KnownCarProblems2009 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ford Flex, most often about the engine (29% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is 4th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2009 Ford Flex problems
Engine
53 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Vehicle overheated on several random occasions. Air conditioning blows hot air when not moving. Vehicle stalled in intersection on several random occasions. The cooling fan relay was replaced which temporarily corrected all related problems. This exact same problem has now developed after 8000 miles. After looking on…
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the wiring harness and PCM would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
Brakes
32 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Had grinding noise in front brakes, just like a stone had got jammed between the brake pad and rotor. Right front wheel locked up momentarily one time. Had it back to dealer twice but they could not see a problem. Finally after the front wheel locked up they replaced the front brake rotors and brackets but I had to…
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The contact attempted to accelerate beyond 5 MPH but the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restarting, the contact was able to continue driving normally. The vehicle was…
Electrical
32 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
1. Recurring braek noise, brakes, rotors and brackets replaced repeatedly. Has happened 4 times over 8 months. Abs system also replaced. 2. Vehicle stopped in the middle of the road without pressing on brakes - vehicle was still running and would not move. Eventually (30 to 90 seconds) the vehicle was able to be…
This is the third time the cooling fan system broke in 3 years since I have my Ford Flex 2009 model. O bought the car in dealer in january 2011. Few months after the cooling system broke. Then a year later it broke again and right now is broken for the third time. I always change for original parts but I want to know…
Transmission
23 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
This in reference to the transmission, I have had it looked at and no one can seem to narrow down the exact problem. The vehicle stalls while driving. After stopping and restarting the vehicle it hesitates and the kicks into gear and drives. This doesn't happen every day, but not knowing when the vehicle might stall…
The power transfer unit (ptu) fails on a number of Ford models. The seal leaks and in my case the unit needed to be replace because of metal shavings. The cost for repairs $2,600.
Fuel system
19 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles.
The issue that has recently cropped up on our Flex is the fuel meter will read sufficient fuel for approximately 50 miles and then, in a matter of miles, the tank seems to run dry/indicate no miles left. On this particular date I was driving the car it indicated 49 miles to empty. After 3 miles it ran out of gas.…
Gas gauge will read between 14 to 1/2 tank of fuel then without warning drops to e and car dies. Faulty fuel sensor or pump due to saddlebag tank design. Also no cutout in floorboard to access the secondary sensor or pump. There is still about 4 or 5 gallons of fuel in the tank but the car thinks it is empty.
Steering
18 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
At slow speeds the power steering goes out and it becomes very difficult to turn the car. Trying to leave and navigate parking lots and small side streets becoming dangerous as the car is very hard to turn
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. After a few minutes the steering wheel operated normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the cause for the failure could not been determined. The vehicle was not…
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
My 2009 Ford Flex blow cold air when heat is on.does not allow windows to defrost causing a hazard.this happens when driving and idling.this happened last yr. As well but seems worst this yr.
My daughter was driving on interstate at 70 MPH when the Flex totaling shut down. She had no power steering, brakes or lights. It started back up after a couple of hours and was giving bogus messages on the display. Ford dealer says there are no codes showing up, so they won't be able to determine what caused this. We…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I have a Ford Flex limited 2009, the tailgate closes by touching a button. When closing it beeps. If it hits something it is suppose to open back up. Similar to a garage door. My 7 year old child didn't realize it was closing and was struck by the door, pushing her to the ground causing a bump on her head. Meanwhile…
Tl contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. While driving 15 MPH and making a left turn something broke off of the vehicle under the right rear wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the rear sub frame was broken and will be replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the vehicle…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Ford Flex recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2009 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (53 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); brakes (32 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); electrical (32 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Flex have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 26, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 4th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 181 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.