Ford Flex battery drain problems

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Body · MI

Repeated problems with door latch system in 2013 Ford Flex. Door is interpreted as being ajar, despite being closed. Two warning lights/messages to this effect persist, interior lights will not turn off (which drains the battery), doors will not automatically lock while driving in this condition and as I understand it, if an accident occurred, the airbags would NOT deploy due to the doors not being 'locked'. This is a serious safety issue and causes continual drain on the battery if left in this condition. The only way to sometimes get it to recognize the door being shut is to repeatedly close the door, often having to slam the door shut; this can take up to 15 attempts. Driver's door has been cycled & subsequently replaced six months later. We are taking it in now for a likely 2nd replacement on this door alone. The rear right passenger door & front passenger door have each been replaced as well. The first two repairs/replacement on the driver's door were under warranty, the remaining 2 replacements (and upcoming additional replacement) have been and will be at our own cost. This same door latch system has been recalled on three different occasions on other Ford models, yet not on the Flex. There should be a recall on this 2013 Ford Flex and we should get refunds for our out-of-pocket costs for this repeated and known problem.

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · Electrical · CA

Few months back the car stopped working. I took it to repair shop (#1), and they told me I needed to replace the battery. I had them install a new battery, and the car started again. Couple of days later, the car was dead again, so I jumped it. I jumped it about 3 more times, within 2 weeks, so I decided to take it back to the same repair shop, and they told me maybe I got a defective battery, so I exchanged battery for a new one, again. Few days later, the car was dead again, so I took it to another repair shop (#2), and explained the problem. They told they'll run a diagnosis and would let me know They kept it for 4 days, and the end result was; the car started every time they tried it. The car would run for few days, then the same thing wold happen - completely dead! I took it to a different repair shop (#3), and again, they told me they run it everyday, and they could not find anything wrong. All three repair shops said their machine did not come up with any code. All fuses and relays tested OK. It has been over six months, and I am still having the same issue. 2 or 3 days, and the car is completely dead. I don't drive it as much now, because I am afraid the car will die on me at any time, without notice. From what I've read, I think my car has a "parasitic drain" somewhere.

Filed Nov 6, 2022 · Body, Electrical · CA

Door sensor states door is ajar when it is closed, causing battery drainage and safety concern about doors

Filed Oct 2, 2021 · Electrical · UT

Driver side door locks are malfunctioning. the system says the door is open when it is securely closed. The system won’t turn off interior lights which drains the battery. It also won’t allow locks to lock thinking the door is ajar. There are recalls for this issue on other Ford SUV’s but not for the Flex.

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Body · 30,000 miles · VA

Flex is a super long vehicle with large rear latch door that accesses back half of car. Today, taking dog to vet, put him in crate in back, behind another crate, through rear door. However, battery was dead. Now needed to get dog out to go in another vehicle -- but rear door locked and there was/is no way to open the back up to get him out with dead battery. Only with electricity. So I had to take out both crates and get him out through the front -- long process. If there had been emergency, he'd be dead. Danger -- no mechanical way to open back access door of vehicle! Not even emergency lever or key. I checked with ford.

Filed Sep 7, 2020 · Body · 85,000 miles · LA

Door adjar. Door opened while driving. Door randomly unlocks and sets alarm off. Has caused a dead battery. Will lock & unlock while traveling.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Electrical · GA

Received letter from ford advising they would replace driver door sensor due to issues that result in it reading door ajar, resulting in dome lights staying on and battery drain. The same issue occurs on other doors, specifically on mine the back driver side door. This happens sporadically, while driving, while parked, even when the door is not utilized.

Filed Jan 29, 2020 · Body · 102,000 miles · MO

Door latch failure. Noticed problem with door ajar light lit for a couple days. Subsequent battery draining problems. Seems due to keeping lights on in car because it thought doors were open even though they were securely shut. Within couple days front doors were totally inoperable. Could not open from inside or out of car. Required entry from rear seat. Then upon driving to dealer for diagnosis the door ajar light lit up and released the door latches so that both of the doors attempted to open while driving at highway speed. This condition happened twice. This issue seems to directly mimic multiple known issues for ford flex models and many other ford models around this same time. At this time, 2015 flex models are not included (despite the obvious exact same condition). I have been notified by my local dealer, fulton ford in fulton, mo that it will cost me nearly $1000 to repair both front doors that failed at the same time. Repair is to take place on 01/30/20 (was diagnosed on 01/29/20). They have checked and acknowledge this might be a wider ford issue but our car simply doesn't have a current recall so nothing they can do. Seems totally out of place since there is enough evidence that this is an ongoing problem with ford door latches.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Fuel system, Lights · NY

Now replacing the fuel modual sensor for the 3rd time in 5yrs. This is a known issue for other ford vehicles. Car will not start and needs to be towed each time. Front passenger door sensor doesn't work and interior light remains on until vehicle reaches 10mph. Interior light will not turn off and battery drains.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 23,000 miles · OH

Left passenger door ajar alarm comes on randomly and causes the dome light to stay on and drain the battery when the car is stationary. Unsafe when it happens when driving at night as it is hard to see the road and causes stress to the driver and to passengers, especially children as the doors will not lock whole moving.