2015 Ford Flex Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Flex, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance2422.0%
- Steering1917.4%
- Fuel system1816.5%
- Electrical1311.9%
- Engine1110.1%
- Powertrain (other)1110.1%
- Suspension76.4%
- Visibility21.8%
- Seat belts10.9%
- Interior & seats10.9%
- Tires & wheels10.9%
- Body & structure10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While reversing, the back over prevention camera image appeared upside down, or the message “Camera Not Available" was displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering Service Fault and Avancetrac Service popped up while driving, vehicle has 110k miles. Lost all power steering, so we pulled off into the closest parking lot. Code U3000 pulled up with a code reader, waiting to have vehicle towed to Ford for a solution.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact state that while driving on two occasions at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became very stiff. The "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. During the first failure, the contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, failure was no duplicated. The contact stated that during the second failure, the vehicle was taken to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car lost power while driving on interstate CIL indicates P0171 P0174 codes
FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM FAILURE. DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED WITH FORD DEALER
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear view camera under recall. Told by Ford for 3 months in a row that should receive paper in mail for recall repair. Have not received paper. Very dangerous backing up.
back up camera works intermittently. black screen, camera not available, works for short period of time then goes blank, and upside down camera have all been exhibited .
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION ON MAJOR ROADWAY, LOSS OF POWER AND GOES INTO LIMP MODE. YELLOW WRENCH LIGHTS UP. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON . THERE IS NO DTC CODE WHEN CHECKED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. CAR LOSES POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATES WITHIN 5 SECONDS. THERE IS ZERO TIME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHICH PUT US AT HIGH RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED. THIS IS A LIFE/ROAD SAFETY HAZARD
I TOOK IT TO RUSSELL AND SMITH FORD IN HOUSTON, TX. THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE. A WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM, IT CRANKS BUT WONT TURNOVER. IT IS NOW AT STERLING MCCALL FORD IN HOUSTON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL ATTACH THEIR DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE 57, 000 MILES ONLY ON THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT THIS WILL ALL GO OUT TO ALL FORD DEALERSHIPS..THANK YOU
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The dealer sprayed rust off the exhaust. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from under the hood before losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact noticed an abnormal burning odor. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) had exploded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION ON MAJOR ROADWAY, LOSS OF POWER AND GOES INTO LIMP MODE. YELLOW WRENCH LIGHTS UP. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON . THERE IS NO DTC CODE WHEN CHECKED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. CAR LOSES POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATES WITHIN 5 SECONDS. THERE IS ZERO TIME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHICH PUT US AT HIGH RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED. THIS IS A LIFE/ROAD SAFETY HAZARD
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V072000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called two local dealers and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts Distribution Disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear (Backup} camera malfunctioning. Recall 25V6595. Two (2) Dealers state that there is no recall (Fritt's Ford, Raceway Ford Riverside Ca). VIN [XXX] This is ongoing. There was no accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
THE REAR WINDOW WASHER HOSE HAS BLOWN APART THREE TIMES. ONCE LAST WINTER SO I COULD NOT REMOVE SLUSH TO SEE OUT REAR WINDOW. TWICE THIS YEAR, AT THE CONNECTION TO REAR HOSE. NEW HOSE INSTALLED AT FORD DEALER MONTH OR SO AGO. SINCE THEN HOSE BLEW APART AT FIRE WALL. I PUSHED CONNECTION BACK INTO FIREWALL. SATERDAY 7-29-17 CAR WAS IN FOR OIL CHANGE I ASKED IF THEY COULD LOOK AT HOSE. THEY COULD NOT,SAID TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. 8-1-17 FRONT WINDOW HOSE BLEW APART. I COULD NOT CLEAN BUGS FROM WINDOW. WILL SCHEDULE THIRD REPAIR APPOINTMENT TOMORROW. I WAS DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY FOR ALL REAR HOSE PROBLEMS. 45 MPH CITY STREET WITH FRONT HOSE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LOCKING MECHINISM HAS BROKEN TWICE ON THE REAR PASSANGER SEATBELT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FLEX. WHILE AS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT ON THE RIGHT INADVERTENTLY MOVED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT COLLAPSED AND THE HEAD REST STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND EYES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The dealer sprayed rust off the exhaust. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from under the hood before losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact noticed an abnormal burning odor. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) had exploded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LATCH FAILURE. NOTICED PROBLEM WITH DOOR AJAR LIGHT LIT FOR A COUPLE DAYS. SUBSEQUENT BATTERY DRAINING PROBLEMS. SEEMS DUE TO KEEPING LIGHTS ON IN CAR BECAUSE IT THOUGHT DOORS WERE OPEN EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SECURELY SHUT. WITHIN COUPLE DAYS FRONT DOORS WERE TOTALLY INOPERABLE. COULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT OF CAR. REQUIRED ENTRY FROM REAR SEAT. THEN UPON DRIVING TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT LIT UP AND RELEASED THE DOOR LATCHES SO THAT BOTH OF THE DOORS ATTEMPTED TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS CONDITION HAPPENED TWICE. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO DIRECTLY MIMIC MULTIPLE KNOWN ISSUES FOR FORD FLEX MODELS AND MANY OTHER FORD MODELS AROUND THIS SAME TIME. AT THIS TIME, 2015 FLEX MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED (DESPITE THE OBVIOUS EXACT SAME CONDITION). I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MY LOCAL DEALER, FULTON FORD IN FULTON, MO THAT IT WILL COST ME NEARLY $1000 TO REPAIR BOTH FRONT DOORS THAT FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. REPAIR IS TO TAKE PLACE ON 01/30/20 (WAS DIAGNOSED ON 01/29/20). THEY HAVE CHECKED AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MIGHT BE A WIDER FORD ISSUE BUT OUR CAR SIMPLY DOESN'T HAVE A CURRENT RECALL SO NOTHING THEY CAN DO. SEEMS TOTALLY OUT OF PLACE SINCE THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD DOOR LATCHES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .