Page 3 of 3 · complaints 101–139 of 139

2010 Ford Flex complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2010 record →

Seats
Filed Mar 19, 201460,000 milesAR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CONTROLS HAVE STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2010 FORD FLEX, LEAVING MY SEAT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE (FORWARD, BACKWARD, UP OR DOWN) TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT DRIVERS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DISCOVERED IN SUMMER 2013 - ELIMINATING THE ABILITY FOR MY WIFE/CO-OWNER TO REGULARLY DRIVE THE CAR. MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WAS GOOD TO WORK WITH WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE CAR TO BE FIXED. UNFORTUNATELY - THE FIX DID NOT WORK - NOR DID THE 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, IN JANUARY 2014, THE SEAT CONTROLS WORKED MOMENTARILY AND THEN CEASED WORKING. TO ACCOMMODATE OTHER DRIVERS INCLUDING MY WIFE, WE MUST PLACE PILLOWS BEHIND THE DRIVER TO ENABLE HER TO REACH THE PEDALS. I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY - WHEN MY WIFE MUST DRIVE THE FLEX. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE MUST DRIVE THIS CAR, BUT I WOULD RATHER AVOID PUTTING MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 29, 201392,504 milesIN

WAS PULLING INTO GAS STATION TODAY AND BREAKING AT PUMP WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I APPLIED BREAK HARD, TIRES SPUN UNTIL I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. RPMS HAD SHOT UP, DID NOT LOOK DOWN BUT COULD HEAR ENGINE REVVING. WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IF I HAD NOT BEEN AT THE GAS PUMP. WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER ASAP FOR INSPECTION. THIS S THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN LAST 2 WEEKS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 19, 201337,500 milesPA

ORIGINAL OWNER 2010 FORD FLEX, ECOBOOST ENGINE: SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITH SHUDDERING AND STALL IN FAST LANE; UP HILL WHILE PASSING AT SPEED, 60MPH TO 20MPH IN SECONDS CAUSING NEAR COLLISION FROM BEHIND. ENGINE WOULD NOT RECOVER, 20MPH IN FAST LANE WITH SEMI'S AND SPEEDING TRAFFIC, NO PULL-OFF AREA. CLEAR DRY DAY, TEMPERATURE AROUND 55 DEGREE. NOT THE FIRST TIME ENGINE SHUDDERING EXPERIENCED, BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS. ALWAYS OCCURS DURING ACCELERATION (PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR PASSING, ETC.). BEGAN TO NOTICE LOSS OF POWER, WHINING AND GRINDING NOISES FROM TURBOS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO; SUBSEQUENT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BOTH TURBO CHARGERS WITH BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE AND OIL DRIPPING FROM EXHAUSTS. 38K MILES, GARAGE KEPT, ALL SERVICE POINTS MAINTAINED, DRIVEN LIKE GRANDMOTHER SINCE NEW. FIST THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 18K MILES, NOW ENGINE FAILURE AT 38K. DO SOMETHING NTSB BEFORE THESE VEHICLES KILL SOMEONE! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 25, 2013FL

2010 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. HE WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE, SO IT TRAVELED ONLY ABOUT 5 TO 10 FEET. LAST WEEK, THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONICS, AND THE ACCELERATOR UNIT WAS REPLACED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 31, 201366,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WHEN HE OVERFLOW VALVE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT SPORADICALLY, THE VALVE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO BE FILLED TO CAPACITY AND WHEN ATTEMTPING TO FILL THE TANK, IT WOULD OFTEN TAKE APPROXIMATLEY 30 MINUTES TO FILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 9, 201367,462 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED THAT CYLINDER NUMBER 4 HAD FAILED WITHOUT COMPRESSION AND ALSO MISFIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,462.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 201343,000 milesKY

THE CALIPER BROKE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, LEAVING MY BRAKE ENGAGED. HAD TO GET NEW CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS. THE CALIPERS WERE ON BACK ORDER FROM FORD FOR 2 WEEKS. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 9, 201393,818 milesMO

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A JEEP WAS THROWN INTO THE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE BY A FORD F-150, TOTALING OUR VEHICLE, AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NONE OF THEM. WE WERE AT A STOP SIGN AND ALL WALKED AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT, BUT THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER ALL SAID SOMETHING WAS WRONG FOR THE METAL IBEAM BEHIND THE BUMPER TO BE CRUSHED INTO THE RADIATOR AND FOR OUR AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAD ALREADY DEEMED OUR FLEX AS A TOTAL LOSS BUT MENTIONED THAT HAD WE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WE WOULD NEED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER WHY THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED AND HAVE IT FIXED. WE WOULD STILL LIKE TO INVESTIGATE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED AND TO ENSURE THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT OR THAT A RECALL IS ISSUED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS SAFETY FEATURE MALFUNCTION HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

Engine
Filed May 28, 201313,000 milesVA

2010 FORD FLEX ECOBOOST WE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER AND SHAKING UPON ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR DETERMINE ANY PROBLEMS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A TOLL BOOTH. THE CAR ENGINE LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND DIED SEVERAL TIMES. THE RESULT AFTER THIS INCIDENT WAS A DEAD ENGINE THAT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. *TR

Engine
Filed May 28, 20134,000 milesMA

V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE, HAS SAME ACCELERATION / STALLING SYMPTOMS AS THE F150 ECOBOOST HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME A WEEK, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO HELP WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. STARTED WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASE (NEW) IN 2010. HTTP://WWW.LATIMES.COM/NEWS/LA-FI-HY-FORD-F150-ECOBOOST-INVESTIGATION-20130526,0,2968753.STORY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 29, 201372,000 milesMI

SITTING AT RED LIGHT..FOOT ON BRAKE...CAR LURCHED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING CAR IN FRONT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES. THIRD TIME MARCH 29, 2013 CAR WAS COASTING ABOUT 2-5 MILES AN HOUR...SUDDEN ACCELERATION SO CAR LURCHED FORWARD. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 18, 201353,431 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AS THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN, AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. FIRST THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN ALL LIGHTS WITHIN THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER CAME ON. TRAFFIC BEGAN TO PICK BACK UP AND I WAS GOING UP HILL, YET I WAS MERELY COASTING AT THE SPEED I WAS BEFORE I STOPPED AND SLOWING DOWN. LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THE SPEED WAS BECAUSE I WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT I SHOULD DO. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND NOT ABLE TO GET OVER. WITH MY WIFE AND TWO TODDLERS IN THE CAR, I THOUGHT QUICKLY AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT WORKED, AND I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE WITHOUT EVEN MAKING A TRAFFIC BACKUP. ALL THIS HAPPEN SO FAST. I DROPPED EVERYONE OFF AND TOOK IT TO A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO SO FAR HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ERRORS IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ERROR. THEY TOLD ME "I" WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT MORE TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS GOING ON. SO IN ORDER FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ERROR, (THAT I HAVE FOUND ALL OVER THE WEB (ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN) REGARDING THE FORD FLEX), MORE WITH THE 2009 MODELS; I HAVE TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. (THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME). THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET FOR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 201311,000 milesNY

WHEN STOPPING I WOULD FEEL THE CAR RESISTING STOPPING. I THOUGHT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING. I THEN REALIZED I WAS STEPPING ON BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE SAME FOOT. THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE HARDER I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SEPARATION BETWEEN THE PEDALS. THERE ARE SIMILAR REPORTS FROM FLEX OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. *TR

Tires
Filed Feb 27, 201322,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H725A TIRES SIZE P235/60R17 (N/A), DOT NUMBER 5MJCDFHP4209. THE CONTACT STATED ALL FOUR TIRES WERE BALD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND OFFERED NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE OR ANY ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE OR OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE TIRES. THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS 22,000.

Seats
Filed Nov 20, 201243,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO STAYED LATCH DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CUDDLE CATCH THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Power TrainFire
Filed Oct 25, 201262,900 milesIN

SUDDEN LEAKING PTU CAUSED FAILURE AND FLUID TO CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN EXPOSED TO EXHAUST DIRECTLY UNDER UNIT . DAMAGE ALSO RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING DAMAGE AND SEVERE POWERTRAIN FAILURE. FORD HAD TWO TBS TO REPLACE PTU HOWEVER NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 22, 201226,000 milesMA

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CAR SIMPLY DIES. ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. LEFT WITH NO BRAKES, STEERING, OR CONTROL. DEALER BROUGHT IN ENGINEER, AFTER A WEEK WITH THE CAR DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDES NOTHING IS WRONG AND FORCE ME TO TAKE DANGEROUS CAR BACK. INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE IN THE MONTH OF APRIL/MAY. *TT

Engine
Filed May 14, 201223,500 milesPA

VEHICLE BOGS DOWN DURING ACCELERATION. NO TROUBLE CODES SHOWN. NOT SPEED SPECIFIC. MPG HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM 24 HIGHWAY MPG, TO 14 HIGHWAY MPG. JUST HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED. FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS FIGHTING ITSELF AGAIN. *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 3, 201220,000 milesCO

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2010 FORD FLEX, VIN #[XXX]. MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM EPISODIC BRAKE FAILURES. THIS OCCURS AS THE VEHICLE IS FIRST DRIVEN OFF AND THE ENGINE IS COLD. BRAKING POWER IS THEN REDUCED TO 10% OF NORMAL, RESULTING IN ALARMINGLY LONG STOPPING DISTANCES. ONCE DRIVEN A FEW MILES THE BRAKES RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION. THE ISSUE SURFACED AT 20,000 MILES IN JANUARY 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PINPOINTED TO A PROBABLE VACUUM LOSS PRESENT ONLY ON THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE DRIVEN AT ALTITUDE ABOVE 7000 FEET AND SHARE THE FLEXES?? ECOBOOST AWD DRIVE TRAIN. I LIVE AT 9000 FT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, SUMMIT FORD OF SILVERTHORNE COLORADO, HAS ACKNOWLEDGED I AM NOT ALONE WITH A VEHICLE EXPERIENCING THIS DANGEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEM BUT ADMITS TO BEING UNABLE TO FIX IT AND HAS NOTHING FURTHER TO OFFER. TO DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. HOWEVER IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A FEW DISTRESSING CLOSE CALLS. FORD MOTOR CO. WAS INITIALLY ALERTED OF THIS SITUATION BY PHONE IN APRIL 2010 WITH A CALL TO THEIR CONSUMER RESOLUTION CENTER. MY REQUEST FOR HELP IS BEING IGNORED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. MY PHONE CALLS ARE NOT RETURNED, MY EMAILS ARE IGNORED, EVEN CERTIFIED MAIL IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. IT HAS BEEN MY DESIRE TO WORK WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SOLVING THIS ISSUE BUT I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY COMMUNICATIONS, FORD HAS BEEN ALERTED TO THIS PUBLIC SAF

Visibility
Filed Feb 28, 2012500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD SWING BACK AND FOURTH WHEN EXTENDED. THE SUN VISOR WOULD BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY AND WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD IN PLACE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 04/13/12

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 5, 201220,000 milesNJ

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN ON A ROLLING STOP, FIRST INCIDENT ROLLING STOP ON A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC SECOND INCIDENT ROLLING STOP TO A STOP LIGHT THIRD INCIDENT SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 25, 201110,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY JERKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 22, 201130 milesWI

AFTER OWNING THE NEW VEHICLE FOR THREE MONTHS IT STARTED RANDOMLY SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. AT FIRST, IT DID THIS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS, LEFT TURNS AND MERGING). IT NOW DOES IT THEN AND IN ADDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - 50+. IT ALSO AT TIMES HAS ENGINE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO SURGES AND HESITATES AT 45MPH TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AT TIMES CAUSING SUCH A SPEED VARIANCE THAT IT WILL SHUT CRUISE CONTROL OFF, SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND RAPIDLY DECELERATE BEFORE CORRECTING ITSELF. THERE HAVE BEEN 5 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY SENT IT HOME WITH ME UNTIL IT DOES IT "ALL THE TIME" OR BREAKS DOWN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 15, 201119,000 milesTX

2010 FORD FLEX FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE DUE TO GRINDING AND WEAR. BACK BRAKE CALIPERS AND BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO STICKING AND UNEVEN WEAR ON TIRES. *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 28, 20119,000 milesFL

MY 2010 FORD FLEX STATION WAGON HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, WHEN PASSING A CAR OR WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS OPEN. THESE VENTS SENSE THE BALANCE IN PRESSURE AND OPEN WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. FOUR SEPARATE TIMES THE SERVICE MANAGERS AND MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NEW PROBLEM AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THEY HAVE HEARD OF WITH THIS EXHAUST LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO SOLUTION OR REPAIR THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE 2 VENTS BEHIND THE REAR BUMPER OF THAT ALLOW THE CABIN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE WHEN THE DOORS CLOSE. THESE VENTS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY ALLOWING THE EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAD RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THEY CALLED AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. THE VEHICLE SAT FOR 24 HOURS AND I WAS CALLED AND TOLD TO GO RENT A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A MECHANIC DELAY. BEFORE I GOT HOME MY VEHICLE WAS STOLEN FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE STOLEN FROM THE LOT. WITHIN TWO DAYS OF TALKING TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY I FOUND ANOTHER FORD FLEX HAD BEEN STOLEN FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME THREE RECURRING PROBLEMS AS MY VEHICLE. A THIRD VEHICLE HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAS BEEN IN EIGHT TIMES FOR THE EXHAUST REPAIRS. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAVE BEEN SERVICED FOR DIFFERENT PRO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 27, 201122,000 milesCO

2010 FORD FLEX BAD BRAKE ISSUE. I LIVE AT HIGH ALTITUDE AND HAVE A FORD FLEX ECO BOOST THAT PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY UP UNTIL ABOUT 21K MILES WHEN WE HAD A BRAKE FAILURE, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR. THE DEALER REPLACED A MASTER BRAKE BOOSTER AND SINCE THAT TIME WE INTERMITTENTLY GET A HARD BRAKE PEDAL AND NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH THE PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON ALSO LIVING AT THE SAME ALTITUDE ABOUT 9,200 FEET IN SUMMIT COUNTY CO WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME SERIES OF EVENTS ALTHOUGH CURRENTLY HE IS DOWN IN TEXAS WITH NO ISSUES. A THIRD PERSON IN WYOMING WHO IS ABOUT 6,000 FEET IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAVE SENT TWO ENGINEERS TO LOOK AT IT WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE HARD PEDAL BUT THE GM AT THE DEALER HAS, NEVER THE LESS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD AND YOU HAVE ABOUT 10% BRAKING. MY WIFE ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT FOR ABOUT 20 FEET BEFORE SHE COULD FINALLY STOPPED SHE WAS LUCKY NO CAR WAS COMING AT THE TIME. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT HIGH ALTITUDE APPARENTLY. WHICH MEANS THAT PEOPLE DRIVING UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS TO GO SKIING OR WHATEVER MAY GET AN AWFUL SURPRISE IF THEIR BRAKES FAIL. I HAVE POSTED UNDER THE WWW.FORDFLEXFORUM.COM AND WWW.FORDFLEX.NET WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE REPLIES FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR UP UNTIL ABOUT 21K MILES FOR ALL THREE CARS I KNOW ABOUT THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART SOMEWHERE. WE

Electrical System
Filed May 3, 201120,000 milesVA

2010 FORD FLEX 20000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING @40MILES PER HOUR , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STALLED. GAS ACCELERATOR WAS INOPERABLE. OPERATOR WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE INTO A SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BRING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THIS IS THE 1ST OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED BACK UP. THEREFORE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WARRENTON VA ON 05//03/11 ALSO HAD INCIDENT WITH THROTTLE BODY CAUSING TO CAR TO LURCH FORWARD AND ACCELERATE ERRATICALLY REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP APPROX FEBRUARY 2011 AND HAVE HAD ONE ADDITIONAL OCCURRENCE SINCE REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLEBODY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 29, 20119,300 milesWA

POTENTIAL BRAKING FAILURE. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED AFTER SECOND VISIT THAT A FACTORY DEFECT CAUSED THE FRONT CALIPERS TO BECOME LOOSE FROM THE RESPECTED BACKING PLATES AND HAVE ENLARGED THE MOUNTING HOLES. THE FRONT CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND BACKING PLATES MUST BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 28, 201024,000 milesCA

2010 FORD FLEX HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR BRAKE ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME NOTHING WAS FOUND AND NOTHING WAS RESOLVED. THE SECOND TIME WAS FOR THE TSB TO REPAIR THE ISSUE THAT WAS NOT FOUND ON THE FIRST VISIT. THE THIRD TIME WAS FOR REAR BRAKES THAT HAD AN INITIAL GRINDING NOISE THAT YOU COULD ALSO FEEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL ALONG WITH THE SMELL OF SMOKE WHEN DRIVEN. THE DEALER CHARGED A $70 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO STATE THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE OBVIOUS REASON ON WHY THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOT ONLY DID THE BRAKES DISINTEGRATE BUT IT HAD ALSO RUINED THE ROTORS. IN WHICH THEY ARE ASKING FOR THE COST OF LABOR AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 8, 2010CO

2010 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WITH THE BRAKES ONLY HAPPENED FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. ONCE HE BEGAN DRIVING, THE PEDAL WAS SO STIFF, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING TO STOP, THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE VERY HARD AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE, THE BRAKES SEEMED FINE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER STATED A NEW BRAKE BOOSTER WAS NEEDED WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED INITIALLY, BUT IT SLOWLY RETURNED. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, FORD LATER STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. AN ENGINEER FROM CORPORATE THEN CAME OUT AND TESTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 13, 201014,000 milesMI

2010 FLEX LIMITED IN APRIL 2010 I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT ROTORS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ROADS WERE WET. WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON A FIX FOR IT--FOR VEHICLES UNDER 18,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 14,000 ON IT AT THE TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY FIXED OR TRIED TO FIX. LATER IN THE SUMMER, IT RETURNED, AGAIN MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN RAINING. WHEN REPORTING IT TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER SERVICE REP SAID THAT THE COMPANY WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NOT COME UP WITH A FIX--BUT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. MY WIFE TOOK IT IN AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM GETTING WORSE. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY BELIEVED ME. THEY ORDERED THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT. I HEARD NOTHING AFTER THREE WEEKS, SO I STOPPED BY THE DEALER; OH, THEY JUST CAME IN YESTERDAY--SEEMS LIKE THEIR SYSTEM SHOULD BE SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO CONTACT ME WHEN THE PARTS COME IN, AS THERE WAS NO FOLLOW-UP TO CONTACT ME--EVEN THOUGH THEY APPARENTLY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND IT APPEARS TO BE FIXED--FOR NOW. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 10, 201013,000 milesFL

PURCHASE FORD FLEX 2010 MODEL, FIRST COMPLAINT OCCUR LATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010, FRONT BRAKES PADS WERE NOT WORKING AND PULLING HARD. RETURN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED THE CAR, TELLING ME THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THREE MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENTS ALREADY. I RETURN IN SEPTEMBER 2010 WITH SAME PROBLEM, NOW I HAVE WAITED OVER A WEEK FOR PARTS ON "BACK ORDER" HOPING THIS WILL BE A PERMANENT FIX. DON'T HAVE CAR, STILL WAITING. MY FORD MOTOR CONTACT IN THE COMPLAINT DEPT WENT ON VACATION, NOW I UNABLE TO CONTACT ANYONE TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY CAR. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Sep 2, 201010 milesVA

I HAVE A 5-MONTH OLD, 2010 FORD FLEX LIMITED, AND I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE AUTO REAR HATCH NOT BEING SAFE. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN IN AUTOMATIC MODE-CLOSING, THE SAFETY REVERSE FEATURE IS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH TO REVERSE THE DOOR'S CLOSING APPROPRIATELY. THE ONLY THING THAT GETS THE HATCH TO "BOUNCE BACK" OR REVERSE UP IS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE A STATIONARY AND HARD OBJECT (LIKE AN ADULT'S SHOULDER WHEN STANDING STILL) IS IN THE WAY. LITERALLY, WHEN THE REAR HATCH IS LOWERING, YOU CAN GRAB IT AND TRY TO PULL IT BACK, AND IT DOES NOT STOP. I HAVE TURNED OFF THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF MY TWO BOYS -- 9 AND 12. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE DIFFERENT VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR AUTOMATIC REAR HATCH "BOUNCE BACK" FEATURE, AND WHEN I LOOKED AT HOW THEY FUNCTIONED, I REALIZED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THEY ALL STOPPED AND REVERSED DIRECTION AT ANY KIND OF BUMP. WHEN I RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALER, THEY TESTED IT AND COMPARED IT TO THE OTHER FLEXES ON THE LOT. THEY SAID THEY ALL WORKED THE SAME WAY. BUT THAT MEANS THEY ALL ARE FLAWED THEN. I ASKED IF THEY COULD ADJUST THE SENSITIVITY OF THE BOUNCE BACK FEATURE, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT. THAT ANSWER IS NO ANSWER WHEN I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC REAR HATCH FEATURE TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. IT SHOULD BE MORE SENSITIVE TO OBJECT IN THE WAY, LIKE A HAND, FINGER, HEAD, ETC, AND REVERSE IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACTING THE OBJECT. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO STOP WAS TO STAND DIRECTLY UNDER IT AND HAVE IT COME DO

Trailer Hitches
Filed Jul 28, 2010IA

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2010 FORD FLEX, WITH A CLASS III TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. THE PACKAGE,ACCORDING TO FORD'S BROCHURE IS SUPPOSED TO INCLUDE A TIRE MOBILITY KIT. THE KIT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS ESSENTIALLY MADE UP OF AN AIR COMPRESSOR AND A CAN OF SEALANT COMPOUND USED TO PLUG A HOLE IN A TIRE. THEREFORE THE COMPRESSOR INJECTS THE SEALANT COMPOUND,WHILE INFLATING THE TIRE. ON PAGE 309, OF THE OWNER'S GUIDE, IS THE FOLLOWING WARNING: " WARNING: WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, USE THE TEMPORARY MOBILITY KIT AND NOT THE MINI SPARE TIRE IF NECESSARY. THE MINI SPARE TIRE IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE HIGHER TOWING LOAD LIMITS OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN TOWING HEAVY LOADS WITH THE MINI SPARE TIRE, VEHICLE HANDLING MAY BE DIMINISHED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY." MY CAR IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE TIRE MOBILITY KIT, AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLS ME, "IF YOUR CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, IT WILL NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH THE TIRE MOBILITY KIT". IT SEEMS STUPID TO ME, AND PERHAPS CRIMINAL, THAT THEY INCLUDE THE WARNING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND REFUSE TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT THEY CLAIM TO BE NECESSARY, AND WHICH THEY CLAIM IS INCLUDED IN THEIR SALES BROCHURE. INCIDENTALLY, IT TOOK THE SALESMAN TWO WEEKS TO COME UP WITH FORD'S EXPLANATION, AND HE SAID, "IT'S ALL HUSH HUSH". *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 20102,990 milesTX

2010 FORD FLEX 2000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING @ 35 MILES PER HOUR , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STALLED. GAS ACCELERATOR WAS INOPERABLE. OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO DRIVE INTO A PARKING LOT CLOSE BY AND BRING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. CAR TURNED ON AFTER THE 5TH ATTEMPT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE 1ST OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED RIGHT AWAY. THIS 2ND OCCURRENCE IT TOOK AWHILE. THEREFORE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ( NORTH PARK LINCOLN FORD IN SAN ANTONIO, TX )ON 06/09/10 AND OBD CAME BACK WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT FORD ENGINEER WAS ON PROPERTY AND COULD NOT FIND THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 12, 20103,100 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE THROTTLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDINGLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OF ANY ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,100.

Child Seat
Filed Mar 20, 2010NJ

HELLO, 2ND ROW SEATING. THE LOWER ANCHORS OF THE LATCH SYSTEM ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO PROPERLY CLIP THE BUCKLES OF CERTAIN BRITAX CHILD SEATS. WHEN VIEWING THE CHILD SEAT'S LATCH BUCKLES FROM THE SIDEVIEW, IT RESEMBLES A SPERM WHALE'S HEAD. THE LATCH PART OF THE BUCKLE IS THE MOUTH OF THE WHALE, THE UPPER (LARGER) PART OF THE BUCKLE IS THE HEAD, AND THE NARROW PART WOULD BE THE LOWER JAW. IF BOTH BUCKLES OF THE CHILD SEAT ARE MANUFACTURED WITH THE NARROW PART FACING DOWN, THEN THE CLIPS WILL LATCH PROPERLY. BUT IF THE CLIPS ARE MANUFACTURED WITH THE LARGE PART FACING DOWN, THEN THE CLIPS WILL ONLY FIT EITHER BY CLIPPING ALMOST VERTICALLY (PARALLEL TO THE SEATBACK), OR BY TWISTING THE BUCKLE UPSIDE DOWN. SO, IT IS THE "HOOP" PART OF THE ANCHOR THAT IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH. NOTE: WE HAVE SEVERAL BRITAX CHILD SEATS WHERE EACH SEAT'S BUCKLES ARE MOUNTED DIFFERENTLY ON THE SEAT ITSELF. ONE SEAT HAS BOTH BUCKLES WITH THE NARROW SIDES DOWN, ANOTHER WITH THE NARROW SIDES UP, AND ONE SEAT WITH THE NARROW SIDE OF THE BUCKLE UP AND DOWN. NEED ADVISE. THANK YOU! (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2010, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=FLEX). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 23, 201011,500 milesWV

GOING INTO A TURN AT APPROX. 25 MPH AND MY FORD FLEX SHUT OFF. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. HAVE APPROX. 11,500 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED.*TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 5, 2010TN

POST RE: FLEX DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THURS JUN 11, 2009 6:07 PM THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY MOM WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING HERS THROUGH A PARKING LOT, IT JUST STALLED OUT! SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SAME DAY AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND SINCE THEN IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HOPE YOU HAVE BETTER LUCK WITH YOUR DEALER FINDING THE PROBLEM. !@#$%!!!!!!!! IT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY!!!!!!! I WAS ON MY WAY TO A MEETING THIS MORNING AND AS I WAS GOING INTO A CURVE THE CAR DIED!!! KAPUT! DEAD! NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING!!!! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE OTHER LANE. AND, THANK GOODNESS I HAD READ THIS POST A WHILE AGO SO I KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I TWISTED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT AND ROLLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. IT STARTED LIKE NOTHING. I CALLED MY SA WHO OBVIOUSLY SUGGESTED I BRING THE CAR OVER RIGHT AWAY, WHICH I DID. I ALSO TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS POST AND RICHMONDFLEX'S NOTE ON THE TSB (THANKS BUD!). SINCE I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR, I'M ALSO HAVING THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKE PROBLEM, WHICH IS BACK. THAT WAS A SCARY MOMENT THIS MORNING!!!! POST RE: FLEX DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FRI JUN 12, 2009 3:23 PM IN ANOTHER POST I THOUGHT OUR STEERING LOCKED UP, BUT AFTER TALKING TO MY WIFE, THE SAME STALL HAPPENED TO US (LONG STORY ON THE ACTUAL EVENT). TOTALLY FREAKED HER OUT TO THE POINT SHE WOULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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