2013 Ford Flex Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 6%of 580 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Ford Flex, 6% of the 580 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is currently an issue with our ecoboost v6 turbo charger. There is a old drain tube leak that has been identified through Ford and is a fire safety issue. This issue has been recalled for the 2014 and 2015 Ford FLEX which is identical parts as our vehicle but never recalled. Would like to see this get recalled before harm is had. This is an ongoing leak that has gotten worse over time.”
NHTSA complaint #11184538, filed 2019-03, 80,000 miles“As I'm driving the check engine light turns on and it slows down my car to two miles per hour once I turn it back off and back on it starts working again but as soon as I drive for a couple of miles or not even a couple of minutes the light comes back on and my car go straight to driving to miles per hour I want to know what could be wrong with this and why is it doing it”
NHTSA complaint #11032580, filed 2017-10, 35 miles“Tonight was the second time it happened. While I was driving, thank goodness I was not driving fast and was still on our driveway that the engine just stalled for no reason. I tried restarting the car but it would not start. I had to try starting it many times and after awhile it finally started again.”
NHTSA complaint #11023388, filed 2017-09, 87,000 miles“When I put gas in the gas either fill up or even just a cap off on the gas tank, starting the engin is dificult. It hesitates, when trying to start, and has a rough very rough idle. Accelaration is not a problem once we get going, but it is the initial starting of the vehicle that is a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10930265, filed 2016-12, 38,768 miles“My Ford FLEX stalls while driving anywhere from 10 MPH (in residential area) to 80 MPH on highway. Electrical is still working the engine shuts off and I lose control of gas/brakes. Three warning signs pop up at the same time: check brake system, collision warning not available, and service advance trac. Once I restart the car, the codes will disappear. The problem was intermittent at first, but now it's occurring more frequently. I'm too scared to drive my car now. Ford isnt being much help. I need help.”
NHTSA complaint #11104246, filed 2018-06, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159494Apr 26, 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10056147May 30, 2014Ford/lincoln: some vehicles, with aluminum valve cover, will experience an excessive condition of smoking engine oil and/or consumption of oil, from tail pipe, during normal…
- 10055042Jan 1, 2014Ford/lincoln: an accumulation of oil, in left hand valve cover baffle, migrating through fresh air intake of positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system, may have engine oil in…
- 10054975Dec 1, 2013Ford: due to fuel vapor line not being connected properly (fully seated) to underside of fuel deliver module (fdm), which leads to carbon canister saturated with liquid fuel and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 8 | 8% |
| 2015 | 11 | 10% |
| 2014 | 22 | 9% |
| 2013 | 33 | 6% |
| 2012 | 11 | 17% |
| 2011 | 25 | 17% |
| 2010 | 30 | 22% |
| 2009 | 36 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford Flex
201 complaintsSteering
149 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsFuel system
72 complaintsBody and structure
69 complaintsExterior lighting
37 complaintsElectronic stability control
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
21 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford Flex
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology