2011 Ford Flex Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford Flex has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints dominate, making up 40% of the 144 total complaints, with two recalls covering airbags and steering.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 Flex years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 144
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 1
Top 2011 Ford Flex problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering57 (40%)
- Engine33 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (13%)
- Other14 (10%)
- Structure & Body11 (8%)
- Brakes10 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (7%)
- Electrical System9 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (4%)
- Airbags2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering rack and pinion failures reported around 160,000 miles, with some owners saying replacements failed again within months.
- Electric power steering assist cuts out intermittently, sometimes tied to a traction/stability control fault, making the wheel hard to turn until the car is restarted.
- Power steering has reportedly gone out entirely while driving, including during a turn on a residential street.
- Transmission hesitates or feels like it's in neutral when pulling away from a stop, then bangs into gear, sometimes at very low mileage.
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor without stopping the vehicle, resulting in a rear-end crash.
- Fumes reportedly entered the cabin during hard acceleration, causing nausea and eye burning.
2011 Ford Flex recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.
- NHTSA 15V340000Jun 2, 2015Steering393,623 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: 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.
2011 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.
2011 compared with other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford Flex reliable?
- NHTSA lists 144 complaints for the 2011 Flex, giving it a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 5th worst among the 11 model years covered.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Ford Flex?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 57 of 144 complaints (40%), with a median mileage at failure of 118,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Ford Flex have a steering recall?
- Yes. Campaign 15V340000 covers 2011-2012 Ford Flex vehicles for a power steering control module issue that Ford addresses by checking for diagnostic trouble codes.
- What year Ford Flex should I avoid instead of 2011?
- Among Flex model years, 2013 (Complaint Index 100) and 2019 (Complaint Index 90) carry Avoid verdicts, which are worse than the 2011's Caution rating.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Flex have?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Flex: one for airbags (16V247000) and one for steering (15V340000).