KnownCarProblems2012 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Flex, most often about the steering (38% of complaints, typically around 59,500 miles). It is 10th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2012 Ford Flex problems
Steering
24 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
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…
I was driving in traffic when a warning sounded and my dashboard displayed the message "power steering assist failure". Steering became extremely difficult. I pulled into a service station and shut off the engine. When I restarted the engine, the steering problem had resolved itself. Approximately an hour later, the…
Engine
11 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles.
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…
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…
Electrical
10 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
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…
I was reversing from my driveway going less than 5 miles per hr. When my vehicle accelerated on its own going at a fast speed losing total control of my vehicle. The vehicle then finally stopped in the middle of the road and died out. I could of killed someone or hit something if they were behind me. I took my Flex to…
Brakes
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles.
While traveling through virginia to pennsylvania, the front brakes vibrate/pulsate upon light braking. Seems as though the brakes were overheating in the mountains. At times, the pulsating was violent enough to transmit through the vehicle and steering wheel and floor. After a long break at a stop for lunch, the…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated forward. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a post. The vehicle was not destroyed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 8%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…
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…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact entered the front passenger's side door and her leg was severely punctured by a sharp corner on the seat bracket. The contact sustained a deep laceration. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who covered the pointed corner area of the seat bracket. The…
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.
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 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 2012 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (24 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); engine (11 complaints, typically around 108,500 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 10th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 64 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.