How many problems does the 2011 FORD Flex have?

The 2011 FORD Flex currently has 142 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 FORD Flex?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 FORD Flex are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

2011 FORD Flex Problems

STEERING

49 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Aug 18, 2025

Electric Power Steering lights up and steering wheel locks up, can hardly make it move at it. We turn the car off and turn it back on. Sometimes the power steering returns, sometimes it doesn't and we can't drive the car. We called the dealer after this happened and they said it was an ECOBOOST Flex and wasn't included in the Safety Recall 15S18 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (.gov) Jul 1, 2015 — If any "loss of steering assist" DTCs are present, replace the power steering gear assembly. It seems that this is the exact problem as noted in the recall but Ford dealership will not fix it for free. Ford gave me a PDF that explains they are not responsible for this safety issue and cannot provide free repairs because my car is OVER 150,000 miles. My car now has 200,000 miles and I have had the car serviced at this same dealer for oil changes/tire rotation and they never told me about this recall. The purpose of this repair is to update the PSCM to prevent loss of steering assist while driving due to a motor position sensor fault or replace the steering gear if the PSCM has certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).Jul 1, 2015

May 08, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 4-months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with Power Steering Control Module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Dec 30, 2024

Loss of power steering driving down interstate. Service power steering and service advance Trac lights came on. Had to call for tow

Jan 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated when he first entered the vehicle and started the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left and right and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact stated he contacted an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,827.

Nov 08, 2023

+ 44 more complaints for this component

ENGINE

16 complaints

In September 2022 was going down the highway at 70 miles an hour for my vehicle to shut off with no warning lights everything locked up even the steering wheel get it to the side of the road sat there for about 20 minutes the car lights on the inside came back on started it got it home to find out that my coolant or water pump was missing all fluids took it to a repair shop by the name of superior auto repair for them to tell me there was a defect with the water pump but they weren’t going to break down the engine for the adjuster to come out to inspect I have found that the type of engine that I do have did have recalls on it for the water pump being faulty causing the engine to seize up and basically having to be replaced

Jan 10, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON CALLED AN UNKNOWN FORD DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP THAT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Oct 19, 2020

TRAVELING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT REGULAR SPEED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. A LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP OCCURRED AND FLOODED THE ENGINE AND OIL RESERVOIR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SMOKE AND OVERHEAT. AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT AND COOL DOWN SO NOT TO START A FIRE WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED, THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE TOOK PLACE. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND ANTIFREEZE MIXED IN WITH THE MOTOR OIL.

Sep 23, 2020

ON 09/18/19, I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND - LIKE ROCKS KICKING UP UNDER MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20-25 MPH ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. I DECIDED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR ME. I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND MY STEERING WAS LOCKED. I RECEIVED NO WARNING LIGHTS AND MY CAR TEMPERATURE REMAINED THE SAME - BETWEEN COLD AND HOT. AFTER GOING TO THE REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WATER PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE OIL. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NOT A FREEWAY. THE CAR HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

Sep 30, 2019

WATER PUMP FAILURE LED TO TOTAL ENGINE LOSS. REPORTED ON MULTIPLE FORD VEHICLES

Sep 19, 2019

+ 11 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

13 complaints

When we turned car on a continuous dinging occurred and “power steering assist failure - notice came on - completely impossible to drive - husband drove it home it was extremely difficult - he’s a very big and strong man - it is my main vehicle and I can’t steer it at all - then on line found the recall info that matches the year our vehicle was made - our ford dealership is claiming there’s issues - there should be no issue as it’s a clear admit from ford re: our vehicle - please email or call me at [XXX] . Mahalo from Maui - [XXX] please help. Aloha INFORMATIONREDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jan 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light and wrench light illuminated, and the vehicle started driving rough. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated and then failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the throttle body, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who replaced the throttle body for a second time but after retrieving the vehicle the failure persisted. The dealer later diagnosed that the PCM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Dec 07, 2022

PTU FAILURE - I HAVE HAD MY FLEX SINCE 2012. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH ANYTHING IN THAT VEHICLE. I AM IN THE MILITARY, AND I TRAVEL A LOT. I HAVE THAT OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED RELIGIOUSLY. FLUIDS ARE ALWAYS TOPPED OFF. I JUST TURNED OVER 120,000 MILES ON MY 2011 FLEX, 85 PERCENT OF THOSE MILES WERE HIGHWAY. MY FLEX STARTED HESITATING, OCCASIONALLY. AN OCCASIONAL JERK INTO GEAR. THEN STARTED MAKING METAL-GRINDING NOISES, THEN SPUTTERING. THIS HAPPENED OVER A 3 MONTH PERIOD. I FIND OUT MY PTU IS SHOT, OF COURSE I AM OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE WARRANTY - SHOCKER. SO I HAVE TO PUT OUT 1888.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH ON FORD, AND FLEXES AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY WAS VERY AWARE OF THIS COMMON ISSUE, IN THEIR EDGE, FLEX AND OTHER FULL WHEEL OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. AND STILL NO RECALL.

Aug 02, 2017

POWER TAKE OFF ASSEMBLY FAILURE - AT ~59K MILES INTO MY 75K MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE BECAUSE OF AN OIL BURNING SMELL AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I RETURNED TO ADVISE OF THE SAME SMELL. THE SEAL WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. SUBSEQUENT HIGHWAY TRAVEL YIELDED ADDITIONAL BURNING OIL ODORS THAT I'VE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED UNTIL THE LAST VISIT ' ON 7/24/14 @ 58,195 MI. ON 10/9/14@ 59,472 MI. ON 04/22/15 @ 72,712 MI. ON 11/23/15 @84,974 MI. REFERENCES- HTTP://JONATHANLACKMAN.COM/BLOG/FORD-EDGE-PDU-PTO-TRANSFER-CASE-ISSUES-FLEX-500-MKX/ HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=375439&PAGE=13 HTTP://WWW.FORDEDGEFORUM.COM/TOPIC/10914-PTU-LEAK-FAILURES/PAGE-11 AT 84,974 THE OBVIOUS FLUID LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED AS PTO FLUID AS A RESULT OF THE PTO OVERHEATING. NOW THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD REFUSES TO WARRANTY REPAIR COVERAGE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT NOT IDENTIFIED BY THE FORD MECHANICS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF FAILURE WITH THIS PART ON FORD AWD VEHICLE MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED WITH MY VEHICLE BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1600 FOR THE REPAIR WHEN SERVICING THE COMPLAINT COULD HAVE PREVENTE D THE FAILURE AND NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. FORD HAS NOT PROACTIVELY DONE ANYTHING TO PREVENT FAILURE AND HIGH OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO ME OR OTHER CUSTOMERS. THERE IS NO RECOMMENDED SERVICE OTHER THAN REPLACEMENT OF THE FAILED UNIT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER UNITS AND FORD SHOULD RECOMMEND SERVICE INTERVALS TO AVOID FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF ALREADY FAILED UNITS AT THEIR EXPENSES SINCE THEY ADVISED OF NO SERVICE REQUIRED

Jan 21, 2016

AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER, BEGINNING AT 52K IN APRIL 2014 COMPLAINING OF A BURNING OIL SMELL AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAILED PTU/PTO AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT FOR $1800 AFTER I EXCEEDED 75K MILES. I ADVISED FORD THAT I RETURNED MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE MY 75K EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY APPARENTLY NEVER CHECKED THE PTU. THE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF OF FAILED PTUS ON TARURUS'S, FLEXES, EDGES, MKT'S SHARING THIS SAME UNIT WHICH FORD SAYS IS ONLY REPLACED AND REQUIRES NO MAINTENANCE. GOOGLING PTU FAILURE RETURNS MULTIPLE POSTS AND RESPONSES. FORDFLEX.NET, FORDEDGEFORUM.COM WWW.BLUEOVALFORUMS.COM EXPLORERFORUM.COM THERE DESIGN AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE HONORED FOR CUSTOMERS IDENTIFYING SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND SYSTEMS SHOULD BE INCORPORATED IN A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. MY CLAIM WITH FORD WAS REJECTED AND MY SERVICE VISIT DOCUMENTS WERE NOT CONSIDERED.

Jan 13, 2016

+ 8 more complaints for this component

SEATS

7 complaints

THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS BEHIND THE PASSENGER, THAT HAS A HAND BAR PULL FOR FOLDING THE SEAT FLAT THEN UP HAS BROKEN. THE HANDLE LIFTS FULLY BUT NO ACTION HAPPENS ONCE PULLED TO FULLY. THE SEAT IS STUCK IN THE SEATED POSITION NOW.

Apr 07, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND-ROW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RELEASE HANDLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND-ROW SEAT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD WHICH MADE THIRD-ROW PASSENGER'S UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. KELLY FORD LOCATED AT 776 MAGNOLIA AVE, MELBOURNE, FL 32935, (321)216-2042 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.*DT*JB

Jun 11, 2020

MIDDLE ROW SEATING. SEAT IS DESIGNED TO FLIP FORWARD TO LET 3RD ROW PASSENGERS EXIT. HOWEVER, SEAT MALFUNCTIONS AND LOCKS IN THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION THUS TRAPPING POTENTIAL 3RD ROW OCCUPANTS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEIR "FIX" IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AT OVER $800. NOTE THAT HEY STOCK THE PART SINCE, IN THE SERVICE WRITER'S WORDS "IT'S A VERY COMMON FAILURE". THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY AND NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS SINCE THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT IS A DESIGN FLAW OF EQUIPMENT.

Jun 02, 2016

2ND ROW 60/40 SEAT WILL NOT UNLATCH TO LET DOWN SEAT ALLOWING ACCESS TO THIRD ROW (CAN'T GET IN OR OUT OF 3RD ROW IN CASE OF EMERGENCY).

May 23, 2016

BENCH SEAT...SECOND ROW BEHIND PASSENGER SEAT. TO GAIN ACCESS TO THIRD ROW....HAVE TO HIT BUTTON AND SEAT AUTOMATICALLY FLIPS AND FOLDS FORWARD TO ALLOW YOU ACCESS TO THIRD ROW. THE SECOND ROW SEAT FLIPS FORWARD WITH SUCH FORCE IT ABSOLUTELY PRESENTS A HAZARD TO EITHER A CHILD AND EVEN AN ADULT THAT GETS IN THE WAY. ALSO...SUNROOF MODEL AND SUN SHADES THAT BLOCK OUT THE SUN IN SECOND AND THIRD ROW GO BACK WITH SUCH A FORCE....LITTLE FINGERS COULD GET SLAMMED IN THAT. NOTHING TO BUFFER IT. REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW CRUDE THE INTERIOR MECHANICS ARE...MAKING THEM DANGEROUS. *TR

Aug 09, 2014

+ 2 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 complaints

I HAVE A FORD FLEX TRUCK 2011 ECO BOOST LIMITED AND THE WHEN I GO TO THE CAR WASH FOR SOME REASON WATER IS COME THRU. I CHECK THE SEAL ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE SEEM TO BE NO WEAR OR TERE ON THE RUBBER SEAL THAT AROUND THE TOP OF THE GLASS.

Apr 26, 2021

WE ARE SEEING ALOT IN THE NEW MEDIA ABOUT FORD EXPLORERS AND EXHAUST ISSUES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OUR FLEX. MY HUSBAND HAS A 30-35 MINUTE HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK, WAS ARRIVING AT WORK AND COMING HOME FEELING ILL TO THE POINT WHERE HE WOULD NEED TO SIT OR LAY DOWN, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY PASS. WE NOTICED A STRONG ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. FORD DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS, WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ODOR - RELATED TO RUNNING A/C AT HIGHWAY SPEED - UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH - WE LEARNED THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR WAS SULPHIDE BASED - LIKELY HYDROGEN SULFIDE. SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AS CARBON MONOXIDE, BUT CARBON MONOXIDE IS ODORLESS. ALSO HYDROGEN SULFIDE, AS EXPOSURE CONTINUES, NUMBS THE SMELL SENSE SO THAT ONE THINKS THE ODOR IS GONE, WHILE TOXICITY LEVELS ARE INCREASING. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR CASE. THIS CAR WAS TOXIC, IT WAS LITERALLY MAKING MY HUSBAND SICK, AND WE DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN TO BELMONT FORD (NC) - THEY WERE COMPLETELY AWARE OF EVERYTHING IN THIS STATEMENT. THE FLEX WAS BUILT ON THE SAME PLATFORM AS THE EXPLORER IN 2011.

Aug 02, 2017

WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 25MPH AND SUDDENLY EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. WHEEL COULDN'T BE CONTROLLED AND BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT. WE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL 2 PARKED CARS STOPPED US.

Aug 17, 2016

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

THE REAR WINDOW JUST SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUTWARD.

May 25, 2015

TWO OUT OF FOUR OF OUR WINDOW UP/DOWN CONTROL BUTTONS ARE NOT WORKING. THE TWO THAT ARE NOT WORKING ARE ALSO THE TWO THAT ARE USED THE LEAST AMOUNT. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.

May 12, 2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact's wife was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that water was detected inside the engine and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 146,000.

Aug 02, 2022

THERE WERE TWO OCCURRENCES. ON 7/5/12, THE FLEX WAS PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING, WE RAISED THE REAR DOOR/TAILGATE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE FLEX. ONE OF MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS STOOD NEAR THE BACK BUMPER AREA AND RECEIVED A BURN TO HER LEG FROM ONE OF THE EXHAUST PIPES CREATING A C SHAPE IMPRINT OF THE TAILPIPE OPENING. THIS WAS WITNESSED BY A HOTEL EMPLOYEE. THE ADULT LEANED IN TO THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES, BUT DID NOT BURN. ON 7/6/12, THE FLEX WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. AGAIN, THE BACK DOOR/TAILGATE WAS RAISED AND WE WERE GETTING ITEMS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GETTING READY FOR OUR EVENT. EVEN AFTER WARNING (OF THE TAILPIPE), THE SAME 4 YEAR OLD MANAGED TO RECEIVE ANOTHER BURN TO THE SAME LEG FROM THE EXHAUST/TAIL PIPE. *TR

Jul 09, 2012

Injuries: 1

THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HOLDING HOOK IS SEVERLY RUSTED. PART WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 05/03/11. REPLACED PART IS SEVERLY RUSTED AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS 7500 MILES ONLY. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO A MINIMUM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD SINCE THE MUFLER COULD FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING DUE TO EXECIVE RUST OF THE SUPPORTS. *TR

May 04, 2012

THERE IS A STRONG SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION, IT SMELLS SIMILAR TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST ODOR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ODOR BUT TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Sep 21, 2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

THERE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE GLOVE BOX LIKE MODULATOR GONE BAD NOT SURE WHAT IT IS BUT EVERY TIME I TURN THE AIR OR HEAT ON I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND ABOUT EIGHTEEN TIMES AND THAN IT STOPS. I I TURN THE AIR HEAT OFF I HEAR THE SOUND AGAIN FOR EIGHTEEN TIMES. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

Apr 26, 2021

KEY FOB AND ALARM - IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS MY KEYFOB HAS STARTED TO OPEN AND LOCK MY NEIGHBORS 2005 FORD FOCUS. SINCE THESE ARE SMALL CITY LOTS, THE CARS ARE ALWAYS PARKED WITHIN 50 FEET OF EACH OTHER AND CANNOT BE PARKED OUTSIDE OF FOB RANGE. THIS INCLUDES GARAGES AND STREET PARKING. THE DEALER HAS RESET THE KEYS BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY ALSO STATED THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE OUTSIDE OF REPLACING THE CONTROLLER AND KEYS. COST WOULD BE $700 - $1000. THEY STATES WOULD HAS HAPPENED IS VURTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE BUT IT IS HAPPENING. MY NEIGHBOR STATES THEY CANNOT FIND THEY ALARM FOB, IT IS NOT BUILT INTO THEIR KEY. I HAVE NO WAY TO VERIFY THIS SO I CANNOT TEST TO SEE IF THEY CAN UNLOCK MY CAR. THE KEY FOB SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN NULLIFIED BY THIS PROBLEM.

Dec 03, 2015

FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ELECTRICAL ON MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CALLED THE FRONT INTERFACE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN MISTREATED, ABUSED NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO MOISTURE OR LIQUIDS. I CAN'T USE OR ADJUST THE RADIO, SATELLITE, CD PLAYER, NOR THE HEAT AND AIR. HOWEVER, THE HEAT IS ON FULL BLAST AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP I VISITED ABOUT THE PROBLEM SAYS THEY CAN'T TURN THE HEAT OFF. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FRONT INTERFACE PROBLEM. THIS IS A $600-$700 PROBLEM THAT I DON'T FEEL IS THE CONSUMERS'. MY CAR IS NOT THAT OLD...IS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PART IS ON A MONTH BACK ORDER. IF THIS IS AN INFREQUENT PROBLEM, HOW COME IT TAKES SO LONG TO FIND THIS INTERFACE. JUST WANTING TO LET OTHER FORD DRIVERS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL. THIS IS MY FOURTH FORD VEHICLE AND I'M STARTING TO HAVE REGRETS. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THIS INTERFACE. *TR

Apr 27, 2015

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY-NO RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER. AT 70MPH HAD TOTAL LOSS OF POWER (NO LIGHTS, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING) WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR RESTARTED AND HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND HAD THE CAR SERVICED AFTER WE RETURNED HOME FROM VACATION. I ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN DURING MY FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR ABOUT OCT, 20 WHEN I LOST TOTAL POWER AGAIN, BUT AT A MUCH LOWER SPEED (30MPH) I ALSO CALLED FORD AND HAD MY CAR SERVICED AFTER THIS. *TR

Mar 07, 2013

WHEELS

4 complaints

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO WEAR OUT BRAND NEW TIRES EVERY 5 TO 10K MILES. I HAVE KEPT UP ON ALIGNMENT, TIRE ROTATING AND TERMS THIS PROBLEM CONTINUE. I HAVE READ A GREAT DEAL OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE MANAGER OR EMPLOYEE AT THE TIRE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD FLEX. HE SAYS THAT HE GETS QUITE A NUMBER OF THEM COMING IN WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS PROBLEM

Nov 24, 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT THE REAR END SLIDES AS IF DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW.IT REALLY SWAYS WHILE BRAKING. KNOW INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON TO SUGGEST SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. I HAD THIS SCARY PROBLEM CHECK OUT BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS. THEY FELT THE WOBBLY SENSATION WHEN DRIVING 40 MILES HR. THEY ONLY NOTED A COMBINATION OF MINOR CONDITIONS LIKE TIRE THREADS,OIL LEAK FROM A SHOCK AND A SMALL ROD THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE LEFT BACK TIRE THAT HAD A LITTLE MOVEMENT.. THESE ISSUES HOWEVER SHOULDN'T CAUSE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SLIPPERY EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS.

Oct 02, 2015

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, WHILE JACKING UP THE CAR IT BECAME DIFFICULT. I STOPPED, AND LOWERD THE CAR. THEN EXAMINED THE JACK AND FOUND THAT THE THREADED NUT THAT THE UP AND DOWN ADJUSTING ROD THREADS THRU WAS CRACKED OPEN.THIS NUT LOOKS TO BE OF SOME TYPE OF POT METAL, UNLIKE THE REST OF JACK WICH IS STEEL. I TALKED TO FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY SAID THE MOST THEY MIGHT DO IS REPLACE THE JACK. THAT JACK IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I WANT A SAFE JACK .

Sep 03, 2015

I PURCHASED A 2011 FORD FLEX NEW. AT 24000 MILES MY TIRES WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER HAD ME PAY HALF PRICE. AT 48 K THE NEW TIRES ARE AGAIN BAD AND NEED REPLACING. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF FORD FLEX OWNERS WITH SUBSTANDARD TIRES. FORD MUST BE AWARE OF THIS WHEN 7 OUT 10 PEOPLE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. OWNERS SHOULD BE GIVEN NEW TIRES OF A DIFFERENT MAKE AT FORDS EXPENSE. MY CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A TIRE REPAIR SHOP TIRE KINGDOM WHO EXPLAINED THE TIRES FORD PROVIDES FOR THE FLEX ARE NOT INTENDED FOR A VEHICLE OF THAT MAKE AND WEIGHT GVW.

May 30, 2015

SERVICE BRAKES

4 complaints

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NO STOPPING. CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

Nov 19, 2014

Crash: 1

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK 7-14-2014, ENTERED THE EXIT RAMP TO GRATIOT NORTH BOUND AND HAD TO STOP FOR A LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN I EASED OFF OF MY REAR BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THEM AND COULD TELL THAT THE BRAKES WERE SEIZING UP A LITTLE. SO THE NEXT DAY AND THERE AFTER I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. ON 7-20-2014 THE DID THE SAME THING BUT NOT AS BAD. MADE APPT. WITH FIRESTONE AUTO CARE ON 7-25-2014 TO HAVE A BRAKE INSPECTION DONE ALL FOUR TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR CALIPER PINS HAD CEASED UP ON THE REAR BRAKES NOT ALLOWING THE CALIPER TO OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOES TO BE REPLACED, BOTH ROTORS AND CALIPERS, BECAUSE BY KNOW IT WAS METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO WORK DONE TO THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE I WAS TOLD. I HAD THIS VIBRATING OR EASY SHAKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE FRONT WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP. I HAD THIS CHECKED BACK IN THE WINTER TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES BUT COULD NOT FIND NOTHING. NOT THAT THE BACK BRAKES ARE FIXED THE VIBRATION IS GONE. *TR

Jul 25, 2014

PERSISTENT BRAKE SQUEALING EVEN THOUGH BRAKES WERE REGULARLY SERVICED. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED BOTH FRONT CALIPERS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS FOR SAFETY REASONS, PARTS AND LABOR TOTALED OVER $1000. NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF A CALIPER FAILING ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. SQUEALING HAS BEEN RESOLVED SINCE THIS REPAIR. *TR

Mar 17, 2014

CPSC: I1380138A. 2011 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHEMICALS USED TO MELT ICE AND SNOW CAUSES BRAKES ROTORS TO ROT. STATED AT 23,000 MILES HIS REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO AT 32,000 MILES ALL THE ROTORS WERE ROTTEN AGAIN. *LN

Aug 22, 2013

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 complaints

Gas tank is leaking gas while parked and running

Dec 15, 2023

DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY HAD AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITH NO CODES OR PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS. TURNS OUT IT WAS A COMPLETE MAF SENSOR FAILURE. NO ROUGH PERFORMANCE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO WARNING JUST A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN. THIS WITH JUST 74,000 MILES

Feb 08, 2019

MY 2011 FORD FLEX IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THREE TURBOS BEING REPLACED ON IT'S 3.5 LITER ECOBOOST ENGINE. OUR VEHICLE WAS AT THE DELERAHIP FOR A MONTH AND WE JUST GOT IT BACK ON THURSDAY. ON SATURDAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT BEGAN SHUTTERING AND JUST DIED. I WAS LEFT POWERLESS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO MANUVER ACROSS THREE LANES TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITH THREE CHILDREN ON BOARD. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WHILE TURNING THE KEY WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VERY STRONG SMELL OF ELECTRICAL BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WA GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE AND HAD THE CHILDREN GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS CAR WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT COURSE OF ACTION I NEED TO TAKE SO THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE DOES NOT CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY.

Feb 05, 2017

TIRES

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE: 255/45R20. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH TIRES BEGAN TO SHRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED BY FORD, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. TIDELANDS FORD LINCOLN (9387 OCEAN HIGHWAY, PAWLEYS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA 29585, (843) 237-3673) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (HANKOOK) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED UPON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENTS. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Aug 27, 2018

BF GOODRICH ADVANTAGE T/A TIRES SIZE 23560R17. I HAD WEAR ON TIRES AFTER 18000 MILES. REPLACED TIRES WITH ANOTHER SET. AFTER ONLY 23000 MILES I HAVE WEAR ON TIRES AND THEY NEED REPLACING. THIS TIRE IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR OVER 36K MILES. THEY ARE SUBSTANDARD AND DEFECTIVE AND BE GOODRICH AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE 7 OUT OF 10 OWNERS COMPLAIN OF DEFECTS AND NOTHING IS DONE OF CHANGED.

May 30, 2015

HANKOOK OPTIMA 19" TIRE SIDEWALL FOR FORD FLEX. I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW 2011 FORD FLEX ON 5/5/11 WITH 19" HANKOOK OPTIMA TIRES. 2 DAYS AGO, MY SIDEWALL BUSTED AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH RAISED, BUT THAT I HAVE DRIVEN OVER HUNDREDS OF TIMES WITH MY INFINITY FX35 TIRES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THE BRAND NEW SIDEWALL SHOULD BUST IF YOU GO OVER A BUMP WRONG. *TR

May 19, 2011

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

I had changed all my bulbs and fuses to my car for my brake lights several times and they still don’t work. My car almost got hit with me and my kids in it due to my break lights not working. Also my car keeps saying service advance trac and keeps saying it every time I drive. My car also keeps running out of power steering fluid every two week I have to add more to keep it from making that loud noise while driving.

Oct 22, 2025

MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS IS THE STEERING. AS OF AROUND TWO YEARS AGO I HAVE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING LOSING THE POWER AND RESULTING IN A VERY HARD TO CONTROL STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AND VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ROUGHLY 6 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEM WOULD USUALLY CORRECT WITHIN AROUND FIVE SECONDS OR SO. I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE MANY ISSUES ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS FORD PROBLEM THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE COMES WITHIN A MONTH OF THE RECALL SO NO HELP FROM THE DEALER. THEY WANT AROUND 3000-3500 FOR REPLACEMENT. WORD IS THEY HAVE DOUBLED THE COST OF THE PART TO MAKE UP FOR THE RECALL MONEY THEY ARE OUT. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND FORD NEEDS TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE. I AM TOLD THE STEERING IS ELECTRICAL. MY SECOND ISSUE IS AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AROUND TWO YEARS ALSO. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT EACH AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IF I REACH DOWN AND TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN THEY WILL COME BACK ON AND CORRECT, BUT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. ONE MIGHT GO OUT AND THEN ONE STAY ON. A DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN THEY BOTH FAIL. TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF ALWAYS TURNS THEM ON. PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR TWO YEARS. NEITHER ARE NOT FIXED AT THE MOMENT.

Oct 08, 2018

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon her husband starting the vehicle, the vehicle entered limp mode as he exited the driveway. Her husband then drove the vehicle back into the driveway and turned the vehicle off. The next day, her husband started that vehicle and was temporarily able to resume normal driving; however, the vehicle entered limp mode while in traffic as the power train warning light illuminated. Her husband was able to coast the vehicle back home while in limp mode and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body; however, the failure persisted after the part was repaired. The contact made numerous trips back to the dealer; however, the failure persisted after each visit. The contact was then informed to take the vehicle back once the wrench light had illuminated. Once the wrench light illuminated, the contact began to drive the vehicle to the dealer. While driving, she heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle as the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle entered limp mode. The contact made it to the dealer as antifreeze began leaking from the vehicle. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the radiator fluid had begun to leak out of the vehicle as a result of the water pump, which was previously replaced. The mechanic also discovered that the radiator fluid had leaked out of the rear main seal of engine which caused engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Apr 20, 2022

IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 2012 SEPT, WHEN I BOUGHT IT AT 4000KM. I WAS ABOUT TO START FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I LET GO MY BRAKE AND 'SLIGHTLY' ONTO GAS. "NOTHING AT ALL HAPPENED." I PUSH A BIT HARDER AND IT CRANK INTO ANOTHER GEAR AS I FELT LIKE 'GALLOPING'. I BROUGHT IT TO THE BODY SHOP I KNEW (8 PM) AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO DEALERS FOR TRANSMITTION CHECK UP. DID SO, IN 3 DAYS - 'NO CODE' NO PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2012; TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH TRAFFIC ON 401 HIGHWAY - MARCH 2013, MOVING SLOWLY IN SCITY STREET - JUNE AND OCT 2013; FROM STOP - APRIL 2014, JUNE 2015 AND ABOUT TO STOP BEFORE TRAFFICE LIGHT - MAY 2016. I BROUGHT IT INTO 2 DIFFERENT DELEARS, 3 PRIVATE BODYSHOPS. DEALERS FOUND NOTHING - 'NO CODE'; PRIVATE BODY SHOP - WATER/ AIR TRAPPED IN GAS/ FUEL LINE; BAD TRANSMISSION ETC. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SEVICES - TOLD TO CONTACT LOCAL DELEARS, RECORD ON FILE. NO SOLUTION STILL. THIS IS FORD!!!! ONCE GET THE CHANCE - GO ANYTHING OTHER THAN FORD!!

Jun 06, 2016

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RACK THAT WAS MOUNTED ON THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE CONTACT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Aug 08, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO PETROLEUM TAR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TESTED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER AND THE LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE INCREASED WHILE ACCELERATING. A TEST WAS ALSO PERFORMED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CARBON MONOXIDE READER AND THE LEVEL INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

Jul 20, 2011

POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

My brakes locked up suddenly on the rear end causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road and unable to move it, even to tow it. I had to take 2 days almost to fix it in the middle of the road, since yesterday morning. They also began locking up suddenly on the front end, the wheel bearing, CV Joint, Tie Rods, CV Axles, CV Boots, and sway bars began failing out of nowhere as well. The brakes may or may not be able to be replicated, as they are partially fixed and yes my entire front end can be replicated. The danger is my brakes locked up as I was driving, in the middle of the road at that. I have not been able to get the front end fixed as it is expensive, however the danger of this is the tires falling off or the front end failing all together. ALL of the other people who drive these that I have talked to and met have had the same problem and yes they are factory parts! Even the people who have only 30 to 60000 miles on their 2011 Ford Flex Titaniums have these issues! Not only this but also the sensors go bad almost immediately off the lot, which can cause the car to brake without warning, stop running out of nowhere, make the power steering module fail, make your vehicle stutter because ALL of the sensors are bad. These vehicles need to be recalled and fixed, or recalled and replaced with better vehicles (from $60,000 up to $95,000) with any mileage any year. Please recall these and please help! I just got mine, this isn't right!

Oct 18, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

This accident didn’t involve myself. It involved my father who borrowed my 2011 Ford Flex for the evening. This was a one vehicle accident. It is unknown what happened to cause him to Swerve and hit a hit. The air bags didn’t deploy in the Vehicle. My father was wearing his seatbelt. An electric fire started and the car burnt along with my father he wasn’t able to be pulled from the vehicle before it caught fire. According to the witnesses, the airbags did not go off. My father had blunt trauma to the chest and to his frontal lobe and broken ribs. In addition to lots of other injuries that would’ve been avoided if the airbags would have went off. My father could’ve been alive if the airbags went off. But instead, he is dead. The pain and suffering and Trauma that I live through every day of my life of missing my father has been unbearable this past year. I 100% believe the fire started from the air bags not going off and it was faulty wiring in this vehicle. I believe this whole Heartedly. My father Didn’t deserve to die this way. I have a flash drive of the scene with pictures taken by the Missouri State Highway patrol that has been certified. I can send as Evidence as well. I have not viewed this flash drive as it would be too traumatic for me to view them of my father. I do not want to picture him like that. But I feel this case needs to be investigated. I no longer can be OK with this situation. The insurance company never inspected it. My insurance company was the General- Full Coverage- also the vehicle had a lean on it with Car Mart. Not sure if anyone inspected the vehicle after the accident. I know the Missouri house patrol did a full investigation. It set at at tow yard for months in Columbia, Mo. There were multiple people on the scene. Macon Co. ambulance, Macon Co. fire and rescue Macon Co. corners office which they called wrong time of death Which letters to believe my father wasn’t dead yet From the accident. The air bags could have saved HIM!!!!!!

Jul 23, 2024

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 1

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact would make several attempts to start the vehicle to regain normal functionality; however, the failure would recur within several hours or several days. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH in a School Zone from a stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the traction control, engine, battery, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed the VIN was not under recall, nor were the repairs covered under warranty. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 125,436.

Jan 18, 2024

STEERING,ENGINE

1 complaint

The contact's grandmother owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rack and pinion, and power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Aug 07, 2023

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

1 complaint

Fuel pump failure shut down engine in seconds on the freeway and left us stranded on the freeway with highspeed traffic. Problem confirmed by the dealer. Vehicle inspected by the manufacturer. No warning, engine just lost power on the freeway.

Jul 05, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS STAYED ON AS DID THE AC, BUT ENGINE SHUT OFF.

Mar 08, 2019

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Jan 04, 2019

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWITCHED INTO 'LIMP MODE' AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT EXCEED 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STAR FORD (1101 S. VANN BLVD, GLEN DALE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Jan 02, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

WATER PUMP, ENGINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF THE BLUE WITH NO INDICATIONS, WARNING, LEAKS, STALLS, ROUGH DRIVING, NO STARTS, LIGHTS OR SMELLS; SENT TO START CAR AND IT WAS MAKING A METAL GRINDING/RATTLING SOUND AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED OVER TO THE FORD DEALER AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY LOOKED AT IT. THEY STATED THE WATER PUMP CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED, LEAKED INTO THE OIL PAN, OVERFILLED THE OIL PAN AND CAUSE COOLANT/WATER TO BE CIRCULATED THROUGH ENGINE CAUSING NO COMPRESSION AND SEIZING THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED PRETTY QUICK. I AM NOW IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE WATER PUMP DESIGN FLAW OF FORDS WATER PUMP EMPTYING INTO THE OIL PAN. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OR COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE SO IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. BUT I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND SEEN THIS EXACT COMPLAINT FROM PEOPLE IN MANY FORUMS, ON MULTIPLE MODELS. THIS CATASTROPHIC WATER PUMP FAILURE AND DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 11 YEARS AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT OR TO HELP THE CUSTOMER. THIS IS NOT GETTING REPORTED CORRECTLY OR IN THE RIGHT PLACE OR SIMPLY SERVICE CENTERS DONT REPORT TO THIS DATABASE THEREFORE FORD CLOSES THIER EYES TO PROBLEMS. I AM JUST GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO MY WIFE ON HER TRIP TO MICHIGAN AT NIGHT ON THE WEEKEND WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. IT MUST BE AN ISSUE IF I CAN FIND CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ON THEI EXACT ISSUE. HOLD FORD RESPONSIBLE, THEY ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE OR THEIR FAMILIES.

Oct 31, 2018

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS UNEVEN TIRE TREAD WEAR TO THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SET OF TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS POORLY DESIGNED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE TIRES TO REMAIN BALANCED OR ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM HOLZER FORD DEALER LOCATED AT: 39300 W 10 MILE RD, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335, (248) 474-1234, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAULT OR EVEN A FAILURE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE UNEVEN WEAR WITH THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.

Dec 13, 2017

SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TAMARA RECALL

Jul 25, 2017

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

10/15 EAPS FAILURE CAN'T STEER CAR NO FIX SEVERAL REPEAT PROBLEMS 4/15 COLD AIR WHEN USING HEATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FIXED BUT SINCE THEN WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING SEVERAL SERVICE CALLS NO FIX 4/15 OILK LEAK FOR AWD SYSTEM SEVERAL TRIES THEN SERVICE FINALLYT REPLACED COMPLETE AWD UNIT

Nov 18, 2016

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

ON 2100 HRS 21 NOV 2015, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A DEER STRIKE ACCIDENT ON HWY 36 VICINITY HAMILTON, MISSOURI. SHE WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE HIGHWAY 36 AT 55-60 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN INTO THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS FROM CENTER LINE OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES UPON SEEING THE DEER BUT THE STRIKE AND APPLICATION OF BRAKES WERE PRETTY MUCH SIMULTANEOUS. SHE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND COULDN'T EXIT THE DRIVER'S DOOR BECAUSE THE FRONT FENDER OVERLAPPING THE DOOR DUE TO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT WHICH PROBABLY SAVED HER FROM ANY MAJOR INJURIES. BASED UPON THE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THE FRAME AND INTERNAL BUMPER ARE EXPOSED APPROXIMATELY A FOOT BEYOND THE BODY WHICH HAS BEEN CRUSHED BACK. IN MY OPINION IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH FRONTAL FORCE WHICH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG. I THEREFORE FEEL THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.

Nov 23, 2015

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WITH THE ECOBOOST SYSTEM , THE CAR WILL ALMOST STALL, THEN SPEED UP WITH OUT YOUR FOOT ON THE PEDAL. IT BLOWS BLACK SMOKE AND THEN IT WILL BE FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE CAR HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN WHICH THIS SHOWED UP. WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT BECAUSE IT LOCKED UP, THEN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK IN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE THE CAR RADIATOR FAN SYSTEM BURNED UP AND THEY REPLACED. THEY HAVE RE-FLASHED MODULES AFTER THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING, HOWEVER IT STILL DOES IT. I AM WORRIED AS THE CAR HAS SPEED UP TO 2000 RPM WHILE DRIVING AND STAYED THERE WITH OUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED.

Oct 05, 2015

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I HAD JUST FINISHED VACUUMING THE INSIDE OF MY 2011 FORD FLEX. THE REAR AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE WAS UP AND I WAS LEANING INTO THE BACK OF THE FLEX REINSTALLING MY CARGO NET WHEN THE HYDRAULICS FAILED AND THE LIFTGATE CAME SLAMMING DOWN ON MY BACK. I SUSTAINED BRUISING AND MUSCLE INJURY. IF IT WAS MY ARM OR LEG IT MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN AN AMPUTATION. IF IT WAS MY HEAD / NECK IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY. IF IT WAS MY CHILD HE COULD HAVE BEEN PARALYZED. WHY ARE THERE NO SAFETY FEATURES THAT PREVENTS THE LIFTGATE FROM SLAMMING SHUT IF THE HYDRAULICS FAIL?

Aug 24, 2015

Injuries: 1

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

UPON ACCELERATION, USUALLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP SUCH AS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR ON A GREEN LIGHT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE GEARS DO NO CATCH & THE CAR JERKS AND THE RPM'S RAISE BUT THE CAR STOPS ACCELERATING. WILL ALSO HAVE A "STUTTERING" OR "JERKING" WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH BREAK PEDAL BEING PRESSED DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL & THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO HAVE SUCH DESCRIBED MALFUNCTIONS BECAUSE IT IS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THE JERKING WHILE DRIVING ACTUALLY OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS BUT IS SPORADIC & CAN JERK YOU FORWARD DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION CAPABILITY, STARTLING AND PAINFUL BECAUSE THE SEATBELT MECHANISM HAS ENGAGED IN THE PAST.

Jul 16, 2015

Injuries: 2

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE YESTERDAY, WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. BASED ON INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET, THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH OTHER FORD MODELS AND YEARS AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN WHERE NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THIS SIMILAR ISSUE WITH 2010-2011 FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SHOWS 3 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FLEX. *TR

Mar 18, 2015

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT JUST LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT COME BACK OUT, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT 623.00 TO REPLACE IT ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?? PAID 19,000 FOR THE CAR LESS THEN A YEAR AGO SO I TRY TO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SAYS IF I TRY TO FIX IT MYSELF THE AIRBAGS COULD BE SET OFF REALLY ?? I GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE ANNOYING DING DING DING EVERY 2 MINS WHILE DRIVING NO BIGGY THANKS FORD THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE SELTBELTS. *TR

Nov 22, 2014

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

AUTOMATIC/MOTORIZED REAR HATCH FAILED.....MOTOR OPENED HATCH TO FULL NORMAL EXTENSION AND THEN SLAMMED DOWN WITH NOTHING TO SLOW IT DOWN...NARROWLY MISSING MY 5 YEAR OLD CHILD. WAS TOLD SHOCKS FAILED AS WELL AS HATCH MOTOR.... SO NOTHING IN PLACE TO SLOW DOWN THE FALL. TYPICALLY IF MOTOR GOES OUT...SHOCKS ARE THERE TO SLOW IT DOWN. DEALERSHIP SURMISES THAT SHOCKS WERE PROBABLY ALREADY "OUT" AND THE MOTOR HAS BEEN CONTROLLING THE HATCH ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SHOCKS. "DON'T KNOW SHOCKS ARE BAD UNTIL MOTOR GOES OUT"..RESULTING IN NOTHING HOLDING IT UP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY INJURED MY CHILD IF I HADN'T REACTED SO QUICKLY. FORD CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS, BUT WOULD INVESTIGATE. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR "CERTIFIED" 2 MONTHS AGO. NOT SOMETHING THEY CHECK DURING CERTIFICATION PROCESS. *TR

Aug 09, 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

THE CAR HAS A TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY STATE THAT IT'S THE 'FILTER' BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY RESOLVED AND IS ON-GOING. THE CAR HAS OTHER MINOR DEFECTS WITH THE WINDOW OPERATION (LOUD SQUEALING AS IF THE WINDOW IS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING) AND THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR COULD BE TOXIC AND UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN. HOW CAN I GET THE DEALER TO TEST THE AIR QUALITY AND QUIT REPLACING THE FILTER AS A TEMPORARY ATTEMPT TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM? *TR

May 15, 2013

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE DRIVER'S SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CASE SURROUNDING THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE MELTING DUE TO THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 8/23/13 *CN UPDATED 09/13/2013 *JS

May 14, 2013

STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TO NO AVAIL, AS WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, I TURNED THE KEY OFF, THEN BACK ON AGAIN - THIS DESTROYED THE DATA. SEEMS LIKE A FUNDAMENTAL DATA SYSTEM FLAW. NONETHELESS, I DROVE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN FEAR, ONLY TO HAVE THE INCIDENT RECUR SIX MONTHS LATER. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH A DATA FLIGHT RECORDER FOR A MERE TEN DAYS, THE BUTTON OF WHICH I MUST PUSH, IF AND WHEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AGAIN. WITHOUT RECORDED DATA, THOUGH FORD BELIEVES MY REPORT, I SEEM TO HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH FORD. I NOW AM DRIVING IN FEAR FOR MY OWN AND OTHERS' LIVES. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE? *TR

Feb 16, 2012

CHILD SEAT

1 complaint

THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENT; THE PROBLEM RECURS SPONTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SUPER LATCH BELT LOOSENS SIGNIFICANTLY ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING CORRECTLY AND TIGHTLY INSTALLED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE INSTALLED REAR-FACING IN TWO DIFFERENT CARS. REINSTALLATION DID NOT HELP, SO THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO GET A NEW LATCH BELT. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW LATCH BELT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SEAT DOES NOT INSTALL WELL WITH A SEAT BELT BECAUSE OUR CARS HAVE STEMS ON THE FEMALE PART OF THE BELTS, CAUSING IT TO INTERFERE WITH THE BELT PATH ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT. THIS CHILD RESTRAINT IS THEREFORE UNUSABLE FOR US. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2011, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=FLEX). *TR

Nov 09, 2011

STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. *TR

Oct 28, 2010

2011 FORD Flex Problems & Complaints

Complaints by Component

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 FORD Flex have?

What are the most common problems with 2011 FORD Flex?

Where does this 2011 FORD Flex problem data come from?

Other Years - FORD Flex

Other FORD Models

Similar Brands