Ford · Flex · 2011
2
Recalls
142
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2011 Ford Flex has 2 recalls and 142 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: steering (49 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
The 2011 Ford Flex page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is steering with 49 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Remedy Status
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
I had changed all my bulbs and fuses to my car for my brake lights several times and they still don’t work. My car almost got hit with me and my kids in it due to my break lights not working. Also my car keeps saying service advance trac and keeps saying it every time I drive. My...
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My brakes locked up suddenly on the rear end causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road and unable to move it, even to tow it. I had to take 2 days almost to fix it in the middle of the road, since yesterday morning. They also began locking up suddenly on the front end, th...
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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electr...
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Electric Power Steering lights up and steering wheel locks up, can hardly make it move at it. We turn the car off and turn it back on. Sometimes the power steering returns, sometimes it doesn't and we can't drive the car. We called the dealer after this happened and they said it...
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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service power steering warning light was illu...
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Loss of power steering driving down interstate. Service power steering and service advance Trac lights came on. Had to call for tow
When we turned car on a continuous dinging occurred and “power steering assist failure - notice came on - completely impossible to drive - husband drove it home it was extremely difficult - he’s a very big and strong man - it is my main vehicle and I can’t steer it at all - then...
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Gas tank is leaking gas while parked and running
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated when he first entered the vehicle and started the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left and right and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. T...
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While on a trip in the local area to a state park, a warning came on whilst driving to "service power steering now". Driving was normal and we got to our destination 5-10 miles or so later. On returning to the car after parking and starting up the car the steering wheel was "br...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 142 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2011 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2011 Ford Flex has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 142 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Ford Flex.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2011 Ford Flex.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Ford Flex are steering (49 reports), engine (16 reports), power train (13 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2011 Ford Flex. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.