Is the 2013 Ford FLEX reliable?

The 2013 Ford FLEX has 777 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ford FLEX?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (200 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (150 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (80 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford FLEX?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SUSPENSION:REAR. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Ford FLEX?

The 2013 Ford FLEX gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ford FLEX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ford FLEX is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Ford FLEX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford FLEX has 777 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.4x the segment average of 178. The most common issue is electrical problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: 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 poor. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 11 crash reports 12 injuries

777

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

4.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

200 complaints

26%

• 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 POOR
• THE VEHICLE DOOR AJAR ALARM IS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS SECURELY SHUT. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHEN WE WERE GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND WE THOUGHT WE DIDN'T GET THE DOOR SHUT TIGHTLY. HOWEVER, MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 7-10 DAYS THE DOOR AJAR ALARM IS GO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS OPEN ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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 POOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford FLEX

Based on 576 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

200

60-100K

219

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 39K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

Earlier than typicalmedian 18K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 154 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 54 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DOORS/LATCHES

Reported earliermedian 63K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25/08/2016

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.

Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford FLEX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford FLEX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FLEX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 FLEX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 777 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 POOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND SOMETHING POPPED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR WAS THE CURVE, AS I WAS MAKING THE TURN, AND THAT CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE. SUTTON FORD LINCOLN IN MATTESON, IL SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE LEMON-FORD-FLEX THAT WAS S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE VEHICLE DOOR AJAR ALARM IS SAYING THAT THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS SECURELY SHUT. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHEN WE WERE GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND WE THOUGHT WE DIDN'T GET THE DOOR SHUT TIGHTLY. HOWEVER, MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 7-10 DAYS THE DOOR AJAR ALARM IS GO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: NEW 2013 FORD FLEX HAS CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING INTO CAR WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP AND FORD KNOW OF THIS. COULD POTENTIALY BE DEADLY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)