2012 Ford Flex

Routine

Owners filed 64 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Ford Flex years to avoid. Which Ford Flex years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

46 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.

Most common 2012 Ford Flex problems

21 of the 64 complaints (33%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering20
200
Engine8
000
Electrical System7
010
Service Brakes · brakes6
101
Unknown or Other5
001
Suspension3
000
Air Bags · airbags3
101
Structure › Body · body and frame2
001
Power Train · transmission2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal16V247000
Filed Apr 26, 2016695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System15V340000
Filed Jun 2, 2015393,623 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

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.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Dec 30, 2025180,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic had heard the abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel but had not run a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and had related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2025GA

There is serious safety trouble occurring with the power steering components, and the brake system. I went to the Ford dealership and they said the recalls weren’t fixed back in 2015. And those recalls are the same issues that are occurring with my 2012 Ford Flex SE now. I just bought this vehicle and there is grinding noise when steering my vehicle and the ABS brake system comes on as soon as I crank up the vehicle and the brake goes down to the floor too loosely. The dealership says these potential recalls were noted for this 2012 Ford Flex in 2015. But the owner at the time didn’t have them fixed then because not all 2012 Ford Flex received the recalls at the same time. And the power steering components and brake system problems are very unsafe while I’m driving the vehicle and as I was told could cause a fatal car accident if not fixed.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Apr 23, 2025CA

Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant failure that had a Safety recall and it was a 'safety recall'. I couldn't steer my car. Very scary! please investigate this and make sure that it was fixed right the first time. it should not have gone out. I hardly drive my car. thank you

Steering
Filed Feb 28, 202540,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions, including while the contact was driving. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2025CA

Vehicle power steering stops working. Manual steering is extremely difficult to operate.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 23, 2024LA

Front Passenger seat air bag light is on all the time. should I stop driving the car? Is this dangerous what does it mean? It is a 2012 Ford flex which I love and have not had any trouble with.

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 2024108,000 milesOR

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving 10 MPH and attempting to leave a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After the failure occurred, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was parked, and then the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The contact was awaiting a diagnostic test from the independent mechanic but was informed that the rack and pinion might need to be replaced and the power train control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Suspension
Filed May 15, 2024NY

I was driving around 55 and suddenly lost control and fish tailed to the right, then to the left over the center line, then back to the right. Luckily no other vehicles on the road. The rear driver side toe link broke. I discovered there's a recall for this exact problem with the exact possible worst case scenario that I went through. [FORD RECALL CODE: 2oSo4] This recall includes "2013-18 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Sept. 12, 2011, to June 1, 2017" My vehicle was manufactured at the same plant in 02/12 but for some reason is not qualified. I think my 2012 model needs to be included in this recall, obviously. I talked with Ford Dealer and Ford Customer Service and they said they would pass this info to NHTSA. I had both links replaced at a local mechanic and hope to get reimbursed in the future.

Steering
Filed Jul 21, 2023PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel stiffened while attempting to steer the vehicle to the left. The power steering failure message was displayed. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle remained. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the manufacturer who then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Steering
Filed May 30, 2023CA

Vehicle power steering will stop working while driving and notification of (power steering assist failure) will appear. Vehicle becomes extremely unsafe to operate as the steering wheel is very difficult to move. I reached out to Ford and was advised that the recall for this was already repaired and a second recall was opened for vehicles that still had the issue. They advised that the recall only extended the warranty to 10 years and my vehicle is a few months past the 10 year mark with exceptions only made for mileage. My vehicle only has 48,000 miles.

Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2023110,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to wobble back and forth then up and down. The contact stated that the steering wheel started to shift upward and downward. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 2023CA

Recall on power steering rack and pinion but my model didn't get covered in this recall and this the second time my service advance track came on and it's totally hard to turn my steering and I took it to Ford dealership in merced ca just to see if the cam turn off my service advance traction they said no because the rack and pinion is bad. . .....

Steering
Filed Mar 17, 2023CO

Complete loss of power steering and steering effectiveness. Warning message on display said “power steering assist fault”.

SteeringCrash
Filed Jul 11, 2022FL

I went to my local dealership on request of the campaign recall for my associated vin The vehicle has a EPAS STEERING EFFORTS Details Description EPAS STEERING EFFORTS Campaign# 15N01 I was driving and lost control because the power steering went out brought it to my local Ford grieco fort Lauderdale and they diagnosed it as a bad power steering rack pinion which was included in the vin report recall however they stated it's 5 months over expiration which it should of never expired since it's a really bad safety issue. I called Ford directly they told me to contact you in regards to adding a valid recall back onto my vin

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 28, 2022CA

Bad design of water pump , under parts would fail one day , but the water pump is a bad design. It failed too soon and hurt the engine. Also lots of work to fix it. But even if it get fixed the problem is still there...bad water pump

Suspension
Filed Dec 11, 2021MI

I am writing you in regards to NHTSA # 20V-072, Ford Recall # 20S04. I own a 2012 Ford Flex. It was not included in this recall. The recall included Ford Flex years 2013 through 2018. Though my SUV wasn’t included in the recall for the defective toe links, my SUV’s toe links were found to be defective on June 1, 2015 at Taylor Ford in Michigan. At that time my vehicle had 56,071 miles on it and was still under warranty. My toe links were replaced with part 5A972 which is the same part that is now the cause of Ford Recall 20S04. On 11-6-21 we took my SUV, with 96,930 miles, into Belle Tire for brake work and tire rotation. At that time we were told that the toe links were defective and needed to be replaced and that my tires were bad and needed replacement too. The tires and toe links had been replaced at Ford 40,859 miles prior! At this point we investigated and found the recall for the toe links. We had never been notified by Ford even though part 5A972 which was later found to be defective, had been put on our SUV in 2015. A Ford Part Employee has confirmed that this part is defective. The defective part is a welded part and the part Ford is using to replace this part is a forged part. Defective toe links are very dangerous. The defect can cause loss of steering/control of SUV. I have contacted multiple levels of Ford Customer Care with no response and no assistance offered. My SUV is currently at a Ford Service Center waiting for Ford to respond so that my SUV can be repai

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 1, 2021CA

The water pump has faliure and is causing expensive repair. It seems to be a know defect. We some pending law suits.

Visibility
Filed Sep 21, 2021170,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while rolling down the driver’s side window, she noticed some resistance and black marks at the bottom of the window. The contact stated that the seal around the window was deteriorating. The contact also stated that the failure was occurring on all the windows. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2021126,828 milesWV

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired however, the failure recurred and persisted. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 126,828.

Suspension
Filed Apr 8, 2021102,407 milesMI

MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED JUST A FEW MONTHS SHY OF A RECALL FOR BAD TOE LINKS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I HAVE HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING BAD TOE LINKS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE ABOUT GETTING MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE SAME TIME AS THE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 202095,000 milesTX

THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED ON MY 2012 FORD FLEX. LOOKING AT VEHICLE HISTORY, THE SAME THROTTLE BODY HAS RECALLS FOR DIFFERENT MODELS. YESTERDAY, 9/252020, I HAD MY FLEX DIE ON ME THREE TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE DURING TRAFFIC. THE MILAGE IS UNDER 100K MILES. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE DIES IS WHEN IM UNDER 30 MPH.

Steering
Filed Sep 24, 202084,500 milesCO

WIFE RETURNED TO HER CAR AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING TO FIND THE POWER STEERING HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. SHE DECIDED TO DRIVE IT HOME AND IT HAD MOMENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED AND LUCKILY SHE GOT IT HOME. I CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS NO ACTIVE BULLETIN FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL SO WE WOULD JUST NEED TO FIX IT.

Steering
Filed Sep 10, 2020116,062 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE AND DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER PENSKE FORD LOCATED AT 8970 LA MESA BLVD, LA MESA, CA 91942, (619) 464-7777, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING STEERING GEAR TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,062. *DT

Steering
Filed Apr 30, 202085,868 milesCA

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING FAULTING. I'VE CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WOULD TURN OFF CAR AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN BUT NOW IT WON'T. THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED AT HOME WHEN I FIRST TURN ON CAR

Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 202070,000 milesAK

2012 FORD FLEX LI HAS 70K THOUSAND MILES. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STARTED TO HUM. SUDDENLY CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AND GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM CENTER OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE BECOMES DISABLED IN MID-STREAM DRIVING. VEHICLE SMELLS OF BURNT TRANSMISSION OIL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, PTU IS IMPROPERLY FILLED WITH EXTREMELY LOW AMOUNTS OF LUBRICANT FROM FACTORY. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, SEE LEAKING OIL FROM PTU WHICH IS ALREADY LOW. I WAS LUCKY TO BE DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED OR THE SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR DESIGN FLAWS. A RECALL IS A MUST.

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 202059,620 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT BEFORE DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH (AIRPORT FORD DEALER 8001 BURLINGTON PIKE, FLORENCE KY 41042, (859)371-4750 REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE STEERING RACK AND THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED UNTIL THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,620.

Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2019116,000 milesOK

10/15/2019 CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITH WRENCH SHOWING. TURNED THE CAR OFF AD BACK ON TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP AS IT DID THIS WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON A CITY STREET. IT PROCEEDED TO RETURN TO LIMP MODE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THE CODES THROWN WERE FOR A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR A SECOND TIME ALONG WITH THE PCM. ABOUT 10 DAYS LATER THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN AND THIS TIME SOME WIRING WAS REPLACED AND WE ARE WAITING ON THE ECM. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN THIS OCCURS AND WE ARE FEARFUL THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE FIXED SINCE IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOUR TIMES NOW; WE ARE ALSO AFRAID TO TRAVEL ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR THE CAR WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE DROPPING FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR TO 5 ALSO IMMEDIATELY. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES ACCORDING TO COMMON REPAIR COMPLAINTS BUT ESPECIALLY FORD. COSTS OF REPAIR AND TROUBLE SHOOTING IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC. A COMPLAINT IS ALSO BEING FILED WITH FORD.

Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2019159,657 milesKS

BAD THROTTLE BODY. STALL WHEN DRIVING AND JERKY MOTION, BOTH WHEN GOING SLOW AND WHEN GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. RED WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD SHUT OFF AND TURN BACK ON AND DRIVES FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. I HAD IT REPLACED W/ BRAND NEW PART AT A SHOP AND IT IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING.

Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2019AL

MY WIFE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2012 FORD FLEX POWER STEERING LAST WEEK. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW PUMP BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THE MECHANIC THEN SEARCHED THE NHTSA DATABASE AND FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR 2012 FORD FLEX VEHICLES (STEERING POWER ELECTRIC SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM HOPING THAT ENOUGH OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM SO FORD WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE FORD DEALER AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC AGREED THAT MY WIFE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY WITH MAKING TURNS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE SO WE CAN ADDRESS IT WITH FORD.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 9, 2019OH

I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE TAKATA AIR BAGS, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER A YEAR. THE STEERING TAKES ADDITIONAL STRENGTH TO TURN AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR THE STEERING ISSUE, IT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS, THE HIGHWAY IF TURNING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 201988,000 milesTX

WE HAVE A 2012 FORD FLEX NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. STARTING IN AUGUST, WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH OUR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WHICH CAUSED OUR CAR TO SHUT DOWN. WE HAD THE PART REPLACED, SHORTLY AFTER A SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEALERSHIP FRYING THE COMPUTER. THIS WAS REPLACED, BY THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER CALLING FORD DIRECTLY. IN FEBRUARY, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED AGAIN. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED LAST NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALL SIGNS POINT TOWARD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AGAIN. EVERY TIME THIS ISSUE ARISES, THE CAR GOES INTO A SAFE MODE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN BUSY STREETS. THIS RESULTS IN SPEEDS OF AROUND 5 MILES PER HOUR AND CAN CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE AND THE PART INSTALLED ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERED SAFE TO DRIVE ANY DISTANCE GREATER THAN FIVE MILES FROM OUR RESIDENCE, IN CASE WE NEED TO GET HOME. TO CLARIFY, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION .

Electrical System
Filed Jul 20, 2018178,000 milesNY

MY VEHICLE HAS 188,000 MILES ON IT AND IS AN AWD MODEL. IT HAS ALWAYS, UNTIL THE LAST TWO OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES, BEEN SERVICED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM (LEO CAYTES FORD). THE RPMS SKYROCKET TO 3000 - 4000 RPMS WHEN THE CAR IS CONTROLLED BY SPEED CONTROL SUDDENLY, BUT THE CAR DOESN'T SPEED UP. WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS RELEASED, THE RPMS DROP TO THE NORMAL SETTING FOR THAT SPEED. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE SPEED CONTROL IS USED, BUT, MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY AS OF LATE. THE FRONT AWD MECHANISM (BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEELS - PTU????) IS LEAKING AND THE OIL HAS SHAVINGS AND "DIFFERENT COLORS" IN THE FLUID. AND, ON OCCASION THE LEFT INTERIOR FRONT LIGHT ( BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR) WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF. THESE ARE RECENT EVENTS AND I LOVE MY FLEX AND WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IF I COULD AFFORD TO DO SO. IT HAS REALLY GIVEN ME NO PROBLEMS FOR THE MOST PART, AND I WOULD SAY, "ITS THE BEST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED, FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC!!!! ALSO, ON MOST OCCASIONS, THERE HAS ALWAYS, FROM THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP - BOUGHT NEW - BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER THAT WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY (PARKED OR AT A LIGHT) WITH THE HEAT ON, IT BLOWS COLD AIR! THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT, TO NO AVAIL. AS SOON AS THE CAR MOVES, HEAT FUNCTIONS OK!

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2018108,300 milesSC

OIL SEPERATOR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 2, 201840,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS RAPIDLY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE KNEES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO RICHMOND FORD LINCOLN (4600 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23230) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 1, 2017110,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE ENCLOSED GARAGE ATTACHED TO HIS HOME, A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED FLAMES SURROUNDING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AND WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS BEING RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO CAPITAL FORD LINCOLN OF ROCKY MOUNT (2012 STONE ROSE DR, ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804 (252) 977-1234) WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, NOR WAS THERE A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 9/13/18*JB

SteeringCrash
Filed Sep 11, 201750,000 milesWA

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS; DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING, SOMETIMES UNEXPECTEDLY. VERY DANGEROUS! IT IS SPORADIC--SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, AND TURNING IT ON--POWER STEERING WILL NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING AND I WAS LUCKY TO PULL OVER CAR. TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED WORKING.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 7, 2017132,000 milesNH

DRIVING CAR TO WORK ON A TOWN ROAD, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. LOST POWER STEERING. LIGHTS WERE STILL ON ON THE DASHBOARD BUT COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 5 MINUTES.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 7, 2017127,000 milesNH

DRIVING UP AN ON RAMP TO AN INTERSTATE, SUDDENLY ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. I COULD NOT SEE ANY SPEED OR DRIVING INFORMATION. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, DASHBOARD LIGHTS STILL FLASHED. CAR RESTARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES AND I DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT GRAPPONE FORD IN CONCORD, NH MY DEALERSHIP THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE AGAIN FLASHING AND I COULD NOT SEE ANY DATA.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 20, 2017OH

WHILE DRIVING WITH FAMILY INCLUDING A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD WITH REAR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ENGAGED RECIRCULATION BUTTON ON HAD TO MERGE UNTO ENTRANCE RAMP QUICKLY. IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A OVER POWERING ODOR/SMELL OF RAW EXHAUST /BURNT HAIR ENGULFED THE ENTIRE CABIN AREA! HAD TO QUICKLY OPEN ALL WINDOWS, MOON ROOF FOR US TO BREATHE! FULLY BAFFLED, I INCREASED SPEED ONCE AGAIN THE SULFUR LIKE ODOR BECAME PRESENT EVEN WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN! PERFORMED A FEW PROCESS OF ELIMATIONS WHILE STILL DRIVING AND CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT ISSUE WAS PRESENT ONLY WHEN REAR AC UNIT WAS ENGAGED, RECIRCULATING BUTTON ON AND ACCELERATING! DID NOT USE REAR AC FOR REMAINDER OF VAC TRIP. UPON COMPLETION OF OUR ROAD TRIP REACHED OUT TO FORD CUSTOMER REP IN DETROIT ONLY FOR HIM TO TAP DANCE AWAY FROM MY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS YET DIRECTED ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT WHICH POINT I WAS DIRECTED TO GET BACK WITH DETROIT FORD REP. I EVEN PROVIDED THE BAND AID TSB! HE THEN SAID IT WAS UP TO FORD TO CORRECT OR FIX. TRAVELING WITH A SMALL CHILD OR ANY HUMAN OR PET IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. FEW DAYS AGO BREAKING NEWS REGARDING THE FORD EXPLORER RECALL HAVING THE SAME UNSAFE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN CABIN CONCERNS!

Power Train
Filed Feb 13, 201772,000 milesIN

HAVE A 2012 FORD FLEX WITH 72XXX MILES THATS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE PTU (POWERTAKE OFF UNIT). LEARNED THAT FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM IN MANY VEHICLES FLEX,EDGE, MTX. MY CONCERNS ARE THAT ITS HAS A SMELL FROM TIME TO TIME LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IF IT GOES COMPLETELY OUT IT WILL OR CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP THE DRIVE TRAIN WHICH PUTS FEAR INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND MAKES ME FEEL PRESSURED. THE COST IS AROUND $1900.00 AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT ISSUES ANY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE OR RECALLS. FORD IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 201632,120 milesVA

BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS STUCK SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, WHEN THERE WAS A THUMP FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE (FRONT) WHEEL. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BRAKE PADS WANTED TO FALL OUT. THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS, DEBRIS, POTHOLES AND I WAS NOT BRAKING AT THE TIME. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EVALUATION, WHERE THE MECHANICS ADVISED BOTH CALIPERS WERE BAD. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT DRIVEN HARD OR THROUGH HARSH CONDITIONS. SIMILAR EVENT OCCURRED ALMOST A YEAR AGO ON THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THAT "EVENT" ALSO REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Sep 6, 2016100,000 milesCA

WHILE STOPPED AND IN PARK THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING, I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT PULL MYSELF ALL THE WAY IN. I WAS ABLE TO YANK THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AND THEN I COULD NO LONGER RUN ALONG SIDE THE VEHICLE AND I FELL ON THE ASPHALT. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ROLLING UNTIL IT BECAME HIGH CENTERED ON A LARGE ROCK. FOUR WITNESSES CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION.

Steering
Filed Aug 26, 2016OK

I WAS BACKING MY CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, TURNING MY WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN I HEARO AND FELT A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST COMPLETELY ENDED MAKING THE CAR GO INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BEING SO SUDDEN. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THE POWER ASSIST STEERING ALREADY AND MY FLEX FITS ALL THE SAME CRITERIA AS THE RECALL YET ITS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. SAME PLANT, SAME BUILDING YEAR, SAME MODEL YEAR, AND SAME AREA AFFECTED AS OTHER CARS IN THE RECALL BUT MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED. THIS IS NOTHING THAT I'VE DONE TO THE VEHICLE PERSONALLY TO MAKE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. I BELIEVE IT'S A MANUFACTURER ERROR THAT NEEDS REPLACED IN THE RECALL. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH ALOT OF LITTLE KIDS WALKING AROUND ALSO HAVE 3 IN THE CAR WITH ME. MY HUSBAND WAS LIED TO MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PHONE FROM FM EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE NATURE OF THIS RECALL AND HOW OR WHY OUR VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. OUR VEHICLE CAME OUT OF THE SAME PLANT DURING THE SAME TIME THE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES DID AND IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THOSE AFFECTED AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 19, 201642,000 milesSC

FUEL GAUGE WILL ONLY REGISTER 1/2 FULL MAX. WHEN TANK IS FULL AND KEY TURNED ON THE GAUGE WILL INITIALLY GO TO FULL, THEN QUICKLY FALL TO 1/2 WITH A CORRESPONDING DISTANCE TO EMPTY READING.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 201682,000 milesNY

MY FORD FLEX HAS A TOTAL OF 82000 MILES ON IT. I LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES WHERE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS STICK AND SEVERELY REQUIRE BOTH PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT. AT 60 YEARS OLD I CAN'T HEAR THE HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING BUT ON TWO OCCASIONS MY SON HAS NOTICE AND UPON STOPPING TO CHECK FOR THE NOISE, THE REAR WHEEL IS TOO HOT TO EVEN TOUCH. IN ONE INSTANCE THE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORN TO THE METAL NO DOUBT RESULTING IN LOSE OF BRAKING POWER. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM IS DISTURBING. THE ONLY DOCUMENTATION I HAVE IS THE RECEIPTS FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR.

Steering
Filed Feb 2, 201645,000 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE DASHBOARD FLASHED "POWER ASSIST FAILURE". THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO SOUND FORD IN RENTON, WA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN RECALL ISSUE (#15S18). MY COMPLAINT IS WITH REGARD TO THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE PART ( A STEERING GEAR) IS ON ENDLESS BACKORDER DUE TO MANUFACTURING DELAYS. DRIVING THE CAR AT THIS POINT IS DANGEROUS AND I'M LOOKING FOR SUPPORT IN GETTING THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM FORD AND HAVING THE REPAIR DONE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 1, 201648,000 milesWA

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR SENSOR SAYS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. TRIED TO CLOSE IT A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK. NOW I CAN'T LOCK MY CAR AT NIGHT BECAUSE MY CAR ALARM WILL GO OFF THINKING THAT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO BREAK IN. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY SIX OR SEVEN TIMES NOW. I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 31, 2015104,000 milesNM

DOOR SWUNG OPEN IN PARKING LOT. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL AND IT WILL NOT LATCH, CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DAMAGE IF THE DOOR HIT SOMEONE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 201560,012 milesFL

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN RAIN STORM, MID MORNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND SET HEADLIGHT CONTROL TO ALL FOUR POSITIONS AND ALL LIGHTS REMAINED OFF REGARDLESS OF CONTROL POSITION. SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED. LIGHTS CAME ON IN ALL CONTROL POSITIONS. SET TO AUTO FUNCTION AND RETURNED TO HIGHWAY TO GO HOME. STILL RAINING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WHEN ALL LIGHTS SHUT OFF AGAIN. AFTER REACHING HOME, SHUT ENGINE OFF. RESTARTED AND LIGHTS WORK IN ALL CONTROL POSITIONS. WILL RETEST AGAIN WITH SECOND DRIVER TO VERIFY CIRCUMSTANCES

Service Brakes1 injured
Filed Jul 29, 201522,700 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THERE WAS A SUDDEN METAL ON METAL SOUND. SHORTLY AFTER THIS NOISE STARTED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND THEN VISIBLE SMOKE FROM THE WHEEL. I PULLED OVER TO EVALUATE THE NOISE AND SMOKE. THE RADIANT HEAT FROM THE WHEEL CAUSED THE FIBERGLASS PANEL ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR TO HEAT UP. THIS HEAT CAUSED A 3RD DEGREE BURN TO THE TIP OF A FINGER. THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP EVALUATED IT AND STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER FROZE. THE DAY AFTER THE FLEX WAS RETURNED "FIXED", THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FROZE. IT DID THE SAME THING AS THE DRIVERS SIDE (MADE THE SUDDEN METAL ON METAL SOUND, SMOKED AND HEATED UP). THE FLEX WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE OTHER CALIPER WAS REPLACED. THE FLEX WAS RETURNED LATER THAT DAY "FIXED". UPON DRIVING HOME, BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPER RE-FROZE. AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY FLEX TO A TRUSTED BRAKE SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE SHOP STATED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPERS WERE SEIZED. THEY ADVISED THE PARTS WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND CORRECTIONS TO FIX THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPER. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES SINCE THE SHOP DID THE REPAIRS.

Complaints 1-50 of 64, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2019260400Above average
201869300Routine
201742400Routine
2016102300Routine
2015116420Routine
2014249420Above average
2013580610Above average
2012 — this page64210Routine
2011144211Fatalities reported
2010139120Routine
2009181120Routine

Compare every Flex year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 26, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.