NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 581 owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Flex. Most complaints involve electrical system (201) and steering (150). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 and back on to get it to turn back on, and it was one for a few weeks but then it started turning them both off, and then it eventually got to the point that we would turn the headlights on anf the passenger side headlight wouldn't turn on anymore at all, so I went and got a bulb incase that was the issue and so we went to put the new bulb in and as we disconnected the circuit in order to get to the bulb we found that 1, water would stay inside the plastic cover causing the main board of the headlight to be fully submerged. 2, The connector to the main board was melted and fried so it is unusable. 3, with that being said that could've turned into a way worse scenario such as driving down the road and suddenly the circuit catches fire. 4, another possible outcome is while we are driving the headlights turn themselves off and while turning them back on we can't see and end up hitting a pedestrian walking or a tree on the…”
“The power steering system went out, the dealer told me that the failure is the exact issue that other cars of the same year make and model were recalled for. However this specific vin was not included. We were driving, pulled into a parking spot and while idling the error message came on the screen about the power steering assist fault and service advance trac. At that point we could no longer drive and had it towed to the dealer.”
“Repeated problems with door latch system in 2013 Ford Flex. Door is interpreted as being ajar, despite being closed. Two warning lights/messages to this effect persist, interior lights will not turn off (which drains the battery), doors will not automatically lock while driving in this condition and as I understand it, if an accident occurred, the airbags would NOT deploy due to the doors not being 'locked'. This is a serious safety issue and causes continual drain on the battery if left in this condition. The only way to sometimes get it to recognize the door being shut is to repeatedly close the door, often having to slam the door shut; this can take up to 15 attempts. Driver's door has been cycled & subsequently replaced six months later. We are taking it in now for a likely 2nd replacement on this door alone. The rear right passenger door & front passenger door have each been replaced as well. The first two repairs/replacement on the driver's door were under warranty, the remaining 2 replacements (and upcoming additional replacement) have been and will be at our own cost. This same door latch system has been recalled on three different occasions on other…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 437 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 471 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 481 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 581 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (201), steering (150), structure (69). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2013 Ford Flex at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).