2009 Ford Flex Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Ford Flex, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine5320.9%
- Electrical3313.0%
- Brakes3313.0%
- Powertrain (other)197.5%
- Fuel system197.5%
- Steering187.1%
- Driver assistance187.1%
- Body & structure124.7%
- Suspension93.5%
- Other / unspecified83.1%
- Visibility72.8%
- Interior & seats62.4%
- Airbags62.4%
- Seat belts41.6%
- Tires & wheels41.6%
- Transmission41.6%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
About 5 miles from home with no warning.The car went from regular temp to hot then stopped.Water mixed with the oil.The tech said the water pump just failed.I did not have any problems with it running hot or anything.
My Flex has repeatedly lost power while driving. I can feel the car lose power, and the yellow wrench light comes on. After reading up on it, I learned that you have to turn the vehicle off, wherever you are, and restart it after a few minutes. The wrench light turns off, and the car runs as normal, with no records of codes. This is talked about over and over in online forums. The safety issue is that it has happened on the freeway several times while traveling at a high rate of speed. The car loses power, and you cannot accelerate. You have to find a way to stop immediately, put the car in park (and listen to the transmission clunk) and turn it off. This last instance put me in harms way on the freeway. The car lost power while traveling 70mph. I immediately lost speed and had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to pull over to turn the car off. All of the forums talk about the throttle body, but everyone says that’s not the issue. The OSS and TSS sensors are also discussed. The dealerships cannot find out what’s wrong because once the car is turned off and restarted, any codes are erased. The issue persists, and the car keeps losing power wherever and whenever. I am referencing the most recent incident on this form, however, this has happened at least 12 times since September, 2020. Please, please force a recall on this issue!
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
You can be driving down the road, and all your gauges will stop working, and all the warning lights on the dash will light up. The first time this happened my wife got stuck at a gas station all the warning lights were on and the car would not start, people tried to jump it and it would not affected at all. I looked on the internet and found were someone said to beat on the passenger side floorboard, I called my wife and told her to try that, and when she did the car would start. It doesn't do it all the time, you never know when it's going to happen. We have to just stomp on the passenger floor to get everything to start working again. If I had not found this information from somebody else on the internet my wife would have been stuck about a hundred miles from home. I've taken it to the Ford house and they say they've never heard of anything like this but I know it's happened before two other people that's how I knew to stomp on the floorboard on the passenger side.
The door ajar sensor malfunctions and is crazy expensive to fix. There are numerous posts and videos online of workarounds bcz it’s so common but they don’t seem safe since that’s a safety feature and the workarounds are simply a way to trick or bypass the warning sensors since the doors are actually closed in most cases. Ford needs to take ownership of this and issue a recall. There’s a tire pressure sensor failure as well.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. After parking inside the garage, there was fuel leaking from the seam of the fuel tank on the passenger’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Also, while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal would extend to the floor and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact determined that the brake booster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DRIVER RESUMED DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO GARBER FORD (3380 US-17, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043, (904) 264-2442) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Flex has repeatedly lost power while driving. I can feel the car lose power, and the yellow wrench light comes on. After reading up on it, I learned that you have to turn the vehicle off, wherever you are, and restart it after a few minutes. The wrench light turns off, and the car runs as normal, with no records of codes. This is talked about over and over in online forums. The safety issue is that it has happened on the freeway several times while traveling at a high rate of speed. The car loses power, and you cannot accelerate. You have to find a way to stop immediately, put the car in park (and listen to the transmission clunk) and turn it off. This last instance put me in harms way on the freeway. The car lost power while traveling 70mph. I immediately lost speed and had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to pull over to turn the car off. All of the forums talk about the throttle body, but everyone says that’s not the issue. The OSS and TSS sensors are also discussed. The dealerships cannot find out what’s wrong because once the car is turned off and restarted, any codes are erased. The issue persists, and the car keeps losing power wherever and whenever. I am referencing the most recent incident on this form, however, this has happened at least 12 times since September, 2020. Please, please force a recall on this issue!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SECURE LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL GAUGE READING DROPS SUDDENLY FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, NOT ALLOWING TIME TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT SO FAR ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A POSITION TO PULL OFF THE ROAD (ON SINGLE LANE ROADWAY, OR IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. HAS BEED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND ON RESIDENTIAL AREA.
THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ BETWEEN 1/2 AND 1/4 TANK THEN IMMEDIATELY MAKE A *DING* AND THE DISPLAY READS 0 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY. IF YOU DRIVE ANYTHING FURTHER THAN A SHORT DISTANCE (10 MILES OR SO) THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS "OUT" OF FUEL. REFILLING THE TANK YOU WILL FIND THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS WHATEVER FUEL THE GAUGE WAS SHOWING BEFORE IT DROPPED TO ZERO. IT IS CONSISTENT, IT DOES THIS EVERY TANK. APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was driving and the steering wheel became stiff. I received no warnings indications or lights on the dash. I had to give it a hard turn to get it to a parking lot and have it towed to a dealership.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING SEIZED. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE SAFELY TO A LOT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO NOISES, NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. THE STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Flex has repeatedly lost power while driving. I can feel the car lose power, and the yellow wrench light comes on. After reading up on it, I learned that you have to turn the vehicle off, wherever you are, and restart it after a few minutes. The wrench light turns off, and the car runs as normal, with no records of codes. This is talked about over and over in online forums. The safety issue is that it has happened on the freeway several times while traveling at a high rate of speed. The car loses power, and you cannot accelerate. You have to find a way to stop immediately, put the car in park (and listen to the transmission clunk) and turn it off. This last instance put me in harms way on the freeway. The car lost power while traveling 70mph. I immediately lost speed and had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to pull over to turn the car off. All of the forums talk about the throttle body, but everyone says that’s not the issue. The OSS and TSS sensors are also discussed. The dealerships cannot find out what’s wrong because once the car is turned off and restarted, any codes are erased. The issue persists, and the car keeps losing power wherever and whenever. I am referencing the most recent incident on this form, however, this has happened at least 12 times since September, 2020. Please, please force a recall on this issue!
WHILE BRAKING AND PARKING MY VEHICLE, MY VEHICLE HAD UNWANTED ACCELERATION. GOING AS HIGH AS 120MPH AND HOLDING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING. I HAD TO HURRY AND SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF MY VEHICLE. OTHER TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE COMING STOP AND IT WOULD GO UP TO ABOUT 40MPH AND I WOULD DESPERATELY HOLD THE BRAKE SCARED I WOULD HIT SOMEONE
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FORD FLEX 2009 WAS PARKED AT WORK WENT ON BREAK TO MY FORD FLEX OPEN DRIVERS DOOR CRAB WHAT I NEED CLOSED DOOR AND BACK REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUT INTO PEACE'S NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS INCIDENT WITH FORD
CAR STARTED 2 YEARS AGO WITH "STUTTERING" WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, AS IF THE CAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHICH GEAR TO STAY IN. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND REFILLED IN APRIL 2016. PROBLEM WAS LESS BUT STILL REMAINED. ADDED DR SHUTTER IN JUNE 2016 TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND PROBLEM HAS WENT AWAY, THAT WAS LAST YEAR. PAINT ON THE HOOD IS PEELING AND STARTED OUT AS A SMALL CHIP MAY 2016, AND IS NOW THE SIZE OF A 2 BASKETBALLS. BLACK BODY PIECES THAT ARE BETWEEN THE WINDOWS ON THE SIDE AND IN FRONT BY THE WINDSHIELD ARE LOOSE AND COMING OFF. WILL PROVIDE PHOTOS IF NEEDED
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving around February 20th, 2022 we started swerving uncontrollably and almost ran into the curb and flipped while going about 40 MPH. My husband put on breaks but it felt like we were sliding on ice....without any ice on the road. We almost flipped and were very shaken, and lucky. We got vehicle to Firestone and they said our left rear toe link had broke. Supposedly our vehicle year is not part of the recall, I think it should be. Thank you
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND STATED THAT THE STEERING U JOINT, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER (CAR NATION, 317 SOUTH PHILADELPHIA BLVD, ABERDEEN, MD 21001, (410) 995-8888) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE CONTACT PUT 1,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,080. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
On February 26, 2026, I purchased a used 2009 Ford Flex VIN from Header’s Auto Sales. At time of delivery, the vehicle was equipped with tires that did not meet the manufacturer’s required load rating for this vehicle. A licensed mechanic provided a safety assessment confirming the tires were improperly load-rated and unsafe to carry the vehicle load. We were not informed of this issue at sale. To make the vehicle safe to drive, I replaced all 4 tires at my cost. Improper load-rated tires can result in tire failure, loss of vehicle control, and crash. Dealer sold vehicle "as-is" without disclosure of this safety defect.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DRIVER RESUMED DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO GARBER FORD (3380 US-17, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043, (904) 264-2442) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FORD FLEX 2009 WAS PARKED AT WORK WENT ON BREAK TO MY FORD FLEX OPEN DRIVERS DOOR CRAB WHAT I NEED CLOSED DOOR AND BACK REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUT INTO PEACE'S NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS INCIDENT WITH FORD
THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WHEN TURNED ON THIS WINTER. THE FAN BLOWS OK. THE FAN BELT IS OK. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: FIRST THE A/C MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. IT WORKS FINE AS OF NOW THOUGH. SECOND, DRIVERS SIDE 2ND ROW SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN 99% OF THE TIME. IT'S STUCK SOMEHOW. THIRD, GAS LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. FOURTH IS THE BIGGY. CAR IS OVERHEATING DUE TO RADIATOR FAN'S NO LONGER WORKING. IT RUNS HOT WHEN IDLING OR MOVING AT A SLOW PACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE HOT, SUMMER MONTHS OF 90*+ AND I HAVE A TWO AND A FOUR YEAR OLD. THREE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED IN 20* WEATHER WITH A WIND CHILL OF BELOW ZERO ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH MY HUSBAND BEING MY NEAREST HELP WHO WAS 45 MINUTES AWAY. MY CHILDREN WERE CRYING AFTER JUST 10 MINUTES OR LESS THAT THEY WERE FREEZING AND THAT THEIR TOES HURT. BUT WHAT AM I TO DO ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME ANSWER "THERE IS NO RECALLS. TAKE IT TO YOUR NEAREST FORD DEALER". I FOUND OUT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THAT WE HAVE AN EXTENDED CARE PLAN. IT'S CURRENTLY ALL BEING REPAIRED UNDER THE PLAN, THANK GOODNESS, WITH ONLY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND A RENTAL CAR. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT ASPECT. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS SHOULD ALL BE A RECALL DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE OVERHEATING. NOBODY SHOULD BE HAVING TO PAY A DIME OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THESE ISSUES. HOWEVER, FORD COULD CARE LESS. THEY GOT THEIR MONEY FROM THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLES AND OBVIOUSLY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT SAFETY AND MAKING THINGS RIGHT. WHEN PEOPLE ASK HOW I LIKE MY FLEX. MY REPLY IS "ORIGINALLY I LOVED IT, NOW I HATE IT" AND I TELL THEM EXACTLY WHY IF THEY ASK, WHICH IS EVERY TIME. FIRST AND LAST FORD. BAD COMPANY ALL THE WAY AROUND. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL 16C06,WE CALLED THE RECALL NUMBER AND THEY ARE DENYING AND REFUSING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE THAT THE NHTSA HAS SET INTO PLACE.WE ARE SEEKING COMPLIANCE IN GETTING THIS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO US SINCE THIS IS A JUSTIFIED RECALL.PLEASE CONTACT US AT [XXX] .WE ARE EXPERIENCING WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON IN VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAGS ARE OFF AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING IT COMES IN MY DASHBOARD THO REMOVE ALL OBJECTS FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIT OR DRIVER SIT WHEN THERE IS NOTHING THERE AND NOW IT DOESN'T WANNA ACELRATE MY CAR AT ALL IT PARKED NOW FOR 3 MONTHS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. STARTS OFF WITH THE RELEASE BUTTON STICKING, AFTER TIME THE BUCKLE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER IS ABLE TO BE USED. THE 3RD ROW BUCKLE WAS FIRST, NOW THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE IS STARTING TO STICK.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR IS NOT RELEASING THE BELT WHEN TRYING TO BUCKLE IN PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON A TRIP. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. I AM CONCERNED THE SEATBELT WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. WHEN CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WAS ADVISED THAT FORD DOES NOT PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ITS SEATBELTS!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN MXV4 TIRES, SIZE: 235/60R18. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 77,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I PURCHASED FOUR TIRES APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO. IN THE LAST WEEK, THREE OF THOSE TIRES DEVELOPED BULGES IN THEM, WHICH COULD'VE RESULTED IN A BLOWOUT. I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY BECAUSE I DRIVE THE HIGHWAY FREQUENTLY, TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE SHOP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES. TIRE ONE WAS REPLACED WITH A ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY. I DID NOT PAY FOR THE COST OF ANOTHER TIRE. JUST YESTERDAY, TWO MORE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, A BULGE. THE SHOP MANAGER TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS POTHOLES AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS THE ROADS ARE BAD. LATER THAT SAME EVENING, MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND BY THE NEXT MORNING, ON THE WAY TO DROPPING MY HUSBAND OFF TO WORK, HE NOTICED THE TIRE JUST REPLACED THE DAY BEFORE WAS FLAT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, TOYO TIRES, THEY SAID THE SAME THING THE TIRE SHOP SAID, INDICATING THAT IT WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. BASICALLY, THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS WITH THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE/TIRE DESIGN. I THINK SOME INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE TIRES, AS THIS DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD TIRE ISSUES AND I DRIVE IN TREACHEROUS CLIMATES ALL THE TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 FORD FLEX TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* 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 TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY, NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: FIRST THE A/C MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. IT WORKS FINE AS OF NOW THOUGH. SECOND, DRIVERS SIDE 2ND ROW SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN 99% OF THE TIME. IT'S STUCK SOMEHOW. THIRD, GAS LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. FOURTH IS THE BIGGY. CAR IS OVERHEATING DUE TO RADIATOR FAN'S NO LONGER WORKING. IT RUNS HOT WHEN IDLING OR MOVING AT A SLOW PACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE HOT, SUMMER MONTHS OF 90*+ AND I HAVE A TWO AND A FOUR YEAR OLD. THREE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED IN 20* WEATHER WITH A WIND CHILL OF BELOW ZERO ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH MY HUSBAND BEING MY NEAREST HELP WHO WAS 45 MINUTES AWAY. MY CHILDREN WERE CRYING AFTER JUST 10 MINUTES OR LESS THAT THEY WERE FREEZING AND THAT THEIR TOES HURT. BUT WHAT AM I TO DO ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME ANSWER "THERE IS NO RECALLS. TAKE IT TO YOUR NEAREST FORD DEALER". I FOUND OUT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THAT WE HAVE AN EXTENDED CARE PLAN. IT'S CURRENTLY ALL BEING REPAIRED UNDER THE PLAN, THANK GOODNESS, WITH ONLY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND A RENTAL CAR. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT ASPECT. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS SHOULD ALL BE A RECALL DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE OVERHEATING. NOBODY SHOULD BE HAVING TO PAY A DIME OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THESE ISSUES. HOWEVER, FORD COULD CARE LESS. THEY GOT THEIR MONEY FROM THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLES AND OBVIOUSLY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT SAFETY AND MAKING THINGS RIGHT. WHEN PEOPLE ASK HOW I LIKE MY FLEX. MY REPLY IS "ORIGINALLY I LOVED IT, NOW I HATE IT" AND I TELL THEM EXACTLY WHY IF THEY ASK, WHICH IS EVERY TIME. FIRST AND LAST FORD. BAD COMPANY ALL THE WAY AROUND. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .