2014 Ford Flex Engine Problems

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)

NHTSA ID

11713105

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that occasionally, while attempting to reverse, the image on the back over prevention camera was displayed upside down. Additionally, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11688905

Incident

Sep 30, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds; the vehicle lost automotive power and the steering wheel was pulling to the left and was difficult to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. An appointment with the local independent dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the Year, Make, and Model being outside the selected VIN range. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unidentified NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,400.

NHTSA ID

11657816

Incident

Apr 25, 2025

Mileage

130,400 mi

Driving down road at 45MPH, vehicle lost power, motor quite running. Due to being on 4 lane divided road, and cars all around, I quickly hit my hazard lights, put it in neutral and coasted best I could and was able to turn on a side road to safety. This was very dangerous. Dash lights were on, no warning lights, messages before, during or after event. Tried restarting vehicle and it cranked away. Figured out had to repush the push start button to keep it from cranking away longer. Towed to local Ford dealer. They determined cause to be Fuel Pump Driver Module failed, (explains engine stop since there was no fuel supply, and needed replacement. In addition I had another issue, they found water pump was leaking out weep hole. I then discovered they built the water pump into the engine block, behind the timing chain. It takes 13 hours to replace, and if you don't replace, the water goes into the engine oil. Very bad design, knowing it would need to be replaced. Cost over $2500 and 1 week to change a water pump! Ridiculous. I know a class action lawsuit has been filed-while not a safety issue directly, I think many people will not change it (due to expense), and then the engine blows up while driving creating a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11512087

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was fluid leaking underneath. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump assembly and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11504677

Incident

Jan 20, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, he noticed a fluid leak underneath the engine. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the water pump and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11502739

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11490216

Incident

Oct 20, 2022

SAME ISSUE AS RECALL 16S46 WITH FAULTY TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE LEAKING. FORD COVERS MFG YEARS 2016-2017, BUT IS DENYING COVERAGE FOR THE SUBJECT 2014.

NHTSA ID

11395967

Incident

Dec 27, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHES WITH OIL SMELL AND SQUEAKING PULLEY THAT HOLDS SERPENTINE BELT. BURNING OIL SMELL, DEALER REPLACED OIL SENDING UNIT, WATER PUMP AND REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS.

NHTSA ID

11372296

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY CAR INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS OVER TEMPERATURE WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT.. I HAD COOLANT ADDED WITH 50% WATER. THE COOLANT LEAKED COMPLETELY OUT WITHIN 24 HOURS AND STARTED ALERTING ME OF THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11348963

Incident

Aug 3, 2020

ENGINE TURBO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DURING A LONGER ROAD TRIP (~600 MILES, MAJORITY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS). THIS IS THE V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP THAT IT 'FELL APART' AND PARTS OF IT WERE SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. SIGNIFICANT KNOCKING AND POP SOUND FROM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING; SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327692

Incident

Jun 4, 2020

Mileage

72,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11280998

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

BREAKS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES WITHIN 1 YEAR BY CARMAX. IN ADDITION, BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLES COMPUTER MODULE FAILED. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID

11278874

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

61,000 mi

WIFE STOPPED AND GOT GAS, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 45MILES, PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WOULDN'T START THE NEXT MORNING..... I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT STARTED, AND DETERMINED IT WAS A FUEL ISSUE. SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2013-2015 FLEXS' WITH SAME COMPLAINT. DIAGNOSIS WAS FUEL PUMP RELAY, BUT NOT MINE????

NHTSA ID

11183884

Incident

Feb 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUNTINGTON FORD (2890 S ROCHESTER RD, ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307, (248) 852-0400) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,818.

NHTSA ID

11181555

Incident

May 17, 2017

Mileage

65,818 mi

ENGINE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN ROAD. UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER AT THE SAME TIME AS ENGINE STALL. ALSO UNPROMPTED CALL TO FORD VEHICLE REPORT NUMBER WHILE TRAVELING NUMEROUS TIMES. ONCE CAR IS RESTARTED, SEVERAL CODES ARE LIT INCLUDING TRAC CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

NHTSA ID

11145188

Incident

Nov 3, 2018

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND CODE: 90627 ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNLAND FORD AT (760) 241-7751 (LOCATED AT 15330 PALMDALE RD, VICTORVILLE, CA 92392) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED IN THE EXISTING RECALL, HAD ALL THE SIGNS WHICH MET THE REQUIREMENTS. THE FUEL PUM CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/13/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11142713

Incident

Oct 24, 2018

Mileage

57,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHERE THE ODOR ORIGINATED FROM AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS. THE CONTACT CALLED ED BUTTS FORD (1515 N HACIENDA BLVD, LA PUENTE, CA 91744, (800) 960-3673) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED A SECOND TIME AND DIAGNOSED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11090505

Incident

May 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHEN IT WOULD START, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT CALLED JC LEWIS FORD (9505 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406). THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11084051

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

91,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE CHECK FUEL FILL INLET LIGHT HAD BEEN ON. WHEN TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID THE LEGAL CANISTER FAILED INTERNALLY. NOW FORD IS SAYING THEY WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE IT NOT PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE IS 2014 FORD FLEX DEL.

NHTSA ID

11083915

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

29,700 mi

TALANA RECALL , VAVLVE COVER, PCV VALVE, CRANKCASE VENT OIL SEPARATOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE RTB SILICONE, SAE 5W-30 PREMIUM SYNTHETIC OIL, BRAKE PARTS CLEANER, METAL SURFACE WIPES, SILICONE GASKET REMOVER. SMOKING CONDITION FROM THE TAILPIPE DURING NORMAL ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER SHIP WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. TOOK HOME. BROUGHT BACK 1 WEEK LATER.

NHTSA ID

11075994

Incident

Feb 5, 2018

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,250.

NHTSA ID

11065688

Incident

Jan 26, 2018

Mileage

80,250 mi

2014 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE EITHER SHUT OFF OR FAILED TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.*JS

NHTSA ID

11029820

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE HOSPITALIZED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUBSEQUENT BLOOD TESTS SHOWED TRACES OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BLOOD. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOSCH FORD (150 CARRIAGE CIR, HEMET, CA 92545, (951) 396-7250) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS NO TRACE OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.

NHTSA ID

11034110

Incident

Jul 15, 2014

Mileage

60 mi

NO, THERE WASN'T A FIRE (YET). BUT YOUR SYSTEM WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO SEND THIS W/O PICKING ONE OF THE THREE INCIDENT OPTIONS. BAD RAW FUEL SMELL AFTER EVERY ENGINE SHUTOFF. CAR TAKEN TO FORD DEALER WHO TOLD US THERE WAS A TSB# 14-0091 FOR THIS ISSUE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE! WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO START ON FIRE! PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID

10721735

Incident

May 26, 2015

Mileage

9,050 mi