About 5 miles from home with no warning.The car went from regular temp to hot then stopped.Water mixed with the oil.The tech said the water pump just failed.I did not have any problems with it running hot or anything.
2009 Ford Flex
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Flex do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 139.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Flex years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150 reports with mileage · 31 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
36 reportsMy Flex has repeatedly lost power while driving. I can feel the car lose power, and the yellow wrench light comes on. After reading up on it, I learned that you have to turn the vehicle off, wherever you are, and restart it after a few minutes. The wrench light turns off, and the car runs as normal, with no records of codes. Thi…
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My Flex has repeatedly lost power while driving. I can feel the car lose power, and the yellow wrench light comes on. After reading up on it, I learned that you have to turn the vehicle off, wherever you are, and restart it after a few minutes. The wrench light turns off, and the car runs as normal, with no records of codes. This is talked about over and over in online forums. The safety issue is that it has happened on the freeway several times while traveling at a high rate of speed. The car loses power, and you cannot accelerate. You have to find a way to stop immediately, put the car in park (and listen to the transmission clunk) and turn it off. This last instance put me in harms way on the freeway. The car lost power while traveling 70mph. I immediately lost speed and had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to pull over to turn the car off. All of the forums talk about the throttle body, but everyone says that’s not the issue. The OSS and TSS sensors are also discussed. The dealerships cannot find out what’s wrong because once the car is turned off and restarted, any codes are erased. The issue persists, and the car keeps losing power wherever and whenever. I am referencing the most recent incident on this form, however, this has happened at least 12 times since September, 2020. Please, please force a recall on this issue!
LAST NIGHT, I WENT TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WHILE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP UNCONTROLLABLY AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, IT KEPT MOVING IN REVERSE. I QUICKLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE REVVING CAME DOWN. SHUT DOWN THE CAR, RESTARTED IT AND THIS TIME, I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE SAME…
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LAST NIGHT, I WENT TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WHILE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP UNCONTROLLABLY AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, IT KEPT MOVING IN REVERSE. I QUICKLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE REVVING CAME DOWN. SHUT DOWN THE CAR, RESTARTED IT AND THIS TIME, I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ONLY TO START LUNGING FORWARD EVEN WHILE BRAKING. IF I WERE IN TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, I WOULD HAVE SURELY HIT THE PERSON(S) IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME. LATER MY WIFE EXPLAINED TO ME THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND SHE HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE SPEED, DUE TO REVVING, EVEN WHILE USING THE BRAKE. SHE MANAGED TO TAKE AN EXIT RAMP INTO A LARGE PARKING LOT USING EXTREME BRAKING (FORCEFUL) AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I WAITED UNTIL AFTER 8PM TO DRIVE WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO TRAFFIC TO DRIVE TO THE CLOSEST CAR REPAIR SHOP TO DROP IT OFF AND THERE HAPPENED TO BE A MECHANIC LEAVING AS I WAS PULLING UP. I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND HE MENTIONED THAT IT WAS A DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT GOT DIAGNOSED & REPAIRED. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF CARS IN MY LIFE AND EXPERIENCING UNCONTROLLABLE REVVING WHILST THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. LUCKILY WE KEPT OUR WITS AND WERE ABLE TO RECOVER. I ALSO SEE WHERE THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED ON THIS SITE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M THANKFUL NO ONE WAS INJURED LAST NIGHT, INCLUDING MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS THIS IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SAFFORD FORD LINCOLN OF SALISBURY LOCATED AT 1902 N SALISBURY BLVD, SALISBURY, MD 21801, (443) 210-4835, AND WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY CRADLE IS RUSTED THROUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND HAS A VISIBLE CRACK. I'M TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN AS WELL AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ONE CAN BE INJURED DUE TO THE ENGINE FALLING OUT TO NAME ONE. I'M TOLD BY A MECHANIC THIS IS A FACTORY DEFAULT.I AM VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE SOM…
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MY CRADLE IS RUSTED THROUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND HAS A VISIBLE CRACK. I'M TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN AS WELL AS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ONE CAN BE INJURED DUE TO THE ENGINE FALLING OUT TO NAME ONE. I'M TOLD BY A MECHANIC THIS IS A FACTORY DEFAULT.I AM VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, [XXX] 09/05/2020 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILE PER HR. THEN MY FORD FLEX STARTED TO STALL SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEAR BY REPAIR SHOP , THEY LOOKED OVER MY VEHICLE AND THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, THAT THE WATER PIMP HAD FAILED AND COOLANT ENTERED THE BLOCK, SO THERE FOR THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIR I…
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I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILE PER HR. THEN MY FORD FLEX STARTED TO STALL SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEAR BY REPAIR SHOP , THEY LOOKED OVER MY VEHICLE AND THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, THAT THE WATER PIMP HAD FAILED AND COOLANT ENTERED THE BLOCK, SO THERE FOR THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIR INVOICE 369486 02/28/2020
WHEN DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATE PAST 40MPH THE CAR SHUDDERS AND JERKS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. THE FORD DEALER TEST DROVE IT AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE WHAT I EXPERIENCE OFTEN.
THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS, AND JUST GETS TOO HOT. IF THE A/C IS RUNNING IT OVER HEATS JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. NOW THAT IT IS COOLER, THE HEATER IS ON AND IT OVER HEATS JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. I STOP THE CAR AND LET IT COOL DOWN BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE OPERATING LIKE THIS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS DESCRIBING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND…
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THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS, AND JUST GETS TOO HOT. IF THE A/C IS RUNNING IT OVER HEATS JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. NOW THAT IT IS COOLER, THE HEATER IS ON AND IT OVER HEATS JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. I STOP THE CAR AND LET IT COOL DOWN BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE OPERATING LIKE THIS. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS DESCRIBING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. NO REASON JUST SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT FOR THE CAR TO OVER HEAT.
2009 FORD FLEX PCM. WHILE ACCELERATING OFF RAMP ONTO INTERSTATE, MPH 70, THE FORD BEGIN TO SHANK VIOLENTLY THEN SUDDENLY STOPS.............. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC/INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 70 MPH. FLEX GOES TO SHOP AND 3 COILS ARE MELTED, CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND PCM NEEDS TO REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZ…
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2009 FORD FLEX PCM. WHILE ACCELERATING OFF RAMP ONTO INTERSTATE, MPH 70, THE FORD BEGIN TO SHANK VIOLENTLY THEN SUDDENLY STOPS.............. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC/INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 70 MPH. FLEX GOES TO SHOP AND 3 COILS ARE MELTED, CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND PCM NEEDS TO REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AS THERE ARE MANY MANY POST AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PCM. THE SAFETY OF THE FLEX AND IT'S PASSENGERS ARE IN GRAVE DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS IT IS OUT OF NO WHERE. 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE AT A SUDDEN STOP WILL KILL SOMEONE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS UNTIL AFTER THE FACT. THIS IS A FORD MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD AND ADDRESSED INSTEAD OF TSB'S BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL IS SERIOUSLY HURT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND STATED THAT THE STEERING U JOINT, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER (CAR NATION, 317 SOUTH PHILADELPHIA BLVD, ABERDEEN, MD 21001, (410) 995-8888) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE CONTACT PUT 1,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND STATED THAT THE STEERING U JOINT, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER (CAR NATION, 317 SOUTH PHILADELPHIA BLVD, ABERDEEN, MD 21001, (410) 995-8888) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE CONTACT PUT 1,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,080. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Official recalls
116V247000 · Air Bags:frontal
Apr 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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