2010 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
56/100
#5 most-complained of 10 Flex years
The 2010 Ford Flex has a Complaint Index of 56, ranking 5th worst out of 10 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 32% of complaints, and NHTSA lists one recall for airbag modules.
- Complaints
- 139
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
Top 2010 Ford Flex problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine45 (32%)
- Steering32 (23%)
- Brakes18 (13%)
- Fuel System16 (12%)
- Electrical System14 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (9%)
- Other9 (6%)
- Airbags8 (6%)
- Structure & Body8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report the power transfer unit (PTU) leaking fluid that ignited near the exhaust, damaging the transmission housing and causing powertrain failure.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including rear-end and head-on collisions, sometimes with the air bag warning light on beforehand.
- Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration while trying to park, with the vehicle not stopping despite braking.
- Power steering reportedly failed abruptly during a turn, making the wheel impossible to center even with heavy force.
- Owners report turbo failure that let oil burn through the engine, producing heavy exhaust smoke, in one case at 110,000 miles.
- Some report suspension or wheel issues, including a broken toe link and rear tires coming off the rims at highway speed.
2010 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.
2010 Ford Flex fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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.
2010 compared with other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Ford Flex reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2010 Flex a Complaint Index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among the 10 model years with data. It is not the worst year, but it trails better years like 2017 and 2012.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Flex?
- Engine issues make up 32% of complaints, followed by steering at 23% and brakes at 13%. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2010 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V247000, covering a driver frontal airbag module that Ford will inspect and replace as necessary.
- Which Ford Flex years should I avoid instead of 2010?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2013 (Complaint Index 100), 2014 (78), and 2019 (89) are rated Avoid, all worse than the 2010 model's index of 56.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Ford Flex?
- NHTSA lists 139 complaints for the 2010 Ford Flex, including 9 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries, with no reported deaths.