2011 Ford Flex: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 144 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (37% of complaints); the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Went to put car in reverse and it kept driving forward- no weird sound or anything. Proceeded to put the car in park and it was still moving forward. Transmission was stuck on drive.The shifter is disconnected from the transmission with no warning .Just looked and the transmission shifter bushing is disconnected. Also saw that this part is a recall on other ford vehicles. Had this been recalled on all vehicles with this part, I would have known to have it fixed. Luckily I was somewhere safe when this happened but it would have put myself as well as others in danger.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“I had changed all my bulbs and fuses to my car for my brake lights several times and they still don't work. My car almost got hit with me and my kids in it due to my break lights not working. Also my car keeps saying service advance trac and keeps saying it every time I drive. My car also keeps running out of power steering fluid every two week I have to add more to keep it from making that loud noise while driving.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Loss of power steering driving down interstate. Service power steering and service advance Trac lights came on. Had to call for tow”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2024
“When we turned car on a continuous dinging occurred and "power steering assist failure - notice came on - completely impossible to drive - husband drove it home it was extremely difficult - he's a very big and strong man - it is my main vehicle and I can't steer it at all - then on line found the recall info that matches the year our vehicle was made - our ford dealership is claiming there's issues - there should be no issue as it's a clear admit from ford re: our vehicle - please email or call me at [XXX] . Mahalo from Maui - [XXX] please help. Aloha INFORMATIONREDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated when he first entered the vehicle and started the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left and right and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact stated he contacted an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,827.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2023
“Power steering went out while backing out of a parking spot and warning popped up on dash with power steering fault and making the wheel super stiff and hard to turn”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2023
“The contact's grandmother owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rack and pinion, and power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2023
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality intermittently. The traction control warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2023
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The power steering sensor fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was due to the electrical pump. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Flex by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Ford Flex reliable?
NHTSA has 144 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Ford Flex. The most complained-about area is steering (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Flex problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Ford Flex have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.