106 of the
2,511 complaints filed about the Ford Flex
are about the suspension —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
Wile driving 40 mph, the right rear tire locked up and I had to counter steer aggressively to avoid spinning out and hitting oncoming traffic. The car was flat bed delivered to Ford and they recommended the following repairs. "Control Arm- Rear: rear suspension lateral links. The rear upper and lower control arms not only provide suspension travel but also secure the rear end to the vehicle." "*Tires - 4: passenger rear inner sidewall damaged."
NHTSA complaint #11740622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notice of an unknown recall associated with the right rear toe link, that was previously repaired. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 5 MPH, she observed a loud snapping noise emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to steer the vehicle into the drive way the vehicle the vehicle began steering to the right. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it has yet to be diagnosed as of yet. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11737652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I got the vehicle and I have been told they are just sensors from multiple mechanics and that they don't mean anything. As it relates to the issues, the brakes, calipers, and wheel bearings have given out twice WHILE DRIVING without any sort of warning up until they seized! The strut on the front passenger side has broken for no known reason and the power steering system has been non stop eating power steering fluid with no leaks. Since I have gotten this vehicle, I have put OVER 7,000 dollars worth of work into it. This went to fixing the brake calipers, brakes, rotors, all the steering mechanisms (tie rods, sway bars, etc.) and wheel bearings twice, trying to figure out why coolant flew out of the vehicle for no known reason, trying to figure out where the power steering fluid is going, all to no avail. I have had multiple mechanics look at and check all the components of the vehicle, and they can't even figure out what is going on other than things just fail without warning non stop. There is something wrong with these vehicles, EVERY SINGLE OWNER OF A 2011 FORD FLEX THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS SAID THE SAME EXACT THING, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS I AM, AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY! THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND A CHECK FOR THE PRICE OF A PERFECT 2011 FORD FLEX GIVEN TO EVERY 2011 FORD FLEX OWNER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS AS THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL AS PASSENGERS IN THE FLEX AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE! A 2011 FOR FLEX IN PERFECT CONDITION IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY $15,000, FORD SHOULD BE SUED FOR THIS! My vehicle is available for inspection when necessary, thank you!
NHTSA complaint #11736911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a recall repair. The contact stated the dealer declined to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was unable to be started. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION). The vehicle was currently at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11721838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was eventually able to slow down to 5 MPH and regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven approximately four blocks to a safe location in a nearby parking lot. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the rear passenger's side wheel was turned outward, and the top of the wheel was turned inward. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like it was being driven on black ice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached rear toe link. The contact was informed that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that all four wheels needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,312.
NHTSA complaint #11717355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the rear driver’s side wheel turned independently at a 45-degree angle, and the rear end of the vehicle was pulled into the left lane, causing the vehicle to spin out twice. The contact stated that his wife was able to pull over to the right side of the road. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (SUSPENSION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.
NHTSA complaint #11704325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Left driver side rear suspension toe link broke on expressway, resulting in loss of control had to aggressively steer out of a spin. Car was undrivable and had to have towed and repaired, had passenger side rear suspension toe link go bad in December of 2024. Repair documentation available upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11691272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Without warning, the vehicle's power steering stopped working in an intersection while turning. The hazard lights came on automatically and I used my full body strength to steer the car out of the intersection. Inspection showed a computer module failure within the steering rack. Because the computer module is built into the steering rack, the whole steering rack needed to be replaced. This was a critical repair and cost over $3500.
NHTSA complaint #11685817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding multiple premature and potentially safety-related failures on my 2019 Ford Flex, purchased new on 11/25/2019. These include: ⚠️ 1. Rear Suspension / Rear Toe Link Concern Although my vehicle is not included in Ford’s rear toe link recall (20S62), it is experiencing the same symptoms: Rear-end instability and drifting Uneven or premature rear tire wear Clunking or loose feeling from the rear suspension I have an appointment scheduled for August 6, 2025 to inspect the rear toe bar links, as I suspect they are defective or misaligned — the exact condition the recall addresses. 💧 2. Water Pump Failure The engine water pump failed before 100,000 miles, requiring a full replacement. This is a known issue in several Ford engines, and repair was required out-of-pocket despite the vehicle being well maintained. 🚗 3. Exterior Trim Detachment Multiple exterior trim pieces detached from the vehicle while driving, posing a road hazard to myself and others. These parts did not appear to be securely fastened from the factory. 🛞 4. Premature Tire Wear Rear tires wore out far earlier than expected — possibly linked to suspension or alignment issues, including the toe link concerns mentioned above. ⚡ 5. Ongoing Electrical Failures Since August 2022, I have had to return to the dealership multiple times for electrical system issues: 8/3/2022 11/2/2022 2/14/2024 These included battery/electrical drain issues and warning system malfunctions, which affect the vehicle’s reliability and safety. These problems began less than 3 years after purchasing the car new. These issues raise serious concerns about the overall build quality and long-term safety of the 2019 Ford Flex. I am concerned that my vehicle may have: Been excluded from critical recalls, despite showing identical failure patterns Undergone multiple early mechanical and electrical repairs Developed safety-related defects that compromise both driver & public safety.
NHTSA complaint #11676254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match: My Flex falls well within the model years (2013-2018) covered by the recall, and the failed part is the exact component under scrutiny. 2. Failure occurred during normal driving conditions and almost caused an accident. 3. Ford's recall criteria appear overly narrow, possibly omitting vehicles that still contain defective parts, like my vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether the VIN range for this recall should be expanded to include additional vehicles like mine that have experienced identical part failures with potential life threatening safety concerns. I have uploaded invoices from my local dealership repair facility. One invoice is for the work to replace the failed right rear toe link and the other is for preemptive replacement of the left rear toe link that I chose to commission on my own.
NHTSA complaint #11672460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2014 Ford Flex. My axle shaft came undone while driving. My Ford flex was manufactured 07 of 13 my mechanic said that there's a recall for your front axle shaft on the passenger side and it falls within the guidelines of the affected vehicles but Ford says that it's not covered. My vin was never added to the recall and it’s the same exact issue that the others had for that year.
NHTSA complaint #11665698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is a recall 20s04. I was told my car is outside the building date. However, the toe bar snapped. What do I do to get my car entered into the recall, as this is the exact problem it was recalled for
NHTSA complaint #11624362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the road, heard a pop, fishtailed then rolled over 1.5 times into a ditch. A rear suspension part broke, indicated by groves made at the scene and camber of tire after accident. The rollover could have seriously injured myself or my passenger. The police report refers to a mechanical failure. No warning signs from the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11622568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was fishtailing, causing the contact to lose control of the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was causing the tires and brakes to wear out prematurely, and had caused the tires to cave in. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V393000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #11619063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds, the front end of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN. There was no assistance provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11612857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering locked up lower control arm snapped at the ball joint where it's connected to cv axel. Sent my car into the rails and nearly.killed me and my passenger.
NHTSA complaint #11594309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving around 55 and suddenly lost control and fish tailed to the right, then to the left over the center line, then back to the right. Luckily no other vehicles on the road. The rear driver side toe link broke. I discovered there's a recall for this exact problem with the exact possible worst case scenario that I went through. [FORD RECALL CODE: 2oSo4] This recall includes "2013-18 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Sept. 12, 2011, to June 1, 2017" My vehicle was manufactured at the same plant in 02/12 but for some reason is not qualified. I think my 2012 model needs to be included in this recall, obviously. I talked with Ford Dealer and Ford Customer Service and they said they would pass this info to NHTSA. I had both links replaced at a local mechanic and hope to get reimbursed in the future.
NHTSA complaint #11588893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling at highway speeds 75+ a loud bang and then control of vehicle was hard to keep on road, swerved left then right, left rear quarter panel hit guard rail and caused car to spin around and went sideways and backwards down a 30 ft embankment. Fortunately did not roll. left side tires came off of rims and damage to driver side door was done. Highway Patrol had car towed to holding lot, where I then got car towed to my mechanic. The left side Lateral stabilizer Rod had broken due to rusted part, causing left rear wheel to go out of alignment. The rubber boot on the rod was attached, rust was internal would never had known about a problem. Had both lateral rods replaced tires re-balanced and alignment done.
NHTSA complaint #11582315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly after the steering wheel jerked in the right direction. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a dividing wall on the side of the roadway. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with both control arms. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who was able to duplicate the failure but was unable to provide a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Safety Recall 15S18. The contact also stated that before the control arm failure, upon entering the vehicle and attempting to start the ignition, the vehicle failed to start as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact repaired the vehicle herself upon replacing the fuel pump control module. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Safety Recall 16S31. The manufacturer was notified of both failures but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #11575771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.