Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Ford Flex submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 56 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 56, in the owner's own words
I noticed about 6 months ago, the Backup camera has been cutting out randomly, and has been getting worse. I noticed that there is a recall for 2015 - current models of Ford Flex for this issue. Not sure why the 2014 model isn't a part of the recall, as my car seems to be doing the exact thing described in the recall.
After reporting to work on [XXX], I discovered that the front of my vehicle was on fire. Emergency services were immediately contacted, and employees on site attempted to contain the fire using fire extinguishers. The fire department arrived shortly thereafter and successfully extinguished the fire. Despite these efforts, the vehicle was ultimately deemed a total loss. Later that day, my sister advised me to review footage from our Ring camera from that morning. The video shows visible sparks coming from underneath my vehicle prior to my departure. At that time, I drove approximately nine miles to work, unaware of any issue with the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I know that the 2015-2019 Ford Flex is being recalled for rear camera issues and "B" pillar mldgs. coming loose. My 2014 Flex has these same issues. What about earlier models?
Rear camera view is inverted or not displayed when reversing. Unsafe to back vehicle due to this failure. Has not been diagnosed/repaired by a service center. Has not functioned properly for 7-8 years.
The back-up camera is malfunctioning. Either appear blank or will work for about 5 seconds then go blank. Took to mechanic and was confirmed as malfunctioning per codes, but wasn't able to completely diagnose.
Faulty back up camera. Shows inverted and distorted image, or fails to operate at all. Has been an issue for about 3 years.
Rear back up camera has stopped working
Rear backup camera not working or distorted. This has a recall on the 2019 Ford Flex but none of the other years. If you look into this, this has been a major issue since 2013 with all of the Ford Flex vehicles.
Front Control Interface Module failure resulting in unresponsive climate controls and audio. The issue starts with the audio stopping, followed by the HVAC turning off and then followed by defrosters turning on full blast. No warning prior to these turning off. Safety issue is the full on heaters happened on a 90+ degree day with a full car. With windows down, the heat and humidity inside and outside the vehicle rose to unsafe levels. Initial diagnosis was a software update, then a PCM replacement and finally Front Control Interface Module replacement.
No warning lights , electric steering failed while turning on a busy Highway. Was able to barely keep control fighting with Manual steering . Took the vehicle into independent shop and they replaced steering rack. $2500 dollars.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on various occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to unlock using the key fob. The contact had a locksmith go to her residence, and the key fob battery, and two unknown fuses were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that on various occasions, the "No Key Detected" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure persisted and that when the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, it was diagnosed that the key fob needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the remote function actuator module needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
We were experiencing an intermittent electrical issue where the vehicle would crank but not start every time. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on two separate occasions and the mechanic was unable to properly test the vehicle and/or recreate the problem. After some further research, I found a recall on slightly older VIN numbers for this model Flex. The recall for the Fuel Pump Control Module: Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump Recall date 2016-08-24 Recall no. 16V621000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump. Recall consequence: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall action: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31. In addition, I located a forum of owners who were experiencing the same issues. These individuals either replaced the component themselves or had the service performed by a mechanic. https://www.fordflex.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=212782&sid=6b719ac74855e58a8f26cce53f76b60f#p212782 We are the single owners of this vehicle, and the miles are low at 38,036. I replaced the Fuel Pump Control Module GA8Z-9D370-A several days ago and it started immediately, without exception or issue. I saved the part in case the NHTSA needs it for any testing. I would urge the consideration of expanding the coverage of recalls to include more VINs since the risk for engine shutdown could cause a crash.
Approximately 2 months ago car would not start. Towed to dealer on Friday. Dealer evaluated it on Monday but car resumed starting. Retrieved car. This morning problem returned. Having already done a lot of research on this apparently common issue it seems most of the time it is the fuel pump control module located behind the plastic trim on the passenger side B pillar. A replacement part was acquired from a Ford Parts Dealer and installed into the car. Car starts and runs fine now.
The universal joint at the end of the steering column failed causing the vehicle to become difficult to steer. and The fuel pump module failed causing a no start situation
Driver side door locks are malfunctioning. the system says the door is open when it is securely closed. The system won’t turn off interior lights which drains the battery. It also won’t allow locks to lock thinking the door is ajar. There are recalls for this issue on other Ford SUV’s but not for the Flex.
My car thinks passenger door is constantly open. And my car alarm goes off sporadically all hours of day and night. Rain sleet or snow even hot weather.
The Driver Door Ajar light comes on even when the door has been closed. It takes a few times of closing the door hard before the light goes off. The alert means the interior lights stay on and it keeps alerting me that I'm not in Park. If I can't get the alert light to go off, this would be a hazard to driving, especially at night.
DOORS DO NOT LOCK WHILE DRIVING; WARNING THAT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY
BOUGHT USED WITH 65,000 MILES, AT 75,000 MILES PASSENGER BACK DOOR SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING CAR TO SAY "RIGH BACK DOOR AJAR" AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON, DOORS DO NOT LOCK WHEN DRIVING, ALARM GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WHY HAS FORD NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS - CLEARLY A PROBLEM. ALSO THE 2ND ROW SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE. KIDS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK - CNA'T UNLATCH THEM. ONE OF THE RECEPTECLES JUST FELL APART - NOT SAFE! WHY HASN'T FORD DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I OWN 5 FORD VEHICLES AND THE OLDER VEHICLES RUN GREAT - NO ISSUES. SEEMS LIKE FROM 2012 AND NEWER THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY AND CARE FROM FORD?
THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY DING AND AN ALERT WILL APPEAR ON THE LEFT GAUGE AREA, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IN PARK. THE FIRST ONE USUALLY SAYS, 'ENGINE ON'. IT IS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY 3 OTHER ALERTS. THE SECOND ONE USUALLY SAYS, 'DRIVER DOOR AJAR', EVEN THOUGH IT IS TIGHTLY CLOSED. THEN ANOTHER ONE APPEARS THAT SAYS, 'MY KEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY'. THEN ANOTHER ONE WILL APPEAR THAT SAYS, 'LIFTGATE AJAR', OR 'VEHICLE APPROACHING FROM LEFT'. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS NEARBY. IT RANDOMLY HAPPENS WHEN PARKED AS WELL AS WHEN DRIVING. IT CAN BE VERY STARTLING WHEN THE ONE COMES ON THAT SAYS ANOTHER VEHICLE IS APPROACHING SINCE THE DINGING IS MUCH FASTER AND IS INTENDED TO LET YOU KNOW OF A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED BUT WE GOT A RECALL NOTICE EARLIER THIS YEAR AND THOUGHT THAT WAS WHAT THIS WAS. THEN I LOOKED IT UP SINCE WE NEVER RECEIVED ANOTHER MAILER TO LET US KNOW WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE, AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL IS FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
DRIVER DOOR SENSOR DETECTS DOOR AS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLEARLY CLOSED. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU SLAM DOOR THE SENSOR DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE DOOR AS CLOSED. THIS KEEPS THE INSIDE LIGHTS ON AND CAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK EVEN WHEN IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ENTER CAR. WARNING STAYS ON WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO SLAM DOOR SEVERAL TIMES REALLY HARD AND HOPE IT ACKNOWLEDGE DOOR AS CLOSED SO YOU CAN LICK CAR AND TURN ON ALARM.
THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING PASSENGER DOOR NOT CLOSED. ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. DOUBLE CHECK BUT LIGHT VERY SELDOM GOES OUT. MAKES THE LIGHTS STAY ON IN THE CAR LONGER THAN USUAL, CAN'T LOCK THE CAR DOOR, IF CAR IS PARKED AND WARNING LIGHT ABOUT DOOR GOES OFF AND YOU LOCK THE CAR THE ALARM WILL GO OFF ANYTIME DURING DAY OR NIGHT. LIGHT SAYING DOOR NOT CLOSED COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, FIRST CRANK UP, WHEN YOU CUT CAR OFF OR WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR.
IT SAYS PASSENGER DOOR IS OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MILES THEN CAR ALARM GOES OFF HOURS LATER. *TR
MY DOOR STARTED TO SAY THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN. AND 1 WEEK LATER I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SENSOR SAYING IT IS OPEN OR AJAR. I ASKED FORD IF THIS INCLUDED THE BACK DOOR. THEY REQUIRED THAT I TAKE IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY NEVER INFORMED ME IF IT INCLUDED THE BACK DOOR THEY JUST WENT AHEAD AND FIXED THE FRONT DOOR WHICH WAS ALWAYS WORKING.
LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF INSIDE CAR SAYS THERE IS A DOOR OPEN MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE RUNS DOWN CAR BATTERY ALARM GOES OFF EVERY NIGHT DUE TO THIS ELECTRICAL FLAW
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .