2012 Ford Flex problems
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Flex. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 27% of complaints. Next are engine (12%) and electrical system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 89 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 67 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 67 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 60,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 60,000 miles (13 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the Ford Flex with enough data (50 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 ford flex. While driving 1 MPH, the vehicle accelerated backwards rapidly and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained minor injuries to the knees, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to richmond ford lincoln (4600 w broad st, richmond, va 23230) where the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford flex. The contact entered the front passenger's side door and her leg was severely punctured by a sharp corner on the seat bracket. The contact sustained a deep laceration. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who covered the pointed corner area of the seat bracket. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
We have a 2012 ford flex normally aspirated engine. Starting in august, we had an issue with our electronic throttle body which caused our car to shut down. We had the part replaced, shortly after a similar problem occurred. This was due to the dealership frying the computer. This was replaced, by the dealership, after calling ford directly. In february, the electronic throttle body failed again. Replaced under warranty. The same issue occurred last night and the vehicle will be taken back to the dealership.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions, including while the contact was driving. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included.