2011 Ford Flex Complaint Log

FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ELECTRICAL ON MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CALLED THE FRONT INTERFACE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN MISTREATED, ABUSED NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO MOISTURE OR LIQUIDS. I CAN'T USE OR ADJUST THE RADIO, SATELLITE, CD PLAYER, NOR THE HEAT AND AIR. HOWEVER, THE HEAT IS ON FULL BLAST AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP I VISITED ABOUT THE PROBLEM SAYS THEY CAN'T TURN THE HEAT OFF. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FRONT INTERFACE PROBLEM. THIS IS A $600-$700 PROBLEM THAT I DON'T FEEL IS THE CONSUMERS'. MY CAR IS NOT THAT OLD...IS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PART IS ON A MONTH BACK ORDER. IF THIS IS AN INFREQUENT PROBLEM, HOW COME IT TAKES SO LONG TO FIND THIS INTERFACE. JUST WANTING TO LET OTHER FORD DRIVERS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL. THIS IS MY FOURTH FORD VEHICLE AND I'M STARTING TO HAVE REGRETS. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THIS INTERFACE. *TR

10/15 EAPS FAILURE CAN'T STEER CAR NO FIX SEVERAL REPEAT PROBLEMS 4/15 COLD AIR WHEN USING HEATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FIXED BUT SINCE THEN WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING SEVERAL SERVICE CALLS NO FIX 4/15 OILK LEAK FOR AWD SYSTEM SEVERAL TRIES THEN SERVICE FINALLYT REPLACED COMPLETE AWD UNIT

UPON ACCELERATION, USUALLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP SUCH AS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR ON A GREEN LIGHT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE GEARS DO NO CATCH & THE CAR JERKS AND THE RPM'S RAISE BUT THE CAR STOPS ACCELERATING. WILL ALSO HAVE A "STUTTERING" OR "JERKING" WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH BREAK PEDAL BEING PRESSED DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL & THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO HAVE SUCH DESCRIBED MALFUNCTIONS BECAUSE IT IS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THE JERKING WHILE DRIVING ACTUALLY OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS BUT IS SPORADIC & CAN JERK YOU FORWARD DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION CAPABILITY, STARTLING AND PAINFUL BECAUSE THE SEATBELT MECHANISM HAS ENGAGED IN THE PAST.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE YESTERDAY, WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. BASED ON INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET, THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH OTHER FORD MODELS AND YEARS AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN WHERE NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THIS SIMILAR ISSUE WITH 2010-2011 FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SHOWS 3 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FLEX. *TR

BF GOODRICH ADVANTAGE T/A TIRES SIZE 23560R17. I HAD WEAR ON TIRES AFTER 18000 MILES. REPLACED TIRES WITH ANOTHER SET. AFTER ONLY 23000 MILES I HAVE WEAR ON TIRES AND THEY NEED REPLACING. THIS TIRE IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR OVER 36K MILES. THEY ARE SUBSTANDARD AND DEFECTIVE AND BE GOODRICH AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE 7 OUT OF 10 OWNERS COMPLAIN OF DEFECTS AND NOTHING IS DONE OF CHANGED.

TWO OUT OF FOUR OF OUR WINDOW UP/DOWN CONTROL BUTTONS ARE NOT WORKING. THE TWO THAT ARE NOT WORKING ARE ALSO THE TWO THAT ARE USED THE LEAST AMOUNT. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT JUST LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT COME BACK OUT, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT 623.00 TO REPLACE IT ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?? PAID 19,000 FOR THE CAR LESS THEN A YEAR AGO SO I TRY TO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SAYS IF I TRY TO FIX IT MYSELF THE AIRBAGS COULD BE SET OFF REALLY ?? I GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE ANNOYING DING DING DING EVERY 2 MINS WHILE DRIVING NO BIGGY THANKS FORD THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE SELTBELTS. *TR

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NO STOPPING. CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

DRIVING MY 2011 FORD FLEX A WARNING CAME ON FOR "SERVICE POWER STEERING" BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING AND THE INCIDENT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

AUTOMATIC/MOTORIZED REAR HATCH FAILED.....MOTOR OPENED HATCH TO FULL NORMAL EXTENSION AND THEN SLAMMED DOWN WITH NOTHING TO SLOW IT DOWN...NARROWLY MISSING MY 5 YEAR OLD CHILD. WAS TOLD SHOCKS FAILED AS WELL AS HATCH MOTOR.... SO NOTHING IN PLACE TO SLOW DOWN THE FALL. TYPICALLY IF MOTOR GOES OUT...SHOCKS ARE THERE TO SLOW IT DOWN. DEALERSHIP SURMISES THAT SHOCKS WERE PROBABLY ALREADY "OUT" AND THE MOTOR HAS BEEN CONTROLLING THE HATCH ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SHOCKS. "DON'T KNOW SHOCKS ARE BAD UNTIL MOTOR GOES OUT"..RESULTING IN NOTHING HOLDING IT UP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY INJURED MY CHILD IF I HADN'T REACTED SO QUICKLY. FORD CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS, BUT WOULD INVESTIGATE. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR "CERTIFIED" 2 MONTHS AGO. NOT SOMETHING THEY CHECK DURING CERTIFICATION PROCESS. *TR

POWER TAKE OFF ASSEMBLY FAILURE - AT ~59K MILES INTO MY 75K MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE BECAUSE OF AN OIL BURNING SMELL AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I RETURNED TO ADVISE OF THE SAME SMELL. THE SEAL WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. SUBSEQUENT HIGHWAY TRAVEL YIELDED ADDITIONAL BURNING OIL ODORS THAT I'VE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED UNTIL THE LAST VISIT ' ON 7/24/14 @ 58,195 MI. ON 10/9/14@ 59,472 MI. ON 04/22/15 @ 72,712 MI. ON 11/23/15 @84,974 MI. REFERENCES- HTTP://JONATHANLACKMAN.COM/BLOG/FORD-EDGE-PDU-PTO-TRANSFER-CASE-ISSUES-FLEX-500-MKX/ HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=375439&PAGE=13 HTTP://WWW.FORDEDGEFORUM.COM/TOPIC/10914-PTU-LEAK-FAILURES/PAGE-11 AT 84,974 THE OBVIOUS FLUID LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED AS PTO FLUID AS A RESULT OF THE PTO OVERHEATING. NOW THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD REFUSES TO WARRANTY REPAIR COVERAGE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT NOT IDENTIFIED BY THE FORD MECHANICS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF FAILURE WITH THIS PART ON FORD AWD VEHICLE MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED WITH MY VEHICLE BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1600 FOR THE REPAIR WHEN SERVICING THE COMPLAINT COULD HAVE PREVENTE D THE FAILURE AND NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. FORD HAS NOT PROACTIVELY DONE ANYTHING TO PREVENT FAILURE AND HIGH OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO ME OR OTHER CUSTOMERS. THERE IS NO RECOMMENDED SERVICE OTHER THAN REPLACEMENT OF THE FAILED UNIT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER UNITS AND FORD SHOULD RECOMMEND SERVICE INTERVALS TO AVOID FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF ALREADY FAILED UNITS AT THEIR EXPENSES SINCE THEY ADVISED OF NO SERVICE REQUIRED

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK 7-14-2014, ENTERED THE EXIT RAMP TO GRATIOT NORTH BOUND AND HAD TO STOP FOR A LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN I EASED OFF OF MY REAR BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THEM AND COULD TELL THAT THE BRAKES WERE SEIZING UP A LITTLE. SO THE NEXT DAY AND THERE AFTER I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. ON 7-20-2014 THE DID THE SAME THING BUT NOT AS BAD. MADE APPT. WITH FIRESTONE AUTO CARE ON 7-25-2014 TO HAVE A BRAKE INSPECTION DONE ALL FOUR TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR CALIPER PINS HAD CEASED UP ON THE REAR BRAKES NOT ALLOWING THE CALIPER TO OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOES TO BE REPLACED, BOTH ROTORS AND CALIPERS, BECAUSE BY KNOW IT WAS METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO WORK DONE TO THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE I WAS TOLD. I HAD THIS VIBRATING OR EASY SHAKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE FRONT WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP. I HAD THIS CHECKED BACK IN THE WINTER TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES BUT COULD NOT FIND NOTHING. NOT THAT THE BACK BRAKES ARE FIXED THE VIBRATION IS GONE. *TR

BENCH SEAT...SECOND ROW BEHIND PASSENGER SEAT. TO GAIN ACCESS TO THIRD ROW....HAVE TO HIT BUTTON AND SEAT AUTOMATICALLY FLIPS AND FOLDS FORWARD TO ALLOW YOU ACCESS TO THIRD ROW. THE SECOND ROW SEAT FLIPS FORWARD WITH SUCH FORCE IT ABSOLUTELY PRESENTS A HAZARD TO EITHER A CHILD AND EVEN AN ADULT THAT GETS IN THE WAY. ALSO...SUNROOF MODEL AND SUN SHADES THAT BLOCK OUT THE SUN IN SECOND AND THIRD ROW GO BACK WITH SUCH A FORCE....LITTLE FINGERS COULD GET SLAMMED IN THAT. NOTHING TO BUFFER IT. REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW CRUDE THE INTERIOR MECHANICS ARE...MAKING THEM DANGEROUS. *TR

PERSISTENT BRAKE SQUEALING EVEN THOUGH BRAKES WERE REGULARLY SERVICED. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED BOTH FRONT CALIPERS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS FOR SAFETY REASONS, PARTS AND LABOR TOTALED OVER $1000. NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF A CALIPER FAILING ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. SQUEALING HAS BEEN RESOLVED SINCE THIS REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS SUDDEN REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH TURBO BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND ONE OF THE TURBO BOOSTER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,260.

CPSC: I1380138A. 2011 FORD FLEX. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHEMICALS USED TO MELT ICE AND SNOW CAUSES BRAKES ROTORS TO ROT. STATED AT 23,000 MILES HIS REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO AT 32,000 MILES ALL THE ROTORS WERE ROTTEN AGAIN. *LN

THE CAR HAS A TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY STATE THAT IT'S THE 'FILTER' BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY RESOLVED AND IS ON-GOING. THE CAR HAS OTHER MINOR DEFECTS WITH THE WINDOW OPERATION (LOUD SQUEALING AS IF THE WINDOW IS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING) AND THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR COULD BE TOXIC AND UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN. HOW CAN I GET THE DEALER TO TEST THE AIR QUALITY AND QUIT REPLACING THE FILTER AS A TEMPORARY ATTEMPT TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE DRIVER'S SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CASE SURROUNDING THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE MELTING DUE TO THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 8/23/13 *CN UPDATED 09/13/2013 *JS

I PURCHASED A 2011 FORD FLEX NEW. AT 24000 MILES MY TIRES WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER HAD ME PAY HALF PRICE. AT 48 K THE NEW TIRES ARE AGAIN BAD AND NEED REPLACING. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF FORD FLEX OWNERS WITH SUBSTANDARD TIRES. FORD MUST BE AWARE OF THIS WHEN 7 OUT 10 PEOPLE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. OWNERS SHOULD BE GIVEN NEW TIRES OF A DIFFERENT MAKE AT FORDS EXPENSE. MY CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A TIRE REPAIR SHOP TIRE KINGDOM WHO EXPLAINED THE TIRES FORD PROVIDES FOR THE FLEX ARE NOT INTENDED FOR A VEHICLE OF THAT MAKE AND WEIGHT GVW.

IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 2012 SEPT, WHEN I BOUGHT IT AT 4000KM. I WAS ABOUT TO START FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I LET GO MY BRAKE AND 'SLIGHTLY' ONTO GAS. "NOTHING AT ALL HAPPENED." I PUSH A BIT HARDER AND IT CRANK INTO ANOTHER GEAR AS I FELT LIKE 'GALLOPING'. I BROUGHT IT TO THE BODY SHOP I KNEW (8 PM) AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO DEALERS FOR TRANSMITTION CHECK UP. DID SO, IN 3 DAYS - 'NO CODE' NO PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2012; TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH TRAFFIC ON 401 HIGHWAY - MARCH 2013, MOVING SLOWLY IN SCITY STREET - JUNE AND OCT 2013; FROM STOP - APRIL 2014, JUNE 2015 AND ABOUT TO STOP BEFORE TRAFFICE LIGHT - MAY 2016. I BROUGHT IT INTO 2 DIFFERENT DELEARS, 3 PRIVATE BODYSHOPS. DEALERS FOUND NOTHING - 'NO CODE'; PRIVATE BODY SHOP - WATER/ AIR TRAPPED IN GAS/ FUEL LINE; BAD TRANSMISSION ETC. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SEVICES - TOLD TO CONTACT LOCAL DELEARS, RECORD ON FILE. NO SOLUTION STILL. THIS IS FORD!!!! ONCE GET THE CHANCE - GO ANYTHING OTHER THAN FORD!!

FROM A STOP, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, BANGED INTO 1ST (OR 2ND GEAR), DID IT AGAIN AROUND 50 MPH, FELT LIKE THE TRANNY SLIPPED AND THEN BANGED INTO GEAR. THE BANGING INTO GEAR IS A VIOLENT LURCH. TOOK IT TO FORD TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE (EVEN THOUGH I HAD PRIOR TSB'S ON SAME TRANNY ISSUES IN 01/2011 BUILD CARS). STARTED IN 2012, WAS INTERMITTENT UNTIL RECENTLY AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST MONTH. *TR

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 PROBLEM. FORD NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ISSUE OR HELPING. *TR

THERE WERE TWO OCCURRENCES. ON 7/5/12, THE FLEX WAS PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING, WE RAISED THE REAR DOOR/TAILGATE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE FLEX. ONE OF MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS STOOD NEAR THE BACK BUMPER AREA AND RECEIVED A BURN TO HER LEG FROM ONE OF THE EXHAUST PIPES CREATING A C SHAPE IMPRINT OF THE TAILPIPE OPENING. THIS WAS WITNESSED BY A HOTEL EMPLOYEE. THE ADULT LEANED IN TO THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES, BUT DID NOT BURN. ON 7/6/12, THE FLEX WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. AGAIN, THE BACK DOOR/TAILGATE WAS RAISED AND WE WERE GETTING ITEMS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GETTING READY FOR OUR EVENT. EVEN AFTER WARNING (OF THE TAILPIPE), THE SAME 4 YEAR OLD MANAGED TO RECEIVE ANOTHER BURN TO THE SAME LEG FROM THE EXHAUST/TAIL PIPE. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY-NO RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER. AT 70MPH HAD TOTAL LOSS OF POWER (NO LIGHTS, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING) WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR RESTARTED AND HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND HAD THE CAR SERVICED AFTER WE RETURNED HOME FROM VACATION. I ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN DURING MY FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR ABOUT OCT, 20 WHEN I LOST TOTAL POWER AGAIN, BUT AT A MUCH LOWER SPEED (30MPH) I ALSO CALLED FORD AND HAD MY CAR SERVICED AFTER THIS. *TR

OUR 2011 FORD FLEX WE BOUGHT "NEW" IN OCTOBER OF 2010. IT HAS ALL THE BELLS & WHISTLES & HAD A STICKER PRICE OF ALMOST $51,000 DOLLARS! THIS CAR DOESN'T LIKE TO GET WET! IT STALLS IN THE SNOW, RAIN, CAR WASH & EVEN PUDDLES! IT JUST "SHUTS DOWN" IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.....IT WILL "PUTT PUTT" & ALMOST STALL ON HIGHWAYS. WE CAME SOOO CLOSE TO GETTING KILLED! UGH....WE HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN TO (METRO FORD IN RAYNHAM) AT LEAST "4" TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO & IT WAS THERE FOR "4 WEEKS"! THEN THIS WAS IT.........WE HAD TO TAKE OUR 19 YR OLD DAUGHTER TO THE ER LAST THURS. SHE FAINTED & HIT HER HEAD HARD! THIS CAR STALLED ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL!! WE ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT THERE!! THIS CAR IS A LEMON!!! WE WANT THIS CAR REPLACED!!! *TR

ON 2100 HRS 21 NOV 2015, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A DEER STRIKE ACCIDENT ON HWY 36 VICINITY HAMILTON, MISSOURI. SHE WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE HIGHWAY 36 AT 55-60 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN INTO THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS FROM CENTER LINE OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES UPON SEEING THE DEER BUT THE STRIKE AND APPLICATION OF BRAKES WERE PRETTY MUCH SIMULTANEOUS. SHE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND COULDN'T EXIT THE DRIVER'S DOOR BECAUSE THE FRONT FENDER OVERLAPPING THE DOOR DUE TO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT WHICH PROBABLY SAVED HER FROM ANY MAJOR INJURIES. BASED UPON THE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THE FRAME AND INTERNAL BUMPER ARE EXPOSED APPROXIMATELY A FOOT BEYOND THE BODY WHICH HAS BEEN CRUSHED BACK. IN MY OPINION IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH FRONTAL FORCE WHICH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG. I THEREFORE FEEL THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ONE OF HER CHILDREN ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE BUTTON TO AUTOMATICALLY FOLD DOWN THE THIRD ROW PASSENGER SEAT. WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDING DOWN, ANOTHER CHILD'S LEG GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CHILD SUFFERED BRUISES AND CARPET BURNS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN THAT THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FOLD DOWN FORCEFULLY WHEN THE CHILD WAS STUCK. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO FREE THE CHILD ONCE THE CHILD'S LEG WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,439. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THERE IS A STRONG SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION, IT SMELLS SIMILAR TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST ODOR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ODOR BUT TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TO NO AVAIL, AS WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, I TURNED THE KEY OFF, THEN BACK ON AGAIN - THIS DESTROYED THE DATA. SEEMS LIKE A FUNDAMENTAL DATA SYSTEM FLAW. NONETHELESS, I DROVE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN FEAR, ONLY TO HAVE THE INCIDENT RECUR SIX MONTHS LATER. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH A DATA FLIGHT RECORDER FOR A MERE TEN DAYS, THE BUTTON OF WHICH I MUST PUSH, IF AND WHEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AGAIN. WITHOUT RECORDED DATA, THOUGH FORD BELIEVES MY REPORT, I SEEM TO HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH FORD. I NOW AM DRIVING IN FEAR FOR MY OWN AND OTHERS' LIVES. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RACK THAT WAS MOUNTED ON THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE CONTACT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, FUMES WOULD EMIT INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE VENTS CLOSED AND THE WINDOWS OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT WOULD EXPERIENCE NAUSEA AND BURNING OF THE EYES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE DETERMINING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FILLER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE O-RING WAS TOO BIG FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

LUNGING AND STALLING AT START UP AND WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO PETROLEUM TAR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TESTED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER AND THE LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE INCREASED WHILE ACCELERATING. A TEST WAS ALSO PERFORMED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CARBON MONOXIDE READER AND THE LEVEL INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

HANKOOK OPTIMA 19" TIRE SIDEWALL FOR FORD FLEX. I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW 2011 FORD FLEX ON 5/5/11 WITH 19" HANKOOK OPTIMA TIRES. 2 DAYS AGO, MY SIDEWALL BUSTED AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH RAISED, BUT THAT I HAVE DRIVEN OVER HUNDREDS OF TIMES WITH MY INFINITY FX35 TIRES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THE BRAND NEW SIDEWALL SHOULD BUST IF YOU GO OVER A BUMP WRONG. *TR

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. *TR

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 DRIVING DUE TO EXECIVE RUST OF THE SUPPORTS. *TR

MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT THIS, FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HELP ME RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL, AND HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS FORD HAS LOOKED, BUT NOT FOUND ANY PROBLEM OR SOLUTION. *TR

THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENT; THE PROBLEM RECURS SPONTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SUPER LATCH BELT LOOSENS SIGNIFICANTLY ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING CORRECTLY AND TIGHTLY INSTALLED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE INSTALLED REAR-FACING IN TWO DIFFERENT CARS. REINSTALLATION DID NOT HELP, SO THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO GET A NEW LATCH BELT. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW LATCH BELT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SEAT DOES NOT INSTALL WELL WITH A SEAT BELT BECAUSE OUR CARS HAVE STEMS ON THE FEMALE PART OF THE BELTS, CAUSING IT TO INTERFERE WITH THE BELT PATH ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT. THIS CHILD RESTRAINT IS THEREFORE UNUSABLE FOR US. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2011, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=FLEX). *TR

ENGINE HAD MASSIVE TOP ENGINE DETONATION (BACKFIRE) WITH ONLY 7500 MILES ON NEW CAR. EVER SINCE THIS EVENT THE CAR SHUDDERS, STAMMERS, SHAKES AND DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. THE PROBLEM VARIES IN DAILY SEVERITY AND IS ALWAYS WORSE IN WET, HEAVY MOISTURE PERIODS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FIVE (5) DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ALL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES INDICATING A PROBLEM. ONE OF THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO FIX THE CAR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A FAILURE TO DOWNSHIFT. THEY LATER REPLACED THREE DIFFERENT SENSORS ON THIS ECOBOOST ENGINE (THEY SAID THERE ARE 33 DIFFERENT SENSORS) AND THIS ACTUALLY GAVE TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THIS WAS ALSO IN THE VERY DRY DALLAS SUMMER. AS SOON AS I DROVE BACK ACROSS ARKANSAS TO TENNESSEE THE CAR WAS AS BAD AS BEFORE. THIS CAR ACTUALLY GETS 14.2 MILES PER GALLON COMBINED DRIVING AND IT WAS RATED AT 18MPG (16CITY AND 21HIGHWAY). THE CAR AVERAGED 18.6MPG FOR THE 7500 MILES PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER THREE YEARS BUT I HAVE LEARNED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR IN THE RAIN. THERE ARE OTHER FAMILY CARS THAT I CAN DRIVE OR I WOULD HAVE PULLED MY HAIR OUT. THIS PROBLEM WAS ELEVATED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (4 OR 5 DIFFERENT TIMES) AND THEY NEVER TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM OR THE PROCESS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A FIREWALL ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE FORD TECHNICAL GROUP AND FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. SEVERAL SERVICE PEOPLE COMPLAINED THAT THEY COULD NOT CONTACT FORD TECHNICAL PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND THAT IT REQUIRED A FAILURE CODE ENTRY INTO THE SERVICE SYSTEM WITHOUT SOLUTION TO FACILITATE CONTACT WITH TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS. NO CODE NO PROBLEM! I SURE AM GLAD THEY HAVE A CODE FOR EVERY SITUATION! *JS

MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT THIS, FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HELP ME RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

A FRIEND OF MINE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 FORD FLEX. UPON BRINGING IT HOME WE DECIDED TO LET MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE TO "CHECK IT OUT" AS MY OLDER SON WOULD SAY. WHEN MY YOUNGEST SON, 18 MONTHS AT THE TIME ENTERED THE SECOND ROW OF THE CAR, HE WENT TO REACH FOR THE SEAT BELT( TRYING TO BE COOL LIKE HIS BROTHER WHO WAS ALREADY BUCKLED AND ON A PRETEND ROAD TRIP)AND ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED AGAINST AN AUTOMATIC SEAT FOLD BUTTON WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BACK TO FLIP DOWN HITTING HIM IN THE FACE, KNOCKING HIM INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR WHERE THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FOLD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES BEFORE MY FRIEND DECIDED TO DISCONNECT THE SWITCH HIMSELF. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES, ONLY A BITTEN TONGUE, A RED MARK ON HIS FOREHEAD AND AFTER THE SECOND TIME( WHICH WAS NOT AS FORCEFUL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SEATING FOLDING ONTO HIM THE FIRST TIME HAD WEEKEND THE MOTOR A BIT) HOWEVER NOW HE DOES HAVE A SLIGHT FEAR OF GETTING INTO THE CAR. I THINK THE AUTOMATIC SEAT FEATURE IS NOT WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE BUTTON ITSELF WHICH IS RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE 2ND ROW SEAT WHERE IT IS EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY PUSH IT, EASY ENOUGH FOR MY 5 YEAR OLD TO REACH WHILE SEATED AND BELTED IN(THE BUTTON CAN BE ACTIVATED WITH DOOR OPEN OR SHUT) IF THEY CAN'T CHANGE THE PLACEMENT OF THE BUTTON THEY SHOULD AT LEAST BE OUTFITTED WITH SOME TYPE OF FLIP COVER YOU HAVE TO OPEN BEFORE THE BUTTON CAN BE PUSHED PREVENTING THINGS LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING. *TR

CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. *TR