MYRModel Year Report

2013 Ford Flex

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford Flex
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
580
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

2009: 181 complaints 2009 2010: 139 complaints 2011: 144 complaints 2011 2012: 64 complaints 2013: 580 complaints 2013 580 2014: 249 complaints 2015: 104 complaints 2015 2016: 96 complaints 2017: 42 complaints 2017 2018: 66 complaints 2019: 246 complaints 2019
2009: 181 complaints 2009 2010: 139 complaints 2010 2011: 144 complaints 2011 2012: 64 complaints 2012 2013: 580 complaints 2013 580 2014: 249 complaints 2014 2015: 104 complaints 2015 2016: 96 complaints 2016 2017: 42 complaints 2017 2018: 66 complaints 2018 2019: 246 complaints 2019
2009: 181 complaints 2009 2010: 139 complaints 2010 2011: 144 complaints 2011 2012: 64 complaints 2012 2013: 580 complaints 2013 580 2014: 249 complaints 2014 2015: 104 complaints 2015 2016: 96 complaints 2016 2017: 42 complaints 2017 2018: 66 complaints 2018 2019: 246 complaints 2019

2013: 580 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2009181
2010139
2011144
201264
2013580
2014249
2015104
201696
201742
201866
2019246

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

35% · 201 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

UNKNOWN So we bought the car used from the dealer exactly how they received it, and it was working normally but then a few weeks or a month or two we were going somewhere and one of the headlights would go out and we'd have to turn the switch off...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-24

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Steering

26% · 150 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering locked up lower control arm snapped at the ball joint where it's connected to cv axel. Sent my car into the rails and nearly.killed me and my passenger.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-13

Also filed under Power train and suspension

Structure

12% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 59 reports
INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

A 2013 Ford Flex rental vehicle used for a 4-hour drive from the san diego area to southern Arizona was leaking gasoline fumes, which kept entering the cabin and made all passengers nauseous, including an elderly female with alzheimer's disease.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-04

Exterior lighting

6% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing switch.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Both of the tail lights have water intrusion about 3 0Z of water within the chamber. I have replaced lights several times.shortening out which has caused a problem with safety and traffic violations.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-20

Also filed under Service brakes

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 580 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2013-07-20Fuel system, gasoline13V227000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2014-08-04Power train14V393000 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,...

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2015-07-21Steering15V340000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2015-12-21Fuel system, gasoline15V812000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-12-01Fuel system, gasoline16V621000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2020-10-28Suspension20V072000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Ford Flex — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 201 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 150 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 70 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V227000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14V393000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V340000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V812000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 16V621000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 20V072000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Ford Flex reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ford Flex is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Flex?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Flex have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.