BestCarRank
Ford

2011 Ford FLEX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Ford FLEX has 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: car shut off completely while driving. it has happened twice once on the highway and once on a residential street while making a left hand turn both times power steering was gone. took car to dealer and they cannot find anything because it did not leave a signature. the car has been in the dealershi. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 5 crash reports 11 injuries

178

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

57 complaints
32%
  • • CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI
  • • INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. FAILURES ON INITIAL VEHICLE START, TRACTION/STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE IS INDICATED. STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN DUE TO LACK OF POWER ASSIST. TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING W
  • • ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

32 complaints
18%
  • • CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI
  • • THERE IS A STRONG SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION, IT SMELLS SIMILAR TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST ODOR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ODOR BUT TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
  • • ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

19 complaints
11%
  • • MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT
  • • MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT THI
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, FUMES WOULD EMIT INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE VENTS CLOSED AND THE WINDOWS OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE C
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

14 complaints
8%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO PETROLEUM TAR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TESTED THE IN
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RACK THAT WAS MOUNTED ON THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE CONTACT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILU
  • • THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENT; THE PROBLEM RECURS SPONTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SUPER LATCH BELT LOOSENS SIGNIFICANTLY ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING CORRECTLY AND TIGHTLY INSTALLED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE INSTALLED REAR-FACING IN TWO DIFFERENT CARS. REINSTALLATI
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO PETROLEUM TAR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TESTED THE IN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints
5%
  • • ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOS
  • • WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY-NO RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER. AT 70MPH HAD TOTAL LOSS OF POWER (NO LIGHTS, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING) WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR RESTARTED AND HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND HAD THE C
  • • FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ELECTRICAL ON MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CALLED THE FRONT INTERFACE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN MISTREATED, ABUSED NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO MOISTURE OR LIQUIDS. I CAN'T USE OR ADJUST THE RADIO, SATELLITE, CD PLAYER, NOR THE HEAT AND AIR. HOWEVER, THE HEAT I
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“ON AUGUST 8, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2012, MY NEW FLEX SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF - TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE - HAD TO PAINFULLY PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. FORD DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 178 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN BOTH TIMES POWER STEERING WAS GONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DID NOT LEAVE A SIGNATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: MY VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I PULL AWAY FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE REVS WITH NO FORWARD MOVEMENT THEN THE TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDS. THE HESITATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON THE FORDFLEX.NET FORUM ABOUT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO PETROLEUM TAR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TESTED THE IN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ford FLEX — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2019
274Avoid This Year
2018
81Average
2017
53Average
2016
117Below Average
2015
115Below Average
2014
323Avoid This Year
2013
777Avoid This Year
2012
89Average
2011
178Below Average
2010
181Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
178
Recalls
0
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
11
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Ford FLEX

Compare With

2011 Acura MDX87 complaints2011 Acura RDX21 complaints2011 Acura TL23 complaints2011 Acura TSX52 complaints