SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Flex steering problems
severe 149 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
149
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
7crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 149 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Ford Flex, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 9 model years of Ford Flex we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 149.
Owners have filed 149 steering 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 steering 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Ford Flex models describe repeated power steering failures caused by electrical control module malfunction or steering rack structural breakdown. The most common scenario involves a "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning light appearing on the dashboard while driving, followed by the steering wheel becoming hard to turn or completely unresponsive. Some owners report the system resets temporarily if they restart the engine; others experience total failure that persists. Failures happen during parking maneuvers, highway turns, and routine driving, sometimes at low mileage (55,000 miles) and sometimes at higher mileage (140,000+ miles).
Owners consistently reference Ford Recall 15S18 (NHTSA 15V340000), issued in 2015 for power steering control module failure. However, many report their VINs fall outside the recall's manufacture-date window (ending February 28, 2012), even though their vehicles exhibit identical symptoms. Dealerships and Ford customer service repeatedly deny coverage based on VIN exclusion, leaving owners to pay for repairs themselves—typically $2,000 or more for steering rack or control module replacement.
Several owners describe dangerous near-miss incidents: steering failure while merging on highways, during sharp turns, and while navigating curves. Some note that the manual steering effort required is far greater than older non-electric power steering systems, making it difficult or impossible to control the vehicle safely if power assist is lost while traveling at speed or in traffic.
Owners express frustration that Ford appears to have known about the defect (reflected in the recall) yet applied an arbitrary manufacture-date cutoff, leaving vehicles with identical faults unrepaired and uncompensated.
Same Ford Flex steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss or assist fault — electrical control module failure
Loss of power steering assist, stiffening of steering wheel, or sudden failure of electric power steering system. Owners report the steering wheel becoming hard to turn or completely unresponsive, often triggered by reversing, turning, or normal driving. System may reset temporarily when vehicle is restarted.
When: Occurs across mileage range from 55,000 to 213,000 miles. Many failures happen during parking maneuvers, turns on streets/highways, or at low speeds. Some intermittent failures over months before complete loss.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist warning light or 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message on dash; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff or unresponsive to driver input; Complete loss of power steering capability; Intermittent failures that may resolve temporarily with engine restart; Simultaneous warnings for 'Service AdvanceTrac' or 'Advanced Traction Control' failure; Steering wheel shuddering or vibration; Steering wheel jerking or fighting driver input
Codes mentioned: U3000:49 (Power Steering Internal Failure / Control Module Internal Electronic Failure), U3000-72 (Power Steering Control Module Failure), U0401 (Invalid Data Received from ECM/PCM), U0401-72 (Lost Communication with BCM), B1215 (Body Control Module Failure), Steering motor sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of power steering control module (PSCM), entire power steering rack, steering gear assembly, rack and pinion, or electronic steering gear box. Software updates to PSCM performed at some dealerships. Estimated costs $2,000–$2,000+ for rack replacement alone; some dealers charged $500–$1,400 for control module updates or repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15S18 (NHTSA 15V340000) issued June 2, 2015, covers certain 2011–2012 Ford Flex and select 2013 Flex models manufactured between 9/7/2010 and 2/28/2012. Recall specifies PSCM software update or steering gear replacement, free of charge. Many owners report their VINs fall outside the recall's manufacture-date window (post-Feb 2012) despite identical symptoms. Ford and dealerships consistently deny coverage citing VIN exclusion. Some owners report warranty expiration denying coverage due to mileage or age.
Steering rack or steering gear structural failure
Physical failure of steering rack, pinion, or electronic steering gear components. Owners report complete steering lockup during turns or inability to maneuver the vehicle. Often involves a popping or mechanical sound, followed by total steering failure.
When: Occurs at varying mileages, with some failures in the 55,000–100,000 mile range and others at 140,000+ miles. Typically while turning or during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or seizes in place; Popping sound from steering area followed by loss of steering control; Inability to turn steering wheel in one or both directions; Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn even after restart; Vehicle drifts or pulls in unintended direction
Codes mentioned: Diagnostic codes not consistently provided; some inspection findings note 'rack and pinion failure' or 'steering gear failure' without specific DTC
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering rack, steering gear assembly, rack and pinion, or electronic steering gearbox required. One owner reports $1,500 in radiator damage resulting from improper handling during towing/service. Parts costs and labor quoted at $2,000+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under Recall 15S18 for vehicles outside the specified manufacture date. Owners report dealerships cite lack of recall coverage and either refuse repair or deny warranty coverage.
Steering control module sensor fault or angle-position sensor failure
Malfunction of steering motor sensor, angle-position sensor, or torque sensor within the steering control system, leading to loss of steering assist or system shutdown.
When: Varies; may occur intermittently over several months before complete failure, or suddenly during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering motor sensor fault message displayed; Reduced steering assist or complete loss of assist; Difficulty turning steering wheel; System failure upon vehicle startup
Codes mentioned: Steering motor sensor fault (message-based, not always DTC code provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report being told angle-position sensor and steering gear require replacement. Specific parts replacement and costs not detailed in most narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15S18 addresses this issue in covered vehicles by software update to PSCM or steering gear replacement. Vehicles outside recall window denied coverage.
Synthesized from 149 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving, the power steering warning light illuminated and steering assist was lost. The steering became extremely hard, especially at low speeds. The vehicle makes grinding/whining noises when turning, and the car vibrates while in Drive. This creates a serious safety concern, especially during turns and parking maneuvers. Issue appears to be electric power steering (EPAS) failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford flex. After starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. Moments later, while driving, the "check charging" indicator illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was…
While driving I lost all power steering and almost lost control, thankfully it didn't happen while my wife was driving with the kids. I was able to pull off the road and shut the vehicle off. I restarted and the power steering was restored. This occured several times over the next few days until the power steering just stopped working all together. I checked for recalls and found that there was a…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Ford Flex?
It's a meaningful issue. 149 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 106 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 70,000 and 134,000 miles, with the median around 100,380. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 134,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.