Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| TSB-10-16-1 | 08/09/2010 | 10039155 | Ready | 07/12/2011 | |
| TSB-10-16-1 | 08/09/2010 | 10039155 | Ford: there may be a rough idle or misses while the malfunction light is on. there are mutliple possible trouble codes stored. *rm | 07/12/2011 | |
| AS-21769 | 03/01/2011 | 10039053 | Ready | 07/06/2011 | |
| AS-21769 | 03/01/2011 | 10039053 | Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration. *rm | 07/06/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | |||
| 02/08/2013 | 24000 | ||
| Drove 30 miles at highway speed. then in shopping mall engine quit suddenly at 20 mph without any warning. no power brakes, no power steering. it was if someone had turned off the ignition. i was able to muscle the car out of traffic and was thankful this sudden failure did not occur at speed or while making a turn across traffic. this seems to be a problem identical to those reported by other 09 flex owners, but ford ( or at least my local dealer) is not interested in addressing the problem. considering that the car had a loss of control, it is puzzling that this defect is not being taken more seriously. in terms of severity of the problem, this sounds like a '10'. the proposed fix is new throttle body, reprogram computer, clean injectors. since no fault codes appeared and since this is intermittent, the mechanical breakdown policy does not cover what is clearly a manufacturing defect on these early builds. so the problem is twofold: the car dies suddenly and the computer does not recognize this as a fault. | |||
| 01/20/2013 | 70000 | 1 | |
| This vehicle experienced failure of both radiator cooling fans. the engine entered reduced power mode due to high temperature while my wife was entering a busy street. just prior to this the vehicle had been idling for approximately 10 or 15 minutes. temperature light did not illuminate until engine entered reduced power mode. check engine light did not illuminate. loss of power without warning could be very dangerous under certain conditions. after some research i have found that this is not an isolated incident. usually the first sign of a problem is the air conditioner blowing warm air when stopped and engine is at an idle. ford has the customer satisfaction program (#12b36) that is covering the repairs regardless of mileage for the same problem on 2011 and 2012 ford flex vehicles at no cost to owners. the 2009 and 2010 model years are excluded from this program. a letter was sent to 2011 and 2012 flex owners offering this repair. both fans have been tested and found to be inoperative. fan control module appears to be ok. i spoke to ford customer service today (case #[xxx]) 01/21/13, and they verified that the customer satisfaction program (12b36) is covering 2011 and 2012 model flex vehicles. an internet search shows that other models may also be covered. i believe this program should cover the 2009 and 2010 model vehicles for safety reasons or a maybe a safety recall should be considered. i will be purchasing a new fan assembly and installing it myself but have no way to reprogram the pcm to help prevent this from happening again. i will also take the vehicle to the dealer to have them inspect it before replacing the fan assembly as asked by ford customer service. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 01/20/2013 | 70000 | ||
| This vehicle experienced failure of both radiator cooling fans. the engine entered reduced power mode due to high temperature while my wife was entering a busy street. just prior to this the vehicle had been idling for approximately 10 or 15 minutes. temperature light did not illuminate until engine entered reduced power mode. check engine light did not illuminate. loss of power without warning could be very dangerous under certain conditions. after some research i have found that this is not an isolated incident. usually the first sign of a problem is the air conditioner blowing warm air when stopped and engine is at an idle. ford has the customer satisfaction program (#12b36) that is covering the repairs regardless of mileage for the same problem on 2011 and 2012 ford flex vehicles at no cost to owners. the 2009 and 2010 model years are excluded from this program. a letter was sent to 2011 and 2012 flex owners offering this repair. both fans have been tested and found to be inoperative. fan control module appears to be ok. i spoke to ford customer service today (case #cas2097496) 01/21/13, and they verified that the customer satisfaction program (12b36) is covering 2011 and 2012 model flex vehicles. an internet search shows that other models may also be covered. i believe this program should cover the 2009 and 2010 model vehicles for safety reasons or a maybe a safety recall should be considered. i will be purchasing a new fan assembly and installing it myself but have no way to reprogram the pcm to help prevent this from happening again. i will also take the vehicle to the dealer to have them inspect it before replacing the fan assembly as asked by ford customer service. | |||
| 08/28/2009 | 3611 | 2 | |
| Twice while driving my ford flex, i had spontaneous total shut downs of the engine. the first time, my car was only a few months old and i was idling in front of a friend's house when all the lights came on and it completely died. i started it right back up (and it subsequently performed perfectly) and i drove it to ford where they did some diagnostics checks and found no anomaly. it concerned me but thinking it may be a fuel injection issue while only idling, i went about my business. on july 20, 2012, at 38k mile, my ford flex died again! total shutdown of the engine and all the lights came on while i was driving approximately 30 miles per hour with my daughter in the car! no power steering, no power brakes, no power anything! because i was on a slight downhill, i was able to get the car over to the side of the road without catastrophe, thank god. the engine started up again as if nothing occurred. i drove direct to ford where they did 10 minutes of diagnostic testing and told me once again that there was no anomaly. i went a little crazy, informed them that i was leaving for a 10- day vacation the following morning and that they had the full 10 days to fix the car or that i wasn't going to be picking it up ever again. a ford tech drove my car with a computer plugged into the car, typed in the problem and after maneuvering the car to try and get a repeated response, the car did indeed shut down while he was driving it! apparently, the throttle body was binding internally and needed to be replaced. after replacing part # 1 7t4z 9e926 fa, ford walnut creek ca is telling me it is fixed. let's hope so. i pray that no one has been involved in a fatal or injury accident as a result of this part's failure. i am writing this as an alert and a heads up to anyone who has had the same scary experience. *tr | |||
| 08/28/2009 | 3611 | ||
| Twice while driving my ford flex, i had spontaneous total shut downs of the engine. the first time, my car was only a few months old and i was idling in front of a friend's house when all the lights came on and it completely died. i started it right back up (and it subsequently performed perfectly) and i drove it to ford where they did some diagnostics checks and found no anomaly. it concerned me but thinking it may be a fuel injection issue while only idling, i went about my business. on july 20, 2012, at 38k mile, my ford flex died again! total shutdown of the engine and all the lights came on while i was driving approximately 30 miles per hour with my daughter in the car! no power steering, no power brakes, no power anything! because i was on a slight downhill, i was able to get the car over to the side of the road without catastrophe, thank god. the engine started up again as if nothing occurred. i drove direct to ford where they did 10 minutes of diagnostic testing and told me once again that there was no anomaly. i went a little crazy, informed them that i was leaving for a 10- day vacation the following morning and that they had the full 10 days to fix the car or that i wasn't going to be picking it up ever again. a ford tech drove my car with a computer plugged into the car, typed in the problem and after maneuvering the car to try and get a repeated response, the car did indeed shut down while he was driving it! apparently, the throttle body was binding internally and needed to be replaced. after replacing part # 1 7t4z 9e926 fa, ford walnut creek ca is telling me it is fixed. let's hope so. i pray that no one has been involved in a fatal or injury accident as a result of this part's failure. i am writing this as an alert and a heads up to anyone who has had the same scary experience. | |||
| 07/06/2012 | 65000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that the driver was driving the vehicle and the coolant temperature light illuminated on the instrument panel. the driver stopped the vehicle and noticed that it was overheating. the driver also noticed that the air conditioner failed. the vehicle was able to be driven to the residence after resting for thirty minutes. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. the failure mileage was 65,000. | |||
| 07/06/2012 | 65000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that the driver was driving the vehicle and the coolant temperature light illuminated on the instrument panel. the driver stopped the vehicle and noticed that it was overheating. the driver also noticed that the air conditioner failed. the vehicle was able to be driven to the residence after resting for thirty minutes. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. the failure mileage was 65,000. sm. | |||
| 07/06/2012 | 65000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that the driver was driving the vehicle and the coolant temperature light illuminated on the instrument panel. the contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the vehicle was over heating and the air conditioner failed. the vehicle was able to drive to the residence after sitting for 30 minutes. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was notified and they informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. the failure mileage was 65,000. ap | |||
| 01/15/2012 | 35000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the engine stalled without the illumination of warning indicators on the instrument panel. the engine restarted and the vehicle resumed as normal. the failure occurred four times when driving at a low speed. the contact was in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 35,000. sm. | |||
| 01/15/2012 | 35000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. while driving approximately 20 mph, the engine stalled without the illumination of warning indicators on the instrument panel. the engine restarted and the vehicle resumed as normal. the failure occurred four times when driving at a low speed. the contact was in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 35,000. js | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 88000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph, smoke was seen coming from the air vents. the vehicle was then pulled over and then driven slowly back to the contact's residence. the contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a service done due to the check engine light illuminating. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 88,000. | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 88000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph, smoke was seen coming from the air vents. the vehicle was then pulled over and then driven slowly back to the contact's residence. the contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a service done due to the check engine light illuminating. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 88,000. kmj | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 88000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated while driving at 40 mph, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming from the air vents. the vehicle was then pulled over and then driven slowly back to the contacts residence. the contact also stated that before this failure the vehicle was taken in to an authorized dealer to have a service done to the vehicle where the check engine light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 88,000.cv | |||
| 09/09/2010 | 25000 | ||
| I purchased my flex new on oct 2009 and it has shut off while driving three times since i bought it. the first time it happened i was driving through my neighborhood (with my children in the car with me) at 20mph all the warning lights came on my engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes. luckily i was able coast to the side of the street. i waited a few minutes and it wouldnt start. i tried to start it again and it started up. the second time i was driving on the highway(with my children in the car with me) at 55mph engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes and check engine light came on, i coasted to the shoulder, waited a few minutes and it started right up. i took it to the dealership; they told me they couldn't find any issues that would cause the vehicle to turn off while driving so they didnt attempt to fix it. the third time was last week while driving through my neighborhhod(with my children in the car with me) at 20 mph, engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes and check engine light came on. i took it to the dealership again and again they told me that they couldnt duplicate the issue so they didnt attempt to fix it. my children were in the car with me all three times. i've taken to the dealership 3 times for this issue and they cant duplicate the issue so they can't find the problem so they didnt even attempt to fix it. i just dropped it off this week for the fourth time. its very frustrating to have this issue especially since im scared to drive the vehicle with my kids in the car. i feel its a huge safety issue. its a total inconvenience to have to keep going back to the dealership and drop off my vehicle. i have three children and need a dependable vehicle. luckily we werent injured but im worried that the next time it happens an injury could occur. why hasnt ford listed this issue in their tsb! | |||
| 10/08/2011 | 23126 | ||
| Intermittent no start of vehicle. towed to dealer after 5 previous incidents. delivered to dealership in same no start behavior. upon initial attempt a relay was replaced as the pcm (main engine computer) was not receiving power. service advisor calls to indicate vehicle is ready and starts up after repair. at the dealership, picking up the vehicle, car starts up, however, dash lights light up, warning check awd, check this, check that... service engine light on as well (the wrench). shut the car down, try to restart, will not restart. tech is with me and observes behavior and tries as well. no start again. tech attempts to download error codes. mentions rfi interference. will be doing another diagnostic. previously, car was towed to dealership for stalling at freeway speeds (65+). ended up being a soaked pcm (main engine computer). this took two trips (towed both times). this is now four times to repair the same non-running / no start defect. the rear brakes were also repaired due to dragging calipers as per tsb 10-7-2. | |||
| 06/02/2011 | 52300 | ||
| Vehicle running sluggish approx. 3 weeks prior. check engine light warning came on and immediately took vehicle to ford for a diagnostics check. vehicle had a code p0422, test ran verified evaporative system leak. i was told it was a safety issue and not drivable. fuel filler pipe was cracked and needed replacement. ford has prior recalls for this part over the years, although ford did not cover this repair. 1 week prior one of two engine fans went out requiring replacement. | |||
| 10/21/2010 | 14525 | ||
| Engine dies while idling at a stop while facing forward on an uphill grade. vehicle was taken to dealer last year who performed a computer check and found no problem. however, the problem occasionally persists and could, in my opinion, present a safety issue. | |||
| 09/22/2009 | 7526 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that there was an oil leak on the rear of the engine. the engine was removed and the leak was repaired by the dealership. the air cylinder that lifted the third row seats had to be replaced as it was defective. the rear hatch opened on its own five times; the dealer realigned the door to remedy the problem. the rear main oil seal failed so it was also replaced at the dealership. the brakes failed to stop the vehicle effectively. when the vehicle was taken to the dealership, the dealer stated that the vehicle was fine. the battery was defective and was replaced. the transmission banged into gear when downshifting, causing the vehicle to jerk and shake. the dealer stated that they could not find a problem when they inspected the vehicle. the engine made a popping noise when he accelerated from a stop. the door molding and window molding sills became warped. lastly, one of the tires (the contact could not recall which one) blew and the sidewall separated; he replaced the tire at his expense. the contact called the manufacturer who stated that once the vehicle left the manufacturing plant, it was the dealership's responsibility and offered no assistance. the current mileage was 15,283. the failure mileage was 7,526-bk | |||
| 07/05/2009 | 1450 | 1 | |
| This is a 2009 flex dealer demo with 1450 miles. it has died twice while driving during a test drive. the first occurrence was while in drive, in a parking lot at about 5 mph. the engine, a/c, radio/accessory power, and all lights suddenly died. it was as if the key had been turned to off, except that the retained accessory power and all dash/warning lights went out as well. the car re-started easily once put into neutral. the second occurrence was in reverse, backing out of a driveway at about 3 mph. this time the engine suddenly died, and a/c turned off, but the accessory power to the radio and dash /warning lights remained on, and the security light on the dash was blinking slowly. again, the car re-started easily. both times the power steering and braking went out and the car was much more difficult to control, and shifting gears, re-starting it, and shifting back to drive took several seconds. this could cause a serious collision if it happened while pulling into traffic. i have heard of at least 4 other similar incidents, and most of those were resolved at the dealership with a simple change to the computer control module in the engine. hopefully ford will recall units already sold to make this change before someone is injured. *tr | |||
| 04/24/2009 | 60 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. while making a right turn in an intersection the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and the engine shut off. the driver was able to restart the vehicle; however, surprised that a new vehicle experienced a failure. there was no mention of warning lights being illuminated. the vin is not available. the current and failure mileages were 60. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 22000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that the brakes were grinding. the contact had to replace the brake pads and the rotors four times. the contact also stated while driving in the rain all of the lights start flickering and a burning smell was emitted into the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that water overflowed into the engine because of the way the vehicle was designed causing the serpentine belt to come off, as a result the battery was over heating and the vehicle was loosing power. the battery had to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 22,000 and the current mileage was 44,000. | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 22000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. the contact stated that the vehicle brakes were grinding. the contact mentioned that she had to replace the brake pads and the rotors a total of 4 times. in addition, the contact stated that while driving in the rain all of the light started flickering and a burning smell was emitted into the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a local shop who diagnosed that water shoots up into the engine because of the way the vehicle was design causing the serpentine belt to come off, as a result the battery was over heating and the vehicle was loosing power. the battery had to be replace. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did no t offered any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 22,000 and the current mileage was 44,000. pm | |||
| 09/01/2009 | 7000 | 1 | |
| 2009 ford flex. engine dies while driving without any warning. the problem is intermittent but certainly present in numerous 2009 ford flex vehicles. follow this link: http://www.fordflex.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=711 this incident has happened to me twice. the dealer was supposed to have fixed the problem after the first occurrence. *tr | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 03/12/2010 | 36 | ||
| 2009 ford flex cabin area fills up with carbon monoxide and catalytic converter smell on acceleration such as passing gear, getting into traffic from an on ramp, etc. ford's repair was replacing baffles at the end of the exhaust system that they suspected were remaining closed on significant acceleration. dealership performed repair but it made no difference. if windows are not rolled down to allow the exhaust gases to exhit the cabin area slight headache and burning of the eyes ensues. this problem seems to occur on about 1 out of 4 ford flexs and a solution has not been engineered. this is an important safety/health issue that needs to be addressed. | |||