2013 Ford Flex: engine failure

Filed May 8, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WI

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? INTERNAL WATER PUMP/ TIMING CHAINS/ VVT SOLENOIDS/ CAM PHASERS/ CAM SENSORS/ RELATED SEALS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? ENGINE FAILURE - SUDDEN STOP OF VEHICLE Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES, IS AWARE AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED VIA SERVICE AND TECH BULLETINS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATED ISSUE. ISSUE IS KNOWN AND COMMON WITH ALL 3.7L AND 3.5L FORD ENGINES. MANUFACTURER HAS HAD PETTY AND CLASS ACTION SUITS RELATED TO THIS FAILURE AND IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO REMEDY ASIDE FROM A "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR CERTIAN COUNTRIES BUT SAID WARRANTY DOES NOT HELP THOSE WHO PURCHASED VEHICLES USED AND HAVE NO VEHICLE HISTORY TO SEE IF THE "SERVICE INTERVALS" WERE MET LEAVING THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH REPAIR BILLS THAT COST AT MINIMUM OVER FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES. MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS ON MY VEHICLE AD WELL AS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE WORLD. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO LAMPS. ONLY POSSIBLE WAY YOU CAN EVEN TELL IS BY THE TIME ITS TOO LATE AND THE COOLANT AND OIL MIX RESULTING IN MILKY LIKE MIXTURE ON DIPSTICK OR IN OIL PAN OR ENGINE FAILURE.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Steering · 140,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and steering angle and torque sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2024 · Steering · VA

The contact's client owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her and her client were driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and the vehicle failed to steer as intended. The vehicle was taken to a parking lot and turned off. The vehicle was restarted after a while and a “Service Power Steering Now” message displayed, and the steering wheel seized and would not turn as needed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Steering · 141,000 miles · ND

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was linked to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Steering · 142,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front ball joints, front control arms, and front struts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving to the dealer, the steering wheel seized inadvertently and would not turn to the right. The steering could be turned to the left, almost causing a crash. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred the same day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and the electronic gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Steering · 130,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel malfunctioned and momentarily seized and could not be turned. Moments later the steering wheel would turn however, the steering wheel would shake and vibrate abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the entire suspension system, but the failure persisted. The dealer later diagnosed that the steering gear was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Steering · 85,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex. While driving 10 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The driver powered off the engine while in traffic. Once restarted, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was later taken to banner ford (1943 n causeway blvd, mandeville, la 70471, (985) 234-5678) where it was diagnosed that the electric assist steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2019 · Steering · 162,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex. While driving various speeds, a grinding noise was present coming from the front end of the vehicle. Later, while driving, the 'power steering fault' message displayed before the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to autonation ford burleson (850 n burleson blvd, burleson, tx 76028), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Steering · 108,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex. While driving out of the driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called stevens ford of milford (located at 717 bridgeport ave, milford, ct 06460, (203) 876-6464) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Engine · 60,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to evergreen ford lincoln (1500 18th avenue nw, assaquah, wa 98027) where it was diagnosed that the timing belt was stretched. Since the timing belt was directly linked to the water pump, a new engine was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Fuel system · 58,799 miles · CA

I parked the vehicle on the mall parking lot on mid-day of july 11, 2018 in cypress, ca. As I turned on ignition to start the engine, it failed to run. Immediately I suspected that the fuel pump is not supplying enough fuel to the injectors; I called ford roadside assistance for towing service to the nearest ford dealership. The service advisor will not cover this broken part -fuel pump control module because the recall only applies to the eco boost engine but not on my flex which is naturally-aspirated. I left the car for two days which they cannot duplicate the engine failure, so I drove the car home which unfortunately failed to run the next day until today. What will I do with this ford flex for me to use?

Filed Apr 24, 2018 · Steering · 77,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (mace ford, 4501 s us hwy 41, terre haute, in 47802), but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.