Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Flex owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several electrical failures, including that door erroneously locking and unlocking and the Lane Departure safety feature malfunctioning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the electronic body control module was faulty. After removing and reinstalling the module, the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, while the vehicle was in for service, the mechanic discovered that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve and throttle body assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to contact NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,050.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up occasionally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel inlet needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
While driving, just as I turned my steering wheel; it got very stiff to turn. If I was not able to turn, I easily could have drove into someone's house, pedestrians or hit other vehicles both parked and driving on the road. Especially if I were going very much faster and didn't have as much strength as I do. A week before this happened, I got a quick flash of a message twice that read "AdvanceTrack needs service". But after that ine trip a week ago, it never popped back up and still hasn't. Other than that, no warning lights or codes xan be found. I made it home (less than a half mile away). After having it checked by 2 different mechanics, both said it was the electric steering and told me to check the recalls for my 2013 Ford Flex SEL. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? INTERNAL WATER PUMP/ TIMING CHAINS/ VVT SOLENOIDS/ CAM PHASERS/ CAM SENSORS/ RELATED SEALS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? ENGINE FAILURE - SUDDEN STOP OF VEHICLE Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES, IS AWARE AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED VIA SERVICE AND TECH BULLETINS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATED ISSUE. ISSUE IS KNOWN AND COMMON WITH ALL 3.7L AND 3.5L FORD ENGINES. …
My car randomly over heated ON [redacted] around 3:23 pm and when I pulled over to a parking lot there was antifreeze pouring out of the bottom front passenger side. I tried to allow it to cool down so that I could safely get it to the shop .5 mile away and the vehicle started to shake and stall and the check engine light came on. I had it towed and inspected at Featherstone Auto, 14523 Richmond Hwy, Woodbridge VA 22191 where I was informed by [redacted] that this is a common issue with Ford Flex where the water pump in inside the engine and fails yet there is no recall for this issue. This is an extremely pricely cost that Ford knows is an issue yet there is no resolution on their end??? That is highly unnacceptable. I have had this car for less than a year, granted it is 13 years old. …
Failure of engine to start/run due to a faulty fuel pump control module. Current Ford safety recall #16s31 (NHTSA #16V621) is limited only to Ford/Lincoln vehicles equipped with the EcoBoost turbocharged engine. The faulty component on my normally aspirated engine, fuel pump control module #aa8z-9d370-b, is the same component being replaced on vehicles affected by the #16V621 NHTSA safety recall. To avoid engines shutting off at speed or not starting, it appears that the recall will need to be expanded to include normally aspirated engines as well. We were fortunate because our vehicle failed sitting in our driveway, not at 75 MPH on the highway. My wife's concern is what would have happened to her and our four grandchildren if this failure had taken place on the interstate in busy traffic at 75 MPH. …
2013 Ford Flex model pos, rear passenger door ajar sensor was repaired due to being defective while under warranty around 32000 miles I believe, at roughly 45000 miles the drivers door sensor was starting to fail, it would require 2 shuts to shut off. Battery kept dying, got it tested said good but kept dying, did not think it was a issue with the door, but one night I went out to get something from my truck and what do you know every light in the thing is on. Why? You ask because the drivers door is apparently ajar, but its not. I replaced the battery the morning before I seen the lights issue $200 gone. Contacted Ford by email recieved no response, contacted via facebook and they responded that they will try to help, recieved a call the next day nope we wont help you. For a $45000 truck it sure is made of low quality material. I will not be recommending Ford to anyone. …
My 2013 Ford Flex has had the same issue as the Ford explorer. I purchased the vehicle new from sanderson Ford in glendale az and noticed after a hard acceleration with the air conditioning set to recirculate. The dealer stated they could not recreate the issue and I took it back home. Years past and it was taken back again and same thing they could not re-create due to there was no mechanic that could drive it at higher speeds. I included a Ford Flex forum that explains the issue and shows that it does exist out there. Please add the Ford Flex to the "recall" fix of these issues. In the federal regulations under 49 cfr 393.83 the exhaust shall not leak / discharge so that it enters a sleeper compartment of a truck tractor. We have the same thing here the exhaust leaks into the compartment of where the driver is at. Https://www.fordflex.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17923
Engine complaints in other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Ford Flex?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Ford Flex, 6% of the model year's 580 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Flex engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Ford Flex, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Flex engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.