2015-01-02 (January 2, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A UNKNOWN SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,200. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 18,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704668 · 2015-04-09 (April 9, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. UPON MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.... .UPDATED 08/18/15 *BF UPDATED 08/26/15. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660243 · 2014-11-22 (November 22, 2014)
THE DRIVER DOOR IS SHOWING AJAR. IT YOU SLAM THE DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. EVERY TIME YOU PUT ON BRAKES, THE CHIMING GOES OFF AND LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE SEEN THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. MUST REPLACE ENTIRE LATCH SYSTEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10759528 · 2015-08-26 (August 26, 2015)
FORD IS HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH THE DOOR LATCHES ON THE FORD FLEX, FORD EDGE AND TAURUS. THE FAULTY DESIGN DOESN'T RELAY TO THE COMPUTER THAT THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY CLOSED WHEN IT IS AND TENDS TO START A CHAIN OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CAR. 1) AT HIGH SPEEDS IT WILL ACTUALLY UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS. 2) IT WILL ALSO DO IT AT EVERY STOP SIGN WHEN THE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH THEN ALLOWS THE DOORS TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE SO A CHILD COULD ACTUALLY OPEN THE DOOR. 3) AT ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING HIGHWAY IT WILL SUDDENLY…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10759528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10722545 · 2015-06-01 (June 1, 2015)
ON APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 15, 2013 WE WERE DRIVING OUR SON TO SCHOOL WHEN CHIMES CAME ON STATING THAT OUR DOORS WERE OPEN. WE STOPPED, CHECKED ALL DOORS. NONE WERE AJAR. WE CONTINUED ON DRIVING AT WHICH TIME OUR SON OPENED THE DOOR. HAD HE NOT BEEN IN A CAR SEAT HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT. WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND WERE ONLY GOING ABOUT 15- 20 MPH. OUR CHIMES CONTINUED TO GO OFF AND STILL TO THIS DAY WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DID…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10735515 · 2015-07-21 (July 21, 2015)
AFTER SERVICE TO THE TRANSMISSION BY THE DEALER; THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A STRONG FUEL SMELL. AFTER RETURNING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WHICH THEY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL CONTINUED TO HAVE A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THEY CLAIM IT WAS RESIDUAL LEFT OVER FROM THE REPAIR. IT HAS NOW BEEN A MONTH SINCE THE REPAIR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EMIT A STRONG FUEL SMELL.
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10735515 at NHTSA ↗