2013 Ford Flex electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 2026INElectrical SystemLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11766599 · source
2. Filed May 8, 2026WIElectrical SystemSeats & Seat BeltsVisibility & Wipers

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Multiple driver aid funcations in-op. Driver door locks will not lock or unlock, driver door lock and unlock switch will not operate any locks, passenger door mirror will not move, seat memory will not save, rear view mirror will not auto dim and there is no manual option to adjust the mirror resulting in impacted night visablity, rear view camera does not display on screen but…

   NHTSA complaint #11736539 · source
3. Filed Dec 2, 2025CAElectrical SystemSteering

   Power steering. While I was driving in my neighborhood the power steering went out and I could not make a turn. It locked up while driving. I could have got into a head on collision/accident becasue the road turns. Yes, I reported it to Ford and they told me my flex did not have a recall despite the ford website stating that some 2013 ford flex are affected. The description of 15s18 sterring recall matches my same issue and it poses a serious safety hazard. Yes, i took it to…

   NHTSA complaint #11702594 · source
4. Filed May 29, 2025CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   My back up camera show upside down or sometimes it shows a black screen. People have a habit of walking behind me when I’m backing up and I can’t see them. The warning beep sounds but I can’t tell if it a car or person behind me. When it first happen months ago I tried resetting camera, it didn’t work. Not sure if my extended warranty covers this.

   NHTSA complaint #11663835 · source
5. Filed Jan 30, 2025CAElectrical System

   The backup camera went out, but first it went upside down. Not inverted, just upside down. It's definitely a safety issue as I can't see fully behind me. I've seen the later models have the same issue and recall for them but not the older models with the same issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11639656 · source
6. Filed Feb 12, 2024FLElectrical SystemSteering

   Power steering no longer works. Getting message on dash as well. I see a recall for my year truck but my vin apparently is not one included. It’s our only transportation and my daughter, my fiancé and myself all have multiple weekly therapy/dr appointments. Please consider adding my vin to the recall. As far as electrical my alarm will randomly go off while it’s not running/parked. Thinks doors are open when they are not. Thank you

   NHTSA complaint #11571562 · source
7. Filed Dec 27, 2023GAElectrical System

   While driving, the radio turns off and the climate control system malfunctions causing the heater to engage to high with no way to turn the system off. All controls are disabled and there is no way to turn the system off. Unplugged the battery for 30 minutes as suggested, removed fuses to the radio and climate control module which temporarily fixes the issue, but issue happens randomly and creates excessive heat in the cabin. This is the 5th time this has happened. It is the…

   NHTSA complaint #11562206 · source
8. Filed Dec 26, 2023120,000 miNCElectrical SystemEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11561820 · source
9. Filed May 24, 2023MIElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Have difficulty fueling vehicle. “Fuel fill inlet” warning stays on dash. Strong fuel mixture smell in cabin. Fuel will overspill if you try to pump gas at full force. Smells like fuel is leaking. Concerned about possible explosion. Many other drivers having the same issues. Strange clicking sounds from front end.

   NHTSA complaint #11523595 · source
10. Filed Jan 4, 2023NHElectrical System

    Vehicle would not start after 3 days of not being started or driven. After having the battery jumped the climate control unit malfunctioned. The heat would not turn off and stayed on full blast. This caused the car to overheat and difficult to drive even with the windows down. When brought to the dealership service center, they replaced the heater blower. This fixed the issue temporarily. Then the heat stopped working and in single digit temperatures the vehicle was too cold…

    NHTSA complaint #11500074 · source
11. Filed Sep 5, 2022CAElectrical System

    The 2013 Flex has an issue with door ajar switch within the door latch mechanism failing. This results in the car incorrectly identifying the door as “ajar” when it is closed. The result is that the automatic door locking does not activate when the car is in motion. This means that the door remains unlocked unless manually locked by the passenger. This can pose a safety hazard as the door could come open in an accident or be opened while in motion by a passenger. This…

    NHTSA complaint #11482892 · source
12. Filed Jul 9, 2022CACrashElectrical SystemSteering

    The power steering assist stopped working while I was driving. It caused me to get into an accident. If other cars were around me I could have killed someone. I was driving just fine and then “POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT” showed up on my cluster and the steering wheel locked up. It now won’t work. This came without warning.

    NHTSA complaint #11473148 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology