The Lemon Index
201220141st generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
192 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Toyota Highlander 622013 Honda Pilot 822013 Ford Explorer 195
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2013 Ford Flex
- Steering rack / power steering83 complaintsmostly at 82,000–137,000 miles (132,000–220,000 km)
- Fuel pump44 complaintsmostly at 58,000–83,000 miles (93,000–134,000 km)
- Engine stalling33 complaintsmostly at 52,000–83,000 miles (84,000–134,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 581 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Flex (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 59,000 miles (56,000–95,000 km) (the middle half of the 165 complaints, of all 192 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V072000 (suspension), 16V621000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 15V812000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Ford sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ford/lincoln: some vehicles may experience, a slippage during shifting or possible clutch…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 192 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 59K miles (56K to 95K km) on the car (165 of all 192 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Front passenger door ajar sensor malfunctioning while driving
2013 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 10785575
More owner reports
Interior lighting has no manual off switch and remains on during driving due to incorreclty reported "door ajar"
NHTSA complaint 10811424
On my 2nd door sensor and need a 3rd..does not allow interior lights to go off and doors will not lock...every time slow down it pings... Also alarm keeps coming on.
NHTSA complaint 10820874
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: some vehicles may experience, a slippage during shifting or possible clutch…
- Intermittent ikt
- Due to fuel vapor line not being connected properly (fully seated) to underside of fuel…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Suspension · recall issued 2020
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2016 3.5L engines only
A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Show all 6 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2015 Hybrid only
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Flex SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Flex SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Flex year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2013" title="Ford Flex reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-flex/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ford Flex reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 6 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 578; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Flex year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2013 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (51%), body structure (18%) and lights (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Flex have?
6 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Flex get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Flex problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 59,000 miles (56,000–95,000 km) (the middle half of the 165 complaints, of all 192 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Ford Flex cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Flex year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works