VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Ford Flex sits mid-pack among Flex years: 178 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 178, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 57 reports (32% of the total).

178

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

17

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted777 complaints2009: 271 complaints2010: 181 complaints2011: 178 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 777 complaints2014: 323 complaints2015: 119 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 53 complaints2018: 81 complaints2019: 279 complaints
Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering5732%
Engine3218%
Transmission1911%
Other127%
Electrical System116%
Brakes84%
Tires & Wheels84%
Seats74%
Fuel System63%
Body & Structure42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Airbags21%
Lighting21%
Speed Control21%
Suspension21%
Seat Belts11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 2011 Ford Flex have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V247000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 695 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

15V340000SteeringJune 2, 2015 · 393,623 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WENT OUT ON MY 2011 FORD FLEX. THE IS A RECALL ON FORD FLEX 2011-2013 BUT FORD KEEPS TELLING US IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY!!! WE HAD THIS REPLACED AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 22, 2020 · crash

“THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HOLDING HOOK IS SEVERLY RUSTED. PART WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 05/03/11. REPLACED PART IS SEVERLY RUSTED AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS 7500 MILES ONLY. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO A MINIMUM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD SINCE THE MUFLER COULD FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 3, 2011

“TRANSMISSION ON FLEX OFTEN HESITATES AND THUNKS WITH A LURCH. THE LURCH IS SO BAD IT NOW FEELS LIKE WE ARE BEING HIT. IT HAS HAPPENED IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. TRIED TO GET IT REPAIRED TWICE AT DEALER - HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX. ONLINE FORUMS WITH OWNERS AND SERVICE BULLETINS DESCRIBE SIMILAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2012

“WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 25MPH AND SUDDENLY EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. WHEEL COULDN'T BE CONTROLLED AND BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT. WE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL 2 PARKED CARS STOPPED US.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2016 · crash

“THERE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE GLOVE BOX LIKE MODULATOR GONE BAD NOT SURE WHAT IT IS BUT EVERY TIME I TURN THE AIR OR HEAT ON I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND ABOUT EIGHTEEN TIMES AND THAN IT STOPS. I I TURN THE AIR HEAT OFF I HEAR THE SOUND AGAIN FOR EIGHTEEN TIMES. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2019

2011 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford Flex reliable?

It is close to typical for the Flex: 178 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (57 complaints), engine (32 complaints), transmission (19 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Flex years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flex years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2019, 2009. The cleanest record among Flex years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.