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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.

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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.

7 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

16 reports
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160,000 miles · Jul 19, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. After parking inside the garage, there was fuel leaking from the seam of the fuel tank on the passenger’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Also, while attempting to s…

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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. After parking inside the garage, there was fuel leaking from the seam of the fuel tank on the passenger’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Also, while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal would extend to the floor and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact determined that the brake booster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11425398

45,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT MY LAST SERVICE AT MY DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACING WHILE MY FRONT BRAKES WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447921

39,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE AUXILIARY RELAY WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE AUXILIARY RELAY WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445083

20,000 miles · Dec 29, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE REAR BRAKES FUNCTIONED AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE REAR BRAKES FUNCTIONED AND THE THERMOSTAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE ADDITIONAL FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441660

25,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY FLEX NEW ON OCT 2009 AND IT HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD (WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME) AT 20MPH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE COAST T…

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I PURCHASED MY FLEX NEW ON OCT 2009 AND IT HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD (WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME) AT 20MPH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT WOULDN'T START. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY(WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME) AT 55MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING SO THEY DIDN'T ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. THE THIRD TIME WAS LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD(WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME) AT 20 MPH, ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THEY DIDN'T ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME ALL THREE TIMES. I'VE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO THEY DIDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF THIS WEEK FOR THE FOURTH TIME. ITS VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE IM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I FEEL ITS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ITS A TOTAL INCONVENIENCE TO HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DROP OFF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND NEED A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. LUCKILY WE WEREN'T INJURED BUT IM WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS AN INJURY COULD OCCUR. WHY HASN'T FORD LISTED THIS ISSUE IN THEIR TSB! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441503

23,126 miles · Oct 13, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENT NO START OF VEHICLE. TOWED TO DEALER AFTER 5 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. DELIVERED TO DEALERSHIP IN SAME NO START BEHAVIOR. UPON INITIAL ATTEMPT A RELAY WAS REPLACED AS THE PCM (MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER) WAS NOT RECEIVING POWER. SERVICE ADVISOR CALLS TO INDICATE VEHICLE IS READY AND STARTS UP AFTER REPAIR. AT THE DEAL…

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INTERMITTENT NO START OF VEHICLE. TOWED TO DEALER AFTER 5 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. DELIVERED TO DEALERSHIP IN SAME NO START BEHAVIOR. UPON INITIAL ATTEMPT A RELAY WAS REPLACED AS THE PCM (MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER) WAS NOT RECEIVING POWER. SERVICE ADVISOR CALLS TO INDICATE VEHICLE IS READY AND STARTS UP AFTER REPAIR. AT THE DEALERSHIP, PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, CAR STARTS UP, HOWEVER, DASH LIGHTS LIGHT UP, WARNING "CHECK AWD, CHECK THIS, CHECK THAT..." SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AS WELL (THE WRENCH). SHUT THE CAR DOWN, TRY TO RESTART, WILL NOT RESTART. TECH IS WITH ME AND OBSERVES BEHAVIOR AND TRIES AS WELL. NO START AGAIN. TECH ATTEMPTS TO DOWNLOAD ERROR CODES. MENTIONS RFI INTERFERENCE. WILL BE DOING ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC. PREVIOUSLY, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR STALLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65+). ENDED UP BEING A SOAKED PCM (MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER). THIS TOOK TWO TRIPS (TOWED BOTH TIMES). THIS IS NOW FOUR TIMES TO REPAIR THE SAME NON-RUNNING / NO START DEFECT. THE REAR BRAKES WERE ALSO REPAIRED DUE TO DRAGGING CALIPERS AS PER TSB 10-7-2. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430152

25,577 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

OUR FORD FLEX CAME TO A STOP, (ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF) FROM APPROX. 10 MPH, WITHOUT THE DRIVER, MY WIFE, APPLYING THE BRAKES, IN A MALL PARKING LOT. SHE SHUT IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. IT DROVE FINE. SINCE WE HAVE HAD BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE FLEX BEFORE, WE IMMEDIATLY TOOK THE FLEX TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THEY CO…

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OUR FORD FLEX CAME TO A STOP, (ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF) FROM APPROX. 10 MPH, WITHOUT THE DRIVER, MY WIFE, APPLYING THE BRAKES, IN A MALL PARKING LOT. SHE SHUT IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. IT DROVE FINE. SINCE WE HAVE HAD BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE FLEX BEFORE, WE IMMEDIATLY TOOK THE FLEX TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, EVEN DRIVING IT "20 MILES" AROUND TOWN TO REPLICATE ANY PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SAID THEY CONTACTED FORD FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS. WE PICKED THE CAR UP TWO DAYS LATER AND MY WIFE & DAUGHTER DROVE THE CAR 350 MILES TO VISIT RELATIVES. WHILE ON THIS TRIP, THE CAR STALLED, ENGINE QUIT, IN TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 15 MPH. THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE FLEX WITH FUEL. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WE HAVE HAD MANY BRAKE ISSUES AS WELL WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE REAR BRAKES SMOKE FROM SELF APPLICATION (THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ON), ENOUGH SMOKE THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE WAVED US DOWN ON THE ROAD THINKING THE FLEX'S BRAKES WERE ON FIRE. WE HAVE HAD THE REAR ROTORS AND CALIPERS REPLACED AT 15,300 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY) DO TO EXTREMELY QUICK WEAR. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE SMOKED AGAIN SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THESE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED IN THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STABLITY CONTROL SYSTEM. OF COURSE, THE DEALER, AND APPARENTLY FORD, SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKS ("NOTHING WRONG") AND IS RELUCTANT TO DOWNSHIFT (SAFETY FACTOR WHEN IN TRAFFIC), THE FRONT BRAKES ARE MAKING THAT GRINDING NOISE OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, AND TRIM PIECES FALL OFF THE CAR. THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT KIDS IN AND WE ARE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH OUR FLEX AND FEEL THIS "FAMILY CAR" IS UNSAFE. WE ARE CONSIDERING CALIFORNIA'S "LEMON LAW" IF FORD AND THEIR DEALERS DON'T ACKNOWLEDE THAT THE FORD FLEX HAS SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10409879

22,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ALL OF THE LIGHTS START FLICKERING AND A BURNING SMELL WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ALL OF THE LIGHTS START FLICKERING AND A BURNING SMELL WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER OVERFLOWED INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF, AS A RESULT THE BATTERY WAS OVER HEATING AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10402752

30,500 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 5 MPH BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 5 MPH BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY, NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,500.

NHTSA ODI #10384108

33,000 miles · Jan 8, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HAD GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT BRAKES, JUST LIKE A STONE HAD GOT JAMMED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY ONE TIME. HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE A PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND BRACKETS BUT I HAD TO PAY 139.00 FO…

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HAD GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT BRAKES, JUST LIKE A STONE HAD GOT JAMMED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY ONE TIME. HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE A PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND BRACKETS BUT I HAD TO PAY 139.00 FOR THE NEW PADS HAD APPROX. 33000K ON VEHICLE, THEY DID FIND A SERVICE NOTICE THIS LAST TIME. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10375229

Official recalls

1

16V247000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.