2012 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
11/100
#9 most-complained of 10 Flex years
The 2012 Ford Flex ranks as one of the Best model years, with a complaint index of 11 and 64 complaints, ranked 9th worst of 10 model years. Steering issues are the top complaint area at 38% of reports, backed by two recalls.
- Complaints
- 64
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
Top 2012 Ford Flex problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering24 (38%)
- Engine14 (22%)
- Electrical System10 (16%)
- Brakes9 (14%)
- Fuel System7 (11%)
- Other5 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
What owners report
- Power steering assist can fail suddenly and intermittently, sometimes while driving, requiring the vehicle to be pulled over.
- Some owners report a bad power steering rack and pinion tied to a steering-effort recall campaign.
- Electrical odors and underhood fires have been reported while the vehicle was parked, with flames near the engine and windshield.
- Engine warning lights can appear with a sudden engine shutdown at highway speed, with the vehicle later restarting.
- Brakes have pulsated or vibrated during light braking, especially after sustained mountain driving.
- One owner described the vehicle lurching backward unexpectedly at very low speed, resulting in a crash where airbags did not deploy.
2012 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.
2012 Ford Flex fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 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.
2012 compared with other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford Flex reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Ford Flex has a complaint index of 11, the second-lowest among the 10 model years with data, earning it a Best verdict relative to other Flex years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2012 Ford Flex?
- Steering accounts for 38% of complaints, with 24 reports and a median failure mileage of 59,620 miles, followed by engine issues at 22%.
- Does the 2012 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2012 Ford Flex: one for a driver frontal airbag module and one for a power steering control module diagnostic issue.
- How does the 2012 Ford Flex compare to other Flex model years?
- The 2012 Flex has fewer complaints (64) and a lower complaint index (11) than years like 2013 (579 complaints, index 100) and 2019 (249 complaints, index 89), which are rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2012 Ford Flex problems typically appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 65,006 miles overall, with steering complaints appearing around 59,620 miles and engine complaints around 101,650 miles.