KnownCarProblems2011 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Flex, most often about the steering (40% of complaints, typically around 118,000 miles). It is 5th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 Ford Flex problems
Steering
57 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Started car power steering default sign lit up on dash and there was was no power steering. Fortunately I was around the corner from my home and was able to get it home.
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…
Engine
32 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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…
Car has meticulous service record, I had 86k miles on car. The car would not start towed to dealership. The ceramic water pump exploded, causing coolent to mix with oil. Now I need new engine $8,000. I have used same dealership for car maintenance for last 7 years.
Transmission
19 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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
From a stop, transmission slipped, banged into 1st (or 2nd gear), did it again around 50 MPH, felt like the tranny slipped and then banged into gear. The banging into gear is a violent lurch. Took it to Ford told nothing wrong with vehicle (even though I had prior tsb's on same tranny issues in 01/2011 build cars).…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles.
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.
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
Electrical
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles.
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…
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…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
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…
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…
Brakes
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles.
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…
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…
Seats
7 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles.
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…
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 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."
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2011 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (57 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles); engine (32 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); transmission (19 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Flex have?
- 2 recalls 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 2011 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 5th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 144 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.