Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2013 Ford Flex
NHTSA data on file today
The 2013 Ford Flex has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 580 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V072000 Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V621000 Fuel Pump Malfunction may Cause Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V812000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V340000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V393000 Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V227000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack And Leak NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 201 complaints
- Steering 149 complaints
- Unknown or Other 78 complaints
- Structure 69 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 59 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 37 complaints
Of the 580 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 580 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2013 Ford Flex has six recalls and a significant number of owner complaints, particularly concerning the electrical system and steering. Common issues include electrical failures and steering problems, both having high complaint counts. The failure data implies potential recurring costs, contributing to a below-average reliability rating. If considering purchasing, be mindful of maintenance needs and possible repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 40,000-80,000 miles | $300–$1,200 | common |
| Steering | 50,000-100,000 miles | $400–$1,500 | common |
| Fuel pump module | 60,000-100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant flush every 5 years
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
- Air filter replacement annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Electrical glitches or malfunctions
- Fuel smell near the vehicle
- Unusual noises during steering
- Erratic engine performance
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2013 Ford Flex at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.