2012 Ford Flex

The Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system failed completely and permanently while driving. This is the exact hardware defect described in Ford Safety Recall 15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340000), specifically relating to the internal Motor Position Sensor inside the steering gear assembly. The vehicle and the faulty component are fully available for inspection upon request in Sweden. The power steering assist failed suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was in motion. This caused an immediate, massive increase in steering effort, making the vehicle extremely heavy and difficult to control. A sudden loss of steering assist at driving speeds poses a catastrophic risk of a crash, potentially causing severe injury or death to myself, my family, and other road users. We were very close to crash in to a couple of parked cars. The permanent failure is active and consistently reproducible every time the vehicle is started. However, local authorized Ford dealers in Sweden (such as Hedin Automotive) refuse to officially scan, log, or confirm the repair under the recall protocol solely because the vehicle is a North American import, while Ford US refuses to authorize them to do so. The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to drive to a facility. Furthermore, the manufacturer (Ford) has actively avoided inspecting or handling the vehicle due to geographic boundaries, ignoring formal executive escalations regarding this safety defect. The failure happened instantly while driving, at which point the instrument cluster immediately displayed the "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning message and power assistance was permanently lost.

NHTSA ID

11775432

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

The B-pillar panels for the Ford Flex are known to be a road hazard. The last recall only included 2016-2019, but ALL Flexes have the same panel design which is an exposed plastic trim panel affixed to the metal door with double-sided tape. The tape fails, the panel flies off at freeway speeds and hits other traffic, or if it has the SecuriCode touchpad, will slap against the Flex, scaring the driver, who can suddenly swerve out of the lane. This happened to our Flex driver's side B-pillar with the Securicode panel twice. The first time I used duck tape to fasten it until the panel was replaced. The second panel which was bought in November 2023, became loose after only one year. After reattaching it in Sept 2025, it detached again, slapping against the body, scaring my wife, and broke into pieces on the highway leaving road debris. The Flex is one of many models Ford has that use the same type of plastic B-pillar with a touchscreen SecuriCode. Other models like the Edge, Explorer and F-150 also use double-sided tape but ALSO have a mechanical fastener that firmly fixes the plastic panel against the metal door. Ford has INTENTLY chosen to NOT use a mechanical primary or secondary fastener for the Flex, which is why the NTHSA receives so many complaints from Flex owners. Parts of a vehicle flying off of it on a highway or freeway is a serious problem and Ford CHOSE to shortcut this when they CLEARLY knew there would be problems. The fact that other models have an improved method of attachment is evidence of their acknowledgement of the problem. After 2 broken panels, it is reasonable that they should replace mine at no cost with an improved one that has similar fixes to panels used in the Edge, Explorer or F-150.

NHTSA ID

11774722

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

There is serious safety trouble occurring with the power steering components, and the brake system. I went to the Ford dealership and they said the recalls weren’t fixed back in 2015. And those recalls are the same issues that are occurring with my 2012 Ford Flex SE now. I just bought this vehicle and there is grinding noise when steering my vehicle and the ABS brake system comes on as soon as I crank up the vehicle and the brake goes down to the floor too loosely. The dealership says these potential recalls were noted for this 2012 Ford Flex in 2015. But the owner at the time didn’t have them fixed then because not all 2012 Ford Flex received the recalls at the same time. And the power steering components and brake system problems are very unsafe while I’m driving the vehicle and as I was told could cause a fatal car accident if not fixed.

NHTSA ID

11707935

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic had heard the abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel but had not run a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and had related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11707853

Incident

Dec 25, 2025

Mileage

180,000 mi

Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant failure that had a Safety recall and it was a 'safety recall'. I couldn't steer my car. Very scary! please investigate this and make sure that it was fixed right the first time. it should not have gone out. I hardly drive my car. thank you

NHTSA ID

11656456

Incident

Apr 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions, including while the contact was driving. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11645654

Incident

Feb 28, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

vehicle power steering stops working. Manual steering is extremely difficult to operate.

NHTSA ID

11644653

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

Front Passenger seat air bag light is on all the time. should I stop driving the car? Is this dangerous what does it mean? It is a 2012 Ford flex which I love and have not had any trouble with.

NHTSA ID

11610567

Incident

Aug 23, 2024

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.

Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For claiming, use the affected oil tube or pedestal gasket as the causal part and applicable labor operations in Sections 6 and 9 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.