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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

Structure complaints

12 reports
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66,000 miles · Feb 21, 2019
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

MY FORD FLEX 2009 WAS PARKED AT WORK WENT ON BREAK TO MY FORD FLEX OPEN DRIVERS DOOR CRAB WHAT I NEED CLOSED DOOR AND BACK REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUT INTO PEACE'S NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS INCIDENT WITH FORD

NHTSA ODI #11181614

80,000 miles · Mar 9, 2017
Power TrainStructure

CAR STARTED 2 YEARS AGO WITH "STUTTERING" WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, AS IF THE CAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHICH GEAR TO STAY IN. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND REFILLED IN APRIL 2016. PROBLEM WAS LESS BUT STILL REMAINED. ADDED DR SHUTTER IN JUNE 2016 TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND PROBLEM HAS WENT AWAY, THAT WAS LAST YEAR. PAINT …

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CAR STARTED 2 YEARS AGO WITH "STUTTERING" WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, AS IF THE CAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHICH GEAR TO STAY IN. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND REFILLED IN APRIL 2016. PROBLEM WAS LESS BUT STILL REMAINED. ADDED DR SHUTTER IN JUNE 2016 TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND PROBLEM HAS WENT AWAY, THAT WAS LAST YEAR. PAINT ON THE HOOD IS PEELING AND STARTED OUT AS A SMALL CHIP MAY 2016, AND IS NOW THE SIZE OF A 2 BASKETBALLS. BLACK BODY PIECES THAT ARE BETWEEN THE WINDOWS ON THE SIDE AND IN FRONT BY THE WINDSHIELD ARE LOOSE AND COMING OFF. WILL PROVIDE PHOTOS IF NEEDED

NHTSA ODI #10959714

75,000 miles · Dec 4, 2014
Structure

THE PAINT ON THE ROOF STARTING PEELING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I STILL HAD A WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME IT DIDNT COVER PAINT. IT STARTED WITH A SMALL SPOT BUT IT CONTINUED TO FLAKE AND IS NOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. THERE ARE NOW 3 SPOTS LIKE THIS ON THE ROOF. THIS IS THE 2TONE PAINT WITH A SILVER ROOF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662182

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2014
Structure

WATER DOES NOT DRAIN FROM THE COWL VENT DRAIN AREA, AND IF COWL AREA IS FULL, CLOGGED WATER WILL ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. SLOSHING WATER CAN BE HEARD BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL/FIRE WALL AREA. CANNOT CLEAN DRAINS IN THAT AREA. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE AND COMPONENT FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597531

23,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Service BrakesStructureSuspensionCrashInjury

I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD FLEX FROM MIKE DORIAN FORD THAT HAD 14000 MILES ON IT. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I TOOK IT TO A DEALER FOR A BAD GRINDING SOUND IN THE BRAKES. THEY PERFORMED A TSB ON THE FRONT BRAKES. I TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MORE TIMES FOR BRAKING ISSUES. THEN THE CAR CAME TO A GRINDING STOP IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIME AND I AL…

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I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD FLEX FROM MIKE DORIAN FORD THAT HAD 14000 MILES ON IT. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I TOOK IT TO A DEALER FOR A BAD GRINDING SOUND IN THE BRAKES. THEY PERFORMED A TSB ON THE FRONT BRAKES. I TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MORE TIMES FOR BRAKING ISSUES. THEN THE CAR CAME TO A GRINDING STOP IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIME AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE VIOLENT SHAKING AND THE INABILITY FOR IT TO GO WHEN I GAVE IT GAS. FINALLY AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME I WAS HIT AS THE TRANSMISSION BROUGHT THE CAR TO A HALT. I SUFFERED INJURIES AND THE CAR HAD $15000 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE PERSON WHO HIT ME SUED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS AND NEVER LOOKED AT THE BACK BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT BACK 6 TIMES FOR A LEAKING TRANSMISSION AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES THAT WERE NOT FIXED. THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO COME TO A STOP AFTER TRYING TO GO FROM A DEAD STOP. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK. MY WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE SHE FEELS WE WILL DIE IN THIS CAR. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I TALKED TO A FORD MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET FORD HAS NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT THE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL I AM GOING TO BE KILLED IN THIS CAR. AFTER $15000 OF DAMAGES I HAVE LOST ALL VALUE TO THE VEHICLE AND MY INSURANCE HAS BEEN RAISED. I LATER FOUND OUT THERE IS A TSB FOR THE TRANSMISSION YET FORD HAS NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566112

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureVisibility

THE FORD PANEL NEAR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW CONTINUES TO COME APART. AS FAR AS THE VEHICLE'S FUEL. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT A GAS STATION. I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND MY GAUGE WAS STILL ON EMPTY. SO I GOT WORRIED. THEN I WENT TO A DIFFERENT GAS PUMP AND PUT MORE GAS IN THERE. I STARTED MY CAR AND IT…

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THE FORD PANEL NEAR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW CONTINUES TO COME APART. AS FAR AS THE VEHICLE'S FUEL. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT A GAS STATION. I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND MY GAUGE WAS STILL ON EMPTY. SO I GOT WORRIED. THEN I WENT TO A DIFFERENT GAS PUMP AND PUT MORE GAS IN THERE. I STARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS STILL ON EMPTY. I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER MY GAS GAUGE WAS 3/4 FULL. THIS WAS IN NOVEMBER. THEN ABOUT 5 TIMES AFTER THAT. I WILL BE ON THE LAST MARK BEFORE EMPTY AND NOT ONLY DOES IT GO FROM 80-70 MILES TO E TO COMPLETE 0 MILES, BUT MY GAUGE GOES FROM THAT MARK TO PASS THE E. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND IT WENT FROM THAT SAME MARK ( THE MARK RIGHT BEFORE THE E) AND JUST RAN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TWICE AND THAT CAN'T FIND A CODE. THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEN BRING IT BACK IN. BUT THE INCONVENIENCE I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE TIME. IT HAPPENED TODAY FEB 10 2014 AND I RACED TO A GAS STATION. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN AND I'M DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE IS WRONG AND I STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I DON'T WANT TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE EITHER BECAUSE I HAVE A KID. I HAVE SEEN SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. SO I'M VERY CONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563797

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2013
Structure

OUR FLEX WAS PREVIOUSLY USED, BUT PURCHASED THROUGH A FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER OWNING IT FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, THE 2ND ROW GLASS ROOF CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. WE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WE WERE TOLD THE THERE WAS A RECALL ALREADY IN THE WORKS FOR THE FLEXS THAT HAD 2ND AND 3RD ROW GLASS CEILING PANELS. THE GLASS IS NOT CRACKE…

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OUR FLEX WAS PREVIOUSLY USED, BUT PURCHASED THROUGH A FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER OWNING IT FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, THE 2ND ROW GLASS ROOF CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. WE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WE WERE TOLD THE THERE WAS A RECALL ALREADY IN THE WORKS FOR THE FLEXS THAT HAD 2ND AND 3RD ROW GLASS CEILING PANELS. THE GLASS IS NOT CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OR ON THE OUTSIDE.....SO IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE 3 PANES OF GLASS. AFTER WAITING AND WAITING, WE HAVE NOW NOTICED THAT THE 3RD ROW HAS CRACKED AS WELL. NO ONE HAS SEEN OR HEARD IT HAPPEN, BUT BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR ARE STILL IN TACT, WE FEEL THAT THIS HAS TO BE A FLAW IN THE BODY SHAPE. AND NOW ALMOST 3 YEARS HAVE GONE BY, AND THE DEALERSHIP STILL SAYS THERE IS A RECALL COMING. CAN ANYONE HELP? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510002

55,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
SeatsStructureVisibility

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. IT WAS REPAIRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS FOR PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD SENSOR AS WELL AS THE MOLDING WAS NOT CORRECTLY PUT ON THE DOOR. NOW THE BENCH SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY APPARANT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.FORDFLEX.NET/FOR…

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. IT WAS REPAIRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS FOR PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD SENSOR AS WELL AS THE MOLDING WAS NOT CORRECTLY PUT ON THE DOOR. NOW THE BENCH SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY APPARANT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.FORDFLEX.NET/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=14&T=5363 THE CAR IS THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS 59K MILES ON IT BUT FOR A FAMILY WITH ONE CHILD, THIS MECHANISM SHOULD NOT BE DYSFUNCTIONAL. ITS NOT AS IF IT WAS GETTING A LOT WEAR AND TEAR FROM ACCESSING THE 3RD ROW SEATING AREA. IS FORD REVIEWING THESE COMPLAINTS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471668

24,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
SteeringStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN SOMETHING BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN AND WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN SOMETHING BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN AND WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED PER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 02/11/11 *BF THE TIE ROD WAS ALSO REPLACED. UPDATED 05/06/11

NHTSA ODI #10361156

8,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD A LEAKING VISTA ROOF AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE REPAIR AND THE ROOF CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #10316649

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.