Does the 2011 Ford Flex have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Ford Flex, the most recent reported on April 26, 2016 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Flex?

Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (57 complaints), followed by engine (25).

How many 2011 Ford Flex complaints mention a crash or fire?

5 of 144 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Ford Flex recalls and problems

2 recalls and 144 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford Flex.

recalls

144

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Ford Flex recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · reported April 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 695 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: 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.

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company · 393,623 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering57
Engine25
Power train19
Unknown or other11
Electrical system9
Service brakes8
Engine and engine cooling7
Seats7
Fuel/propulsion system5
Wheels5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 10, 2026 · Steering
I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I got the vehicle and…

Apr 28, 2026 · Power train
Went to put car in reverse and it kept driving forward- no weird sound or anything. Proceeded to put the car in park and it was still moving forward. Transmission was stuck on drive.The shifter is disconnected from the transmission with no warning .Just looked and the transmission shifter bushing is disconnected. Also…

Oct 22, 2025 · Exterior lighting
I had changed all my bulbs and fuses to my car for my brake lights several times and they still don’t work. My car almost got hit with me and my kids in it due to my break lights not working. Also my car keeps saying service advance trac and keeps saying it every time I drive. My car also keeps running out of power…

Oct 18, 2025 · Service brakes
My brakes locked up suddenly on the rear end causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road and unable to move it, even to tow it. I had to take 2 days almost to fix it in the middle of the road, since yesterday morning. They also began locking up suddenly on the front end, the wheel bearing, CV Joint, Tie Rods, CV…

Aug 18, 2025 · Steering · 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed…

Flex model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2009	1	181	7	2
2010	1	139	9	2
2011	2	144	5	1
2012	2	64	4	1
2013	6	580	11	1
2014	4	249	11	2

Across all years, the 2013 Flex has the most complaints (580). All Ford Flex years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Ford Flex have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Ford Flex, the most recent reported on April 26, 2016 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Flex?: Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (57 complaints), followed by engine (25).
How many 2011 Ford Flex complaints mention a crash or fire?: 5 of 144 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 10, 2026.