Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Flex body problems
moderate 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 43 body complaints filed for the 2013 Ford Flex, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Ford Flex we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 43.
Owners have filed 43 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: AN INTRUSION OF WATER, FROM MOVEABLE MOONROOF, DUE TO AN OVERFLOW OF TROUGH RAILS WHEN DRAIN SYSTEM HAS OVER CAPACITIZED. MODEL 2011-14 FLEX.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure in 2013 Flex complaints centers on door latch and sensor malfunction. Owners consistently report that door sensors register doors as ajar even when fully closed. The warning light and message persist constantly or intermittently across all door positions—driver, passenger, and rear. Clearing the warning sometimes requires slamming a door up to 20 times or more, and the problem often recurs.
The knock-on failures are severe. Interior dome lights stay on continuously, draining the battery dead within days in some cases. Doors refuse to lock automatically while driving—a critical safety gap, especially with children aboard. Some owners report doors unlocking themselves at highway speeds. The vehicle security alarm triggers randomly throughout the day and night while parked, becoming a chronic nuisance.
Repair costs run $450–$515 per latch, with full door latch assembly replacement required. Multiple failures on the same vehicle are common; one owner replaced the driver-side latch twice under warranty, then paid out-of-pocket for the passenger door, rear door, and a second driver-side replacement. Ford says no recall exists and advises owners to pay for repairs, keep receipts, and hope for a future recall—despite identical defects already recalled on Ford Edge and Taurus models. One owner noted the issue "viral on the internet" among Flex owners, yet Ford customer service denies it's a known problem.
Failure modes owners describe
Door Latch/Sensor Malfunction – Door Ajar Warning
Door latch or sensor fails to recognize when a door is fully closed, causing persistent 'door ajar' warning light and message on the instrument cluster. The problem occurs across driver, passenger, and rear doors. Owners report the issue happens intermittently or constantly, regardless of weather, temperature, or driving conditions. Some owners describe the latch feeling sluggish or not springy when manually checked. The warning often triggers even after the door has been closed multiple times.
When: Onset varies widely; reported between 32,000 and 96,000 miles. One owner noted onset at 60,000 miles; another at approximately 36,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Door ajar warning light illuminated; Door ajar message on cluster; Interior dome lights remain on continuously; Doors fail to lock automatically while driving; Doors unlock themselves while vehicle is in motion; Requires repeated door slamming (up to 20+ attempts) to clear warning; Intermittent clearing of warning, then recurrence; Cluster message 'turn car off' each time brakes are applied
Repairs/costs cited: Door latch assembly replacement; some owners report full door replacement. Dealer estimates cited: $435–$515 per latch; $450+ for parts alone; approximately $500 per rear door replacement. Multiple failures on same vehicle reported (driver door replaced twice, then again; rear and passenger doors also replaced on same vehicle).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford states no recall issued. Ford customer service advised owners to pay for repairs out-of-pocket and keep receipts in case a future recall occurs. Dealership quotes provided but repairs not covered under warranty once out of warranty period. Ford claims no known problem with the Flex despite similar door latch recalls on Ford Edge, Taurus, and other models.
Battery Drain Due to Interior Lights
Interior dome and courtesy lights remain illuminated continuously when door sensor malfunction occurs, draining the battery. Owners report leaving vehicle parked results in dead or severely depleted battery within days. Vehicle becomes non-operational or fails to start due to battery discharge. One owner replaced battery twice due to this issue.
When: Occurs whenever door ajar sensor is active; can happen within days of parking vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Interior dome lights stay on continuously; Battery drained rapidly; No-start condition or difficult start; Battery-saver algorithm eventually shuts lights off but only after significant drain; Repeated battery replacements needed
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement; one owner cited $130 battery cost. Resolution requires repair of underlying door latch/sensor malfunction.
Vehicle Alarm Activation – False or Nuisance Triggers
Vehicle security alarm sounds at random times, often at night while vehicle is parked and locked. Alarm triggers when door sensor incorrectly reports door as open. Owners report alarm going off repeatedly throughout the day and especially during nighttime hours, sometimes multiple times per night.
When: Occurs intermittently at all times of day and night, in all weather conditions (rain, snow, dry).
Symptoms owners cite: Alarm sounds when vehicle is parked and locked; Alarm triggered by faulty door sensor; Alarm goes off unexpectedly while driving; Nuisance alarms disrupt sleep and daily life; Alarm cannot be easily silenced
Repairs/costs cited: Resolves once door latch/sensor malfunction is corrected.
Door Lock Failure – Automatic and Manual Locking Disabled
Doors fail to lock automatically when vehicle is in motion (typically at speeds above 25 mph, or when pressing brake pedal). Child safety locks will not engage. Automatic door locks malfunction. Manual locking via interior switches is sometimes disabled. Owners describe inability to lock doors while engine is running if keys are not in ignition, due to safety interlock design.
When: Occurs while vehicle is in motion or stationary with engine running.
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic door locks do not engage when driving; Manual door locks fail to secure; Child safety locks will not engage; Doors unlock themselves at high speeds; Doors unlock when foot is removed from brake pedal; Door lock controls unresponsive while engine running without key in ignition
Repairs/costs cited: Resolves once door latch/sensor malfunction is repaired.
Interior Light Blinding During Nighttime Driving
Interior dome lights suddenly illuminate while driving at night, reducing visibility for the driver. Lights stay on during reverse, obscuring rear and side mirror visibility and creating hazard. Lights may flash on and off repeatedly, momentarily blinding driver.
When: Occurs during nighttime driving; particularly problematic during reverse.
Symptoms owners cite: Dome lights illuminate unexpectedly during night driving; Lights remain on for 2–5 minutes initially; Lights flash on and off repeatedly; Loss of rear visibility during reverse; Loss of side mirror visibility; Driver temporarily blinded
Repairs/costs cited: Resolves once door sensor malfunction is corrected.
Windshield Molding/Panel Detachment
Front driver side windshield molding or trim panel dislodged suddenly while vehicle in motion. One owner reported molding 'blew off' at highway speed.
When: Approximately 32,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Panel/molding dislodges from front driver side windshield; Failure occurs while driving
Power Liftgate Malfunction – Unexpected Descent
Rear power liftgate descends unexpectedly while owner standing beneath it. Gate fails to rise back up. Primarily occurs in cold conditions but also reported in warmer weather (65°F).
When: Onset occurs intermittently; more frequent in cold.
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate descends without command; Liftgate strikes occupant in head/neck area; Liftgate will not raise after descent; Liftgate ajar indicator light remains on even when closed; Interior lights stay on when liftgate is closed
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford flex. The contact stated that the door ajar warning indicator illuminated even when the doors were closed. The contact stated that due to the failure, the interior lights did not cease to function, the doors would not lock, and the horns would function independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior door latches would…
Passenger driver side door always says ajar, doors don't lock, dome light always stays on. Driving, and stationary. *tr
Had body trouble with your 2013 Ford Flex?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2013 Ford Flex?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 34 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 37,991 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,991; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Flex.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.