On February 26, 2026, I purchased a used 2009 Ford Flex VIN from Header’s Auto Sales. At time of delivery, the vehicle was equipped with tires that did not meet the manufacturer’s required load rating for this vehicle. A licensed mechanic provided a safety assessment confirming the tires were improperly load-rated and unsafe to carry the vehicle load. We were not informed of this issue at sale. To make the vehicle safe to drive, I replaced all 4 tires at my cost. Improper load-rated tires can result in tire failure, loss of vehicle control, and crash. Dealer sold vehicle "as-is" without disclosure of this safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11750984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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, the wheel bearing, CV Joint, Tie Rods, CV Axles, CV Boots, and sway bars began failing out of nowhere as well. The brakes may or may not be able to be replicated, as they are partially fixed and yes my entire front end can be replicated. The danger is my brakes locked up as I was driving, in the middle of the road at that. I have not been able to get the front end fixed as it is expensive, however the danger of this is the tires falling off or the front end failing all together. ALL of the other people who drive these that I have talked to and met have had the same problem and yes they are factory parts! Even the people who have only 30 to 60000 miles on their 2011 Ford Flex Titaniums have these issues! Not only this but also the sensors go bad almost immediately off the lot, which can cause the car to brake without warning, stop running out of nowhere, make the power steering module fail, make your vehicle stutter because ALL of the sensors are bad. These vehicles need to be recalled and fixed, or recalled and replaced with better vehicles (from $60,000 up to $95,000) with any mileage any year. Please recall these and please help! I just got mine, this isn't right!
NHTSA complaint #11694344 — 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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear wheel was corroded and leaking air. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wheel needed to be replaced. The wheel was not replaced, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11595751 — 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.
UNKNOWN I was on the highway during dry conditions, and very suddenly fishtailed and swerved into another lane. Caused an accident. Could have been much worse. Rear driver's side wheel is not facing forward - tow driver says looks like a broken toe link. Insurance company has possession of the vehicle and will likely total the car, with no inspection by a repair shop.
NHTSA complaint #11507734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BILL KNIGHT FORD (9607 S. MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TOE LINK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 351,000.
NHTSA complaint #11404647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING ARM BROKE OFF OF MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR SNAPPED FORWARD AND THE TIRE WAS LODGED IN THE FRAME. I COULD NOT MOVE MY CAR. MY CAR HAS 59,000 MILES. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME.
NHTSA complaint #11359830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FORD FLEX IS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 9,500 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 5 TIMES AND EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE TIRES HAS BEEN RULED OUT. AFTER VISITING A WEB SITE I FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES CAUSING EVERYTHING FROM VIBRATION TO BLOWOUTS. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A RENTAL WHILE MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP THAT HAS THE SAME TIRES. IT HAS THE SAME VIBRATION. THE EVENT GENERALLY BEGINS AT ABOUT 60 TO 65 MPH HOWEVER THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN NOTICED AS LOW AS 40 MPH. WHEN IT STARTS AT A LOW SPEED IT TURNS INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING THAT SCARES THE HECK OUT OF ME ENOUGH THAT I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT UNTILL MY NERVES SETTLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. TODAY IS FEBRUARY 14 2020. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE ABOUT OCTOBER 25 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11309236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AIRPORT MARINA FORD (310-574-2641, LOCATED AT 6701 CENTER DR W, STE 925, LOS ANGELES, CA 90045) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT MOUNT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE PART. ALSO, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #11253487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA WE HAVE HAD THE FLEX IN % TIMES TO HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED FORD SAID THAT IT IS IN THEIR SPECIFICATION BUT THE WE CAN FEEL THE UNBALANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK TO INDEPENDENT DEALER AND HE SAID ONE OF THE RIM WAS OUT OF BALANCE AND THE TIRES WERE OFF BALANCE TOO WE ARE AFRAID THIS GOING CAUSE PROBLEMS LATER WHY DO WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH 5 TIMES TO REDONE IT NOT A COMFORTABLE FEELING
NHTSA complaint #11196143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND MULTIPOINT INSPECTION ON 10-2-2018, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT I NEEDED NEW TIRES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. MY ODOMETER READ 24,963. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DUE TO A BLOW OUT. ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT, TIRE TREAD DEPTH FOR THE 3 TIRES NOT REPLACED IS INDICATED AS "ATTENTION REQUIRED" 3/32" AND LESS". I PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2017 WITH APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES INDICATED ON THE ODOMETER. THE ADVISOR AT THE FORD SERVICE CENTER WAS VERY SURPRISED AND PUZZLED. SHE CHECKED TO SEE IF THE TIRES HAD A RECALL NOTICE, BUT THEY DID NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11133374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2014 FORD FLEX SEL IS A LEASED VEHICLE WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND THE TIRES ROTATED TODAY. THE FRONT TWO TIRES, WHICH ARE NOW ON THE BACK HAVE CHUNKS OF RUBBER FALLING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES ARE IN "THE RED". I AM SUPPOSED TO TURN THIS CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY OF 2017. I AM GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I LEASED THE CAR FROM TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP ME, AS TIRES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 14,000 MILES WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10910611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO WEAR OUT BRAND NEW TIRES EVERY 5 TO 10K MILES. I HAVE KEPT UP ON ALIGNMENT, TIRE ROTATING AND TERMS THIS PROBLEM CONTINUE. I HAVE READ A GREAT DEAL OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE MANAGER OR EMPLOYEE AT THE TIRE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD FLEX. HE SAYS THAT HE GETS QUITE A NUMBER OF THEM COMING IN WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10806611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT THE REAR END SLIDES AS IF DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW.IT REALLY SWAYS WHILE BRAKING. KNOW INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON TO SUGGEST SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. I HAD THIS SCARY PROBLEM CHECK OUT BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS. THEY FELT THE WOBBLY SENSATION WHEN DRIVING 40 MILES HR. THEY ONLY NOTED A COMBINATION OF MINOR CONDITIONS LIKE TIRE THREADS,OIL LEAK FROM A SHOCK AND A SMALL ROD THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE LEFT BACK TIRE THAT HAD A LITTLE MOVEMENT.. THESE ISSUES HOWEVER SHOULDN'T CAUSE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SLIPPERY EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS.
NHTSA complaint #10779435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, WHILE JACKING UP THE CAR IT BECAME DIFFICULT. I STOPPED, AND LOWERD THE CAR. THEN EXAMINED THE JACK AND FOUND THAT THE THREADED NUT THAT THE UP AND DOWN ADJUSTING ROD THREADS THRU WAS CRACKED OPEN.THIS NUT LOOKS TO BE OF SOME TYPE OF POT METAL, UNLIKE THE REST OF JACK WICH IS STEEL. I TALKED TO FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY SAID THE MOST THEY MIGHT DO IS REPLACE THE JACK. THAT JACK IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I WANT A SAFE JACK .
NHTSA complaint #10761321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THERE WAS A SUDDEN METAL ON METAL SOUND. SHORTLY AFTER THIS NOISE STARTED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND THEN VISIBLE SMOKE FROM THE WHEEL. I PULLED OVER TO EVALUATE THE NOISE AND SMOKE. THE RADIANT HEAT FROM THE WHEEL CAUSED THE FIBERGLASS PANEL ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR TO HEAT UP. THIS HEAT CAUSED A 3RD DEGREE BURN TO THE TIP OF A FINGER. THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP EVALUATED IT AND STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER FROZE. THE DAY AFTER THE FLEX WAS RETURNED "FIXED", THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FROZE. IT DID THE SAME THING AS THE DRIVERS SIDE (MADE THE SUDDEN METAL ON METAL SOUND, SMOKED AND HEATED UP). THE FLEX WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE OTHER CALIPER WAS REPLACED. THE FLEX WAS RETURNED LATER THAT DAY "FIXED". UPON DRIVING HOME, BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPER RE-FROZE. AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY FLEX TO A TRUSTED BRAKE SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE SHOP STATED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPERS WERE SEIZED. THEY ADVISED THE PARTS WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND CORRECTIONS TO FIX THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR CALIPER. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES SINCE THE SHOP DID THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10744806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A 2011 FORD FLEX NEW. AT 24000 MILES MY TIRES WERE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER HAD ME PAY HALF PRICE. AT 48 K THE NEW TIRES ARE AGAIN BAD AND NEED REPLACING. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF FORD FLEX OWNERS WITH SUBSTANDARD TIRES. FORD MUST BE AWARE OF THIS WHEN 7 OUT 10 PEOPLE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. OWNERS SHOULD BE GIVEN NEW TIRES OF A DIFFERENT MAKE AT FORDS EXPENSE. MY CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A TIRE REPAIR SHOP TIRE KINGDOM WHO EXPLAINED THE TIRES FORD PROVIDES FOR THE FLEX ARE NOT INTENDED FOR A VEHICLE OF THAT MAKE AND WEIGHT GVW.
NHTSA complaint #10722413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.