2011 Ford Flex Brakes Problems

I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I got the vehicle and I have been told they are just sensors from multiple mechanics and that they don't mean anything. As it relates to the issues, the brakes, calipers, and wheel bearings have given out twice WHILE DRIVING without any sort of warning up until they seized! The strut on the front passenger side has broken for no known reason and the power steering system has been non stop eating power steering fluid with no leaks. Since I have gotten this vehicle, I have put OVER 7,000 dollars worth of work into it. This went to fixing the brake calipers, brakes, rotors, all the steering mechanisms (tie rods, sway bars, etc.) and wheel bearings twice, trying to figure out why coolant flew out of the vehicle for no known reason, trying to figure out where the power steering fluid is going, all to no avail. I have had multiple mechanics look at and check all the components of the vehicle, and they can't even figure out what is going on other than things just fail without warning non stop. There is something wrong with these vehicles, EVERY SINGLE OWNER OF A 2011 FORD FLEX THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS SAID THE SAME EXACT THING, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS I AM, AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY! THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND A CHECK FOR THE PRICE OF A PERFECT 2011 FORD FLEX GIVEN TO EVERY 2011 FORD FLEX OWNER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS AS THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL AS PASSENGERS IN THE FLEX AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE! A 2011 FOR FLEX IN PERFECT CONDITION IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY $15,000, FORD SHOULD BE SUED FOR THIS! My vehicle is available for inspection when necessary, thank you!

NHTSA ID

11736911

Incident

May 2, 2026

My brakes locked up suddenly on the rear end causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road and unable to move it, even to tow it. I had to take 2 days almost to fix it in the middle of the road, since yesterday morning. They also began locking up suddenly on the front end, the wheel bearing, CV Joint, Tie Rods, CV Axles, CV Boots, and sway bars began failing out of nowhere as well. The brakes may or may not be able to be replicated, as they are partially fixed and yes my entire front end can be replicated. The danger is my brakes locked up as I was driving, in the middle of the road at that. I have not been able to get the front end fixed as it is expensive, however the danger of this is the tires falling off or the front end failing all together. ALL of the other people who drive these that I have talked to and met have had the same problem and yes they are factory parts! Even the people who have only 30 to 60000 miles on their 2011 Ford Flex Titaniums have these issues! Not only this but also the sensors go bad almost immediately off the lot, which can cause the car to brake without warning, stop running out of nowhere, make the power steering module fail, make your vehicle stutter because ALL of the sensors are bad. These vehicles need to be recalled and fixed, or recalled and replaced with better vehicles (from $60,000 up to $95,000) with any mileage any year. Please recall these and please help! I just got mine, this isn't right!

NHTSA ID

11694344

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact would make several attempts to start the vehicle to regain normal functionality; however, the failure would recur within several hours or several days. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH in a School Zone from a stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the traction control, engine, battery, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed the VIN was not under recall, nor were the repairs covered under warranty. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 125,436.

NHTSA ID

11566270

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

Mileage

125,436 mi

TAMARA RECALL

NHTSA ID

11010431

Incident

Jul 24, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NO STOPPING. CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10659182

Incident

Nov 12, 2014

Mileage

34,000 mi

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 THEM. ON 7-20-2014 THE DID THE SAME THING BUT NOT AS BAD. MADE APPT. WITH FIRESTONE AUTO CARE ON 7-25-2014 TO HAVE A BRAKE INSPECTION DONE ALL FOUR TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR CALIPER PINS HAD CEASED UP ON THE REAR BRAKES NOT ALLOWING THE CALIPER TO OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOES TO BE REPLACED, BOTH ROTORS AND CALIPERS, BECAUSE BY KNOW IT WAS METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO WORK DONE TO THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE I WAS TOLD. I HAD THIS VIBRATING OR EASY SHAKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE FRONT WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP. I HAD THIS CHECKED BACK IN THE WINTER TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES BUT COULD NOT FIND NOTHING. NOT THAT THE BACK BRAKES ARE FIXED THE VIBRATION IS GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10616380

Incident

Jul 14, 2014

Mileage

46,700 mi

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 CALIPER FAILING ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. SQUEALING HAS BEEN RESOLVED SINCE THIS REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10572908

Incident

Feb 4, 2014

Mileage

57,811 mi

CPSC: I1380138A. 2011 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHEMICALS USED TO MELT ICE AND SNOW CAUSES BRAKES ROTORS TO ROT. STATED AT 23,000 MILES HIS REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO AT 32,000 MILES ALL THE ROTORS WERE ROTTEN AGAIN. *LN

NHTSA ID

10537648

Incident

Jul 17, 2013

Mileage

23,000 mi