VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2012 Ford Flex is among the quieter years of the Flex on NHTSA's books: 89 complaints (50% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (27% of the total).

89

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering2427%
Electrical System1213%
Engine1112%
Brakes89%
Fuel System78%
Other56%
Transmission44%
Body & Structure44%
Airbags33%
Speed Control33%
Suspension33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Lighting11%

Does the 2012 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.

“POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS; DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING, SOMETIMES UNEXPECTEDLY. VERY DANGEROUS! IT IS SPORADIC--SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, AND TURNING IT ON--POWER STEERING WILL NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. ONCE IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 8, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE ENCLOSED GARAGE ATTACHED TO HIS HOME, A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED FLAMES SURROUNDING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BETWEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE ENCLOSED GARAGE ATTACHED TO HIS HOME, A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED FLAMES SURROUNDING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BETWEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 1, 2012 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE ENGINE POWER: PRESSING DOWN THE THROTTLE HAD NO EFFECT. FIRST I THOUGHT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE ENGINE DID FUNCTION AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE, BUT ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ME BECAUSE IF IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 28, 2014

2012 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Flex reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 89 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Flex year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2012 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (24 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), engine (11 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.