2012 Ford Flex Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Ford Flex has a complaint index of 10, ranking 10th worst out of 11 model years and earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 64 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 fire, with Steering as the top problem area at 38% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #10 of 11 Flex years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 64
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2012 Ford Flex problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Power steering assist fails intermittently, sometimes engaging again only after turning the vehicle off and back on.
- Front brakes vibrate or pulsate heavily during light braking, especially after sustained mountain driving.
- Engine shuts down unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, then restarts after coasting to a stop.
- A burning electrical odor preceded flames appearing between the engine and windshield while the vehicle was parked in a garage.
- Electrical system causes the A/C to shut off or turn on unprompted, and the instrument panel needles surge or swing during turns.
- Vehicle unexpectedly moved backward or forward on its own while parking, leading to a crash into a fixed object.
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?
- Among Flex model years, 2012 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 10, the second-lowest of the 11 years with data, and carries a Best verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Flex?
- Steering issues make up 38% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 22% and electrical system issues at 16%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2012 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Flex: an airbag recall covering the driver frontal air bag module, and a steering recall covering the Power Steering Control Module.
- How does the 2012 Flex compare to other Ford Flex years?
- 2012 has a complaint index of 10, far better than 2013 (100, Avoid) and 2019 (90, Avoid), and slightly behind the top-ranked 2017 (0, Best).
- What is the median mileage for steering failures in the 2012 Flex?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 59,620 miles at failure for steering complaints, the top problem area for this year.