2009 Ford FLEX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
181 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 150 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 181 complaints (19.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 26.5% |
| Steering behavior | 24 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 11.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 6.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
Engine: 36; Electrical System: 30; Power Train: 19; Steering: 17; Unknown Or Other: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 15; Service Brakes: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 25 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 25; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 10
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 11; 2010: 20; 2011: 14; 2012: 10; 2013: 13; 2014: 24; 2015: 18; 2016: 12; 2017: 11; 2018: 14; 2019: 17; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10263718 · 2009-03-31 (March 31, 2009)
WHILE ENTERING A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY FROM THE DRIVEWAY OF A DRUGSTORE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH OF MY 2009 FORD FLEX BEGAN FLASHING AND I COULD HEAR THE BUZZING OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 15 MILES AN HOUR AT THE TIME SO THERE WAS NO RISK OF THE VEHICLE GOING OUT OF CONTROL. THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES BY THE ESC/ABS PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING WHICH I BELIEVE CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. NO CRAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266603 · 2009-04-24 (April 24, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SURPRISED THAT A NEW VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF WARNING LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60.
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267405 · 2009-04-30 (April 30, 2009)
2009 FORD FLEX HOOD OUT OF ALIGNMENT, MIDDLE SEAT ARE ELECTRONIC AND WOULD FOLD DOWN. BUT WHEN TOOK TO DEALER THEY WORKED. HEADLINER IS HELD ON BY MAGNETS. THIS IS IN THE ONE THAT HAS THE SKY LIGHTS IN ALL THREE ROWS OF SEATS. FORD TOLD THE DEALER TO PUT VECRO TO HOLD IT UP. BY THE WAY THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR TWO DAYS. PICK IT UP DROVE HOME STILL SNAP, TOOK IT BACK, THEY CALLED AND SAID VECRO DID NOT HOLD EITHER. SO NOW I HAVE A RENTAL CAR. THIS CAR WAS A DEMO WITH 5,000 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE AND I PUT 200 ON AND DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE. OTHER…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10272896 · 2009-06-04 (June 4, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN HIS VEHICLE MAKES A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHEN CHANGING THE CONTROLS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER AMPLIFIER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275920 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WERE SET OFF AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER BACK AND HE WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL BENDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276362 · 2009-07-10 (July 10, 2009)
THIS IS A 2009 FLEX DEALER DEMO WITH 1450 MILES. IT HAS DIED TWICE WHILE DRIVING DURING A TEST DRIVE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE IN DRIVE, IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5 MPH. THE ENGINE, A/C, RADIO/ACCESSORY POWER, AND ALL LIGHTS SUDDENLY DIED. IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN TURNED TO "OFF", EXCEPT THAT THE RETAINED ACCESSORY POWER AND ALL DASH/WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL. THE CAR RE-STARTED EASILY ONCE PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS IN REVERSE, BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 3 MPH. THIS TIME THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED,…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279132 · 2009-08-03 (August 3, 2009)
2009 FORD FLEX. DRIVING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I NOTICED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CAR HAD SIMPLY DIED WHILE DRIVING. WAS ABLE TO STOP IT ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND RESTART IT. CONTINUED ON WITHOUT ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. LEARNED THROUGH A WEB FORUM THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED TO APPROXIMATELY 8 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282705 · 2009-09-02 (September 2, 2009)
2009 FORD FLEX. ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT CERTAINLY PRESENT IN NUMEROUS 2009 FORD FLEX VEHICLES. FOLLOW THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.FORDFLEX.NET/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=3&T=711 THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282705 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V247000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗