2011 Ford Flex problems
Owners have filed 178 complaints about the 2011 Ford Flex with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 32% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine at 14%.
Complaints178
Crashes8
Fires3
Injuries17
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Steering 32.0% · 57
Engine 14.0% · 25
Power train 10.7% · 19
Unknown or other 6.2% · 11
Electrical system 5.1% · 9
Service brakes 4.5% · 8
Engine and engine cooling 3.9% · 7
Seats 3.9% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 17 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Ford Flex in this data, 2011 draws comparatively few complaints; 2013 is the outlier year.
Filing volume has held steady, 21 in the last three years against 24 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Intermittent failure of electric power steering assist. This has occurred 3 times in a 6 month period. Failures on initial vehicle start, traction/stability control system failure is indicated. Steering wheel is very difficult to turn due to lack of power assist. Turning car off and restarting will clear failure indication. Reported to Ford dealer, Ford was not able to duplicate intermittent issue. Steering · reported at 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle lost power steering ability. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Steering · reported at 110,000 miles
Our 2011 Ford Flex has experienced a steering column failure. The vehicle suddenly lost steering, not power. But steering is impossible. After forcing it back and forth we were able to get it to go again. The dealer diagnosed it as the steering shaft binding up. I see there are many complaints about the steering in this vehicle. No recall is currently issued for this vin Steering · reported at 140,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…