Model year guide

2013 Ford Flex

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2013 Ford Flex is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 249 on record.

2013 Ford Flex — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Ford Flex at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints578
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$21,693

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2013 Ford Flex recalls 6

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #16V621000 · 25/08/2016

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.

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 System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #15V812000 · 02/12/2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Steering:electric Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #15V340000 · 02/06/2015

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 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles ha…

Fix: 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. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software …

Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft NHTSA Campaign #14V393000 · 02/07/2014

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, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip …

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners m…

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #13V227000 · 31/05/2013

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 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Fix: 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #20V072000 · 10/02/2020

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.

Fix: 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. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2013 Ford Flex common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 578 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2013 Ford Flex safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2013 Ford Flex SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2013 Ford Flex MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,250

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2013 Ford Flex worth?

Low
$14,800
Typical price
$21,693
High
$27,100

From 247 comparable 2013 Ford Flex listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2013 Ford Flex costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$14,400
Total$30,650
Per mile$0.41

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($21,693) with the same model 4 model-years older ($10,171), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2013 Ford Flex trims & engines on record

Trims
SEL · Limited · SE
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 288 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 355 hp

2013 Ford Flex vehicles on record

Other Ford Flex model years

2013 Ford Flex — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Ford Flex have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2013 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Flex?

Based on 578 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, seats.

What is the 2013 Ford Flex safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2013 Ford Flex crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Flex get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2013 Ford Flex at about 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2013 Ford Flex worth?

Comparable 2013 Ford Flex listings run roughly $14,800–$27,100, typically around $21,693 (from 247 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.