NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
181 reports160,000 miles · Feb 12, 2019
Service BrakesTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DRIVER RESUMED DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DRIVER RESUMED DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO GARBER FORD (3380 US-17, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043, (904) 264-2442) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #11176494
74,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WHEN TURNED ON THIS WINTER. THE FAN BLOWS OK. THE FAN BELT IS OK. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11174391
60,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Power Train
TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES OR BELOW I SOMETIMES HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IN THE MORNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT I START THE VEHICLE, PUT IT INTO REVERSE, I BACK 40 FEET DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS ABOUT A 30 DEGREE GRADE DOWN TO THE STREET.. I STOP ON THE STREET, PUT IT INTO DR…
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TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES OR BELOW I SOMETIMES HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IN THE MORNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT I START THE VEHICLE, PUT IT INTO REVERSE, I BACK 40 FEET DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS ABOUT A 30 DEGREE GRADE DOWN TO THE STREET.. I STOP ON THE STREET, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND TURN TO THE RIGHT TO PROCEED FORWARD UP THE STREET WITH ABOUT 10 DEGREE GRADE FOR ABOUT 300 FEET, THEN THE STREET HAS ABOUT A 15 DEGREE GRADE FOR THE NEXT 200 FEET AFTER WHICH IT HAS A 5 DEGREE GRADE FOR 75 FEET AT WHICH POINT THERE IS A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY TWO LANE CROSS STREET THAT IS FAIRLY LEVEL AND HAS A 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I STOP UNTIL THE TRAFFIC GIVES ME A 100 TO 150 FEET MORE BREAK BETWEEN PASSING VEHICLES SO I CAN TURN RIGHT, MANY TIMES THE ENGINE REVS TO 4000 RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES VARY SLOWLY AT PICKING UP SPEED. I OFTEN TRAVEL 600 TO 100 FEET BEFORE I ATTAIN 25 MPH. THEN IT SHIFTS INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 3 YEARS AGO BUT THE FORD DEALER CHARGED TO TEST IT BUT FOUND NO PROBLEMS. FOUR MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT TO AAMCO WHO FOUND A PROBLEM AND REPAIRED IT, "THEY THOUGHT" REPLACING SOME PARTS. THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER THE "REPAIR". THE EXCUSE IS THAT THE CAR IS WARMED OR THE CONDITIONS CANNOT BE REPRODUCED. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT THEY CANNOT COME 8 MILES TO MY HOME IN THE MORNING TO REPRODUCE THE CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN DECLARED TO BE OK.
NHTSA ODI #11174390
133,333 miles · Jan 30, 2019
Electrical System
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR DASH LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS SECURE AND LOCKED. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WHEN AJAR LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND POWER LOCKS UNLOCK/LOCK AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AT NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF THE ENTIRE TIME WHEN YOUR DRIVING BLINDING YOU AS WELL AS I HAVE BEEN …
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PASSENGER DOOR AJAR DASH LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS SECURE AND LOCKED. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WHEN AJAR LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND POWER LOCKS UNLOCK/LOCK AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AT NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF THE ENTIRE TIME WHEN YOUR DRIVING BLINDING YOU AS WELL AS I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I STOLE THE CAR. WHILE PULLED OVER I WAS ASKED TO STEP OUT OF THE CAR AND WHEN I EXITED THE CAR IBECAME POSSESSED AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AND INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING AND FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE CAR ALARM CONSISTENTLY GOES OFF AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT CAUSING THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD IF YOUR NOT AROUND TO SHUT IT OFF. THIS IS ALSO ISSUE AS MY CAR CAN GET STOLEN AT ANY TIME IF THE FACTORY ALARM ISN'T WORKING OR I COULD GET CARJACKED BECAUSE THE DOORS WON'T STAY LOCKED.THIS ISSUE HAPPENS IN PARK, IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING AS WELL AS IT OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER REPORTS AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS IN THE 2009 FLEX AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #11173184
106,080 miles · Dec 17, 2018
EngineSteeringSuspension
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.
NHTSA ODI #11162024
160,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ BETWEEN 1/2 AND 1/4 TANK THEN IMMEDIATELY MAKE A *DING* AND THE DISPLAY READS 0 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY. IF YOU DRIVE ANYTHING FURTHER THAN A SHORT DISTANCE (10 MILES OR SO) THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS "OUT" OF FUEL. REFILLING THE TANK YOU WILL FIND THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS WHATEVER FUEL T…
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THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ BETWEEN 1/2 AND 1/4 TANK THEN IMMEDIATELY MAKE A *DING* AND THE DISPLAY READS 0 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY. IF YOU DRIVE ANYTHING FURTHER THAN A SHORT DISTANCE (10 MILES OR SO) THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS "OUT" OF FUEL. REFILLING THE TANK YOU WILL FIND THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS WHATEVER FUEL THE GAUGE WAS SHOWING BEFORE IT DROPPED TO ZERO. IT IS CONSISTENT, IT DOES THIS EVERY TANK. APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON.
NHTSA ODI #11157227
110,000 miles · Nov 25, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
IT KEEPS SAYING SENSOR WE HAD REPLACED TWICE IS STILL BAD. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ACCELERATE SOMETIMES
NHTSA ODI #11153628
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2018
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control
MY FORD FLEX 2009 TURNS ON THEN WHEN I GO POUT THE CAR ON REVERSE IT PULLS MY CAR AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND THEN I PUT IT TO DRIVE AND IT DOES THE SAME WHEN I GO TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT DOES NOT GO AT ALL. THE AC TURNS ON BUT IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STARTS TO TURN ON AND OFF THIS IS NOW . BUT A MONTH AGO IT W…
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MY FORD FLEX 2009 TURNS ON THEN WHEN I GO POUT THE CAR ON REVERSE IT PULLS MY CAR AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND THEN I PUT IT TO DRIVE AND IT DOES THE SAME WHEN I GO TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT DOES NOT GO AT ALL. THE AC TURNS ON BUT IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STARTS TO TURN ON AND OFF THIS IS NOW . BUT A MONTH AGO IT WAS DRIVABLE AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WOULD TURN IN AND OFF THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT TURNED ON THEN THE MILES O WAS GOING WHEN CLEAR NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD MARK AND THE CAR WAS STILL GOING BUT WOULDN'T WANNA GO FASTER AND IF I BREAK IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE.
NHTSA ODI #11151674
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11132720
65,000 miles · Aug 31, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CENTER CONSOLE FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BELL SOUND AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FLEX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CENTER CONSOLE FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BELL SOUND AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE SERIES OF FAILURES. HALL FORD (1310 NORTH ROAD ST, ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27909) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PERFORMED A SERIES OF UNKNOWN REPAIRS. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11123862