2010 Ford Flex Owner Complaints

Leaving home to go to the grocery store and as I exited my street a dash warning came on stating "Power Steering Assist" fault Steering wheel locked up making it impossible for me to steer. Fortunately this happened in a spot where there was no other traffic and I was able to just turn off the car and restart and the message was gone and my steering was restored. I am now terrified to drive my car because if this had happened in traffic there could have been a serious accident because steering capability was non existent. . In reading online this is a very common problem with my make and model and apparently there was a recall by Ford for 2011 and later cars but not 2010 even though it is a "known problem" at dealerships. For me this now seems intermittent but in calling the dealership they know of the issue. It would cost me about $2200 to fix. I am happy to provide my vehicle for inspection. Thank you so much for your help ... greatly appreciated

NHTSA ID

11688616

Incident

Sep 18, 2025

On the road and power steering went out and was super hard to turn

NHTSA ID

11668438

Incident

Jun 22, 2025

Water ingress into rear side door latch - froze - door opened while car was in motion

NHTSA ID

11630519

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a metal clicking and scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the wheels felt loose. The contact stated that a nearby driver informed her that sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver identified that the rack and pinion had detached. In addition, the power steering fluid had leaked out onto the ground. The contact was driving on a busy highway during the failure occurred. The contact stated that her grandchildren were in the vehicle when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ID

11601196

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

Mileage

119,000 mi

While traveling at highway speeds 75+ a loud bang and then control of vehicle was hard to keep on road, swerved left then right, left rear quarter panel hit guard rail and caused car to spin around and went sideways and backwards down a 30 ft embankment. Fortunately did not roll. left side tires came off of rims and damage to driver side door was done. Highway Patrol had car towed to holding lot, where I then got car towed to my mechanic. The left side Lateral stabilizer Rod had broken due to rusted part, causing left rear wheel to go out of alignment. The rubber boot on the rod was attached, rust was internal would never had known about a problem. Had both lateral rods replaced tires re-balanced and alignment done.

NHTSA ID

11582315

Incident

Mar 31, 2024

Vehicle loses power steering intermittently upon vehicle startup as well as in motion. Vehicle is then extremely hard to control without power steering. Message " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" prints to the instrument cluster above the steering wheel. Turning the vehicle off and back on may resolve problem but it returns within a couple key cycles.

NHTSA ID

11578913

Incident

Mar 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed after waiting for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brake master cylinder, the brake booster, the vacuum pump, the brake calipers, the brake check valve, the brakes lines, and the brake pedal sensor were replaced. Additionally, the ECM was replaced and reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the brake fluid was hot after driving 15-20 miles. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11578032

Incident

Mar 18, 2022

Mileage

102,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 3 attempts. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the oil mixing with the coolant. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ID

11552870

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

Mileage

148,000 mi

While driving car suddenly losses power and the wrench light comes on. Loss of power with the car transmission wont move the car at all. have to pull over and turn off car about 5min then start it back up and now everything works with no codes. Happened 3 times.VERY DANGEROUS BECUASE CAR LOSSES POWER AND CARS BEHIND YOU ALMOST HITS YOU.

NHTSA ID

11512893

Incident

Mar 20, 2023

constant failure of the blend door actuator causes a clicking noise in the cabin upon starting the vehicle, or switching from vent mode to defrost mode. Also happens intermittently when activating the air conditioning. the clicking is loud enough to be heard from outside the vehicle. Unit has been replaced 4 times in 2 years. usually only lasts about a month before the unit starts to click again.

NHTSA ID

11512622

Incident

Mar 15, 2020

Vehicle was shaking in the rear area for some time at highway speeds. I took the vehicle in to the local tire shop to get the alignment checked. After that the vehicle still shook. I took the vehicle back to the tire shop and the alignment was already off quite a bit in the back tires. I took the vehicle in to the local ford dealership and was informed that the rear passenger toe link was cracking. This was replaced and the vehicle still shakes/vibrates a little bit at highway speeds. After tire rotation ,the vibration is getting better. The toe link had caused the tires to wear down inconsistently, which caused the secondary vibration.

NHTSA ID

11512621

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

While driving at 65mph, vehicle started to accelerate funny and cel came on. was getting on the freeway and the vehicle overheated and CEL light came on. I was able to safely pull over before the vehicle died. Got vehicle towed to my home and when engine oil was checked, it was discovered that there was coolant in the oil. Took to a local shop where it was determined that the water pump had failed and dumped all of the coolant into the oil pan. Estimated cost of repair with labor is $5,000. Failure mileage was ~192,000. The oil was in good standing and gold in color 12 hours prior and was only driven ~45 miles at highway speeds before the failure happened. From what I can tell, this was a catastrophic failure of the water pump bearing seal that happened almost instantaneously. This needs to be looked into, as the repair bill does not match the issue. A water pump repair should not cost more than the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11512619

Incident

Nov 7, 2022

UNKNOWN I was on the highway during dry conditions, and very suddenly fishtailed and swerved into another lane. Caused an accident. Could have been much worse. Rear driver's side wheel is not facing forward - tow driver says looks like a broken toe link. Insurance company has possession of the vehicle and will likely total the car, with no inspection by a repair shop.

NHTSA ID

11507734

Incident

Feb 11, 2023

My 2010 Ford Flex began inadvertently surging forward in acceleration without me making it do this exactly 3 months after I purchased the vehicle. The Ford Dealer was unable to re-produce the problem on several occasions and said my vehicle was fine. No error messages reported in the computer. This has continued to happen sporadically since ownership. I have had another Ford Dealership (as well as an independent mechanic) try and reproduce and diagnose the problem with no luck. Several weeks ago I was driving my vehicle in my residential neighborhood when all of a sudden my car surged forward with great acceleration with no warning. I had to swerve into a driveway and cut the vehicle off to get the vehicle under control. I am 82 and have a heart condition. This safety issue is critical as someone could get hurt or killed. Ford has several complaints of this happening with several models. I believe it is a Ford design flaw in the vehicles electronic throttle system. Ford Corporate was put on notice of these events after the latest safety event. Please, I urge the NHTSA to issue a recall before lives are lost. I can no longer drive this vehicle as I am concerned someone is going to get hurt. It is being towed to the Ravenel Ford Dealership for inspection and diagnosis again.....

NHTSA ID

11484426

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

Rear suspension toe-link failure on left side. Incident occurred without any notice at speed of approximately 30-35 MPH on highway after pulling away from having stopped for traffic light at intersection. Vehicle swerved uncontrollably to right at approximately 45 degrees, then began slow drift to left during which I was finally able to regain control by applying throttle pressure and torque to front wheels to pull it forward. This fortunately occurred on a multi-lane roadway with no other traffic to either side of vehicle. No insurance claim has been filed as vehicle was otherwise undamaged during this event, but it was towed to Vogler Ford, Carbondale, IL, where it remains in their service lot. It is available for inspection. I do not know if they have discussed this situation with any Ford Motor Co. personnel.

NHTSA ID

11482631

Incident

Jul 12, 2022

The air bag light is on stating that the code of b0001 driver frontal stage 1 deployment control and also code u0253. I have never in my life ever had an issue like this. No accidents either

NHTSA ID

11447784

Incident

Dec 14, 2021

I was in a parking lot and i felt the steering wheel shake and I got a message about the power steering assist fault. If I was moving or driving in traffic my family and my self could have been killed.

NHTSA ID

11447054

Incident

Jan 8, 2022

LEAKY FUEL TANK. STRONG SMELL OF LEAKY FUEL. WORRIED THAT VEHICLE MIGHT CATCH FIRE. TOOK IT INTO MY LOCAL OIL CHANGE PLACE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND LEAK. I CAN SEE A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON MY DRIVEWAY - ABOUT 2-3 FEET ROUND. BELIEVE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED. BUT I AM TOLD THE TANK IS MADE OF PLASTIC. LOOKED UP 2 OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR FAILURE COMPLAINTS. VEHICLE HAS 152,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11406309

Incident

Jan 30, 2021

Mileage

151,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BILL KNIGHT FORD (9607 S. MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TOE LINK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 351,000.

NHTSA ID

11404647

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

351,000 mi

WHEN I PRESS ON GAS IT JERKS AND FEELS LIKE ITS STRAING TO KICK UP.DRAGGING NO GAS ITS PULLING. AND WHEN I BREAK THE PEDDLES PUSH BACK AND MAKE WEIRD NOISES.IT SOMETIMES DON'T STOP .THE RADIO BUTTONS DOESN'T WORK NONE OF THEM.I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 08/15/2020

NHTSA ID

11365397

Incident

Aug 15, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

SUDDEN REPEATED INTERMITTENT STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING

NHTSA ID

11348920

Incident

Aug 9, 2020

Mileage

74,000 mi

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE ADVANCE TRAK TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION ON VEHICLE SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT INDICATION FROM THE TELL-TALE TO THE OPERATOR TO INDICATE THERE IS A PROBLEM OR INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS UNEXPECTED PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT IS VIOLENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER ACROSS THE CENTERLINE OF A LANE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A RISK TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WELL AS THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INDICATION TO THE DRIVER UNTIL THE EVENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH DURING AN IGNITION CYCLE TO TRIGGER THE TELL-TALE TO INDICATE A FAILURE OF THE ADVANCE TRAK SYSTEM, BUT THIS TELL-TALE ON THE DASH ONLY STAYS LIT DURING THE CURRENT IGNITION CYCLE AND WILL NOT BE PRESENT ON THE NEXT IGNITION CYCLE, AGAIN FAILING TO INDICATE THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ADVANCE TRAK TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM VIA THE WARNING LIGHT TELL-TALE ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

11320421

Incident

Apr 7, 2020

Mileage

185,000 mi

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE STILL STATIONARY THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CAR IS VERY HAD TO STEER AFTER GETTING THIS ERROR MESSAGE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND RE-START THE CAR AND THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS NOT DISPLAYED AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE ERROR IS NOW HAPPENING EVERY 2-3 DAYS DEPENDING ON THE FREQUENCY IT IS DRIVEN. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11320207

Incident

Mar 5, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE WATER PUMP FAILED WHICH FLOODED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PLANET FORD LOCATED AT (20403 I-45, SPRING, TX 77388 281-719-3700) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR 6-8 WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID

11309139

Incident

Feb 13, 2020

Mileage

192,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 20- 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO PULLED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RUBBING SOUND DETECTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MEL HAMBELTON FORD 11771 W KELLOGG AVE, WICHITA, KS 67209 (316) 462-3673 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID

11307494

Incident

Jan 29, 2020

Mileage

141,000 mi