2013 Ford Flex — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2013 Ford Flex is an SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 24 mpg (UK) / 20 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–24 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Ford Flex workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2012 Ford Flex: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 24 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 24 combined / 22 urban / 30 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 20 combined / 18 city / 25 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 272 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,350 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2013 Ford Flex across 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 20 mpg (US), or 22 to 24 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 293 | $3,550 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/25) | 272 | $3,350 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 299 | $3,700 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2013 Ford Flex
Running Costs: 2013 Ford Flex
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2013 Ford Flex at 24 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,515 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2013 Ford Flex Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2013 Ford Flex (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Fuel system (3), Suspension (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Suspension — campaign 20V072000, reported 10 February 2020. Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fuel system — campaign 16V621000, reported 25 August 2016. Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fuel system — campaign 15V812000, reported 2 December 2015. Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Steering — campaign 15V340000, reported 2 June 2015. Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 6 campaigns.
Owners have filed 580 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Flex. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (201), Steering (149), Unspecified (78). Complaints include 11 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 13 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 124 complaints across the 10 Ford Flex model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2013 Ford Flex
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (201 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Steering (1 recall campaign · 149 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Body structure (69 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Fuel system (3 recall campaigns) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Ford Flex compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 24 mpg figure is 3 mpg below that average. Its 272 g/km CO₂ figure is 19 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Ford models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2013 Ford Flex's 24 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 272 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km higher than the 255 g/km Ford average.
Of the 10 Ford Flex model years we cover, the 2013 is the most economical on its best configuration (24 mpg UK combined). See every Ford Flex year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2013 Ford Flex
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2013 Ford Flex have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2013 Ford Flex: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 3.5L 6-cyl with a automatic (s6).
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Flex?
The most efficient configuration returns around 24 mpg (UK) combined, or 20 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 24 mpg.
How much does the 2013 Ford Flex cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2013 Ford Flex have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2013 Ford Flex (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Fuel system (3), Suspension (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2013 Ford Flex?
Among the 580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (201 complaints), Steering (149 complaints), Unspecified (78 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Ford Flex's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 24 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.