2009 Ford Flex Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Ford Flex ranks 4th worst among 11 model years, with 181 complaints and a complaint index of 70, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 32% of complaints, with brakes and electrical issues also common.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #4 of 11 Flex years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 181
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2009 Ford Flex problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine58 (32%)
- Brakes37 (20%)
- Electrical System32 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (13%)
- Other20 (11%)
- Fuel System19 (10%)
- Steering18 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (9%)
- Structure & Body16 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine emits smoke from vents or the hood, sometimes progressing to a fire while parked or driving at moderate speed.
- Brakes feel spongy or fail completely, including a reported full brake failure after the vehicle sat at high altitude.
- Grinding noise from the brakes develops after repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal collisions, leaving occupants unprotected during impact.
- Engine stalls unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers such as turning at an intersection.
- Vehicle jerks or bangs when shifting from reverse to park, accompanied by overheating in stop-and-go traffic.
2009 Ford Flex recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V247000Apr 26, 2016Airbags695 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
2009 Ford Flex fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ford Flex reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2009 Flex has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 4th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Flex years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Flex?
- Engine complaints lead at 32% of the 181 total complaints, followed by brakes at 20% and electrical system issues at 18%, based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2009 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2009 Flex covering the driver frontal airbag module, which Ford will inspect and replace as necessary.
- At what mileage do 2009 Ford Flex problems usually appear?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 60,000 for the 2009 Flex overall, with engine failures reported at a median of 70,000 miles and brake failures at 30,500 miles.
- Is the 2009 Ford Flex better or worse than other years?
- With a complaint index of 70, the 2009 Flex ranks worse than years like 2012 (index 10, Best) and 2017 (index 0, Best), but better than 2013 (index 100, Avoid).