2009 Ford Flex: fire, smoke or burning smell

5 of the 181 complaints about the 2009 Ford Flex describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2015
2
2014
2
2013
1
2012
2
2011
3
2009
5

What owners say

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Electrical · MI

When driving down city highway or city roads the all of the lights on the dash board will cut off, (ie. Radio, blinkers, heat & A/C controls) will shut off and the drive control button will appear with the door ajar and brake lights. It is now starting to make a dinging sound while you drive as well as smell like something is on fire. The car is completely shut and sealed. There isn't a time or instant where this is happening. It will just go in and out! Ford you really need to fix this problem since families are using these vehicles. I've done some research and see that it is a common problem with the 09 flex.

Filed Oct 1, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · MS · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, smoke appeared from the hood and the vehicle spontaneously caught on fire. The contact extinguished the fire and disconnected the battery cables. The air bag warning indicator was illuminated, but the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 28, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 25,577 miles · CA

Our ford flex came to a stop, (engine did not shut off) from approx. 10 MPH, without the driver, my wife, applying the brakes, in a mall parking lot. She shut it off and started it again. It drove fine. Since we have had brake issues with the flex before, we immediatly took the flex to the dealer. The dealer said they could find nothing wrong, even driving it "20 miles" around town to replicate any problem. They also said they contacted ford for any suggestions. We picked the car up two days later and my wife & daughter drove the car 350 miles to visit relatives. While on this trip, the car stalled, engine quit, in traffic at about 15 MPH. This happened right after filling the flex with fuel. The car started again and was taken to the local ford dealer, where they found nothing wrong. We have had many brake issues as well with this vehicle. The rear brakes smoke from self application (the parking brake was not on), enough smoke that other drivers have waved us down on the road thinking the flex's brakes were on fire. We have had the rear rotors and calipers replaced at 15,300 miles (under warranty) do to extremely quick wear. The rear brakes have smoked again since this replacement. I'm beginning to think these problems are related in the ABS/traction control/stablity control system. Of course, the dealer, and apparently ford, say there is nothing wrong. The transmission clunks ("nothing wrong") and is reluctant to downshift (safety factor when in traffic), the front brakes are making that grinding noise other owners have complained about, and trim pieces fall off the car. This is my wife's vehicle to transport kids in and we are extremely frustrated with our flex and feel this "family car" is unsafe. We are considering california's "lemon law" if ford and their dealers don't acknowlede that the ford flex has some serious problems.

Filed May 25, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · 22,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Brakes · 6,284 miles · PR

Several events have occurred with my new 2009 ford flex, problems with power door locks; track control activated while vehicle was driven slow coming to a stop; strong burning odor in motor; seat belt alter sounded while seat belts were in use; all the light in vehicle shut off while vehicle was being driving for approx. 10 seconds; when going in reverse brakes made noise in the front and rear areas and while car was being driving forward; car would automatically slow down while being driving; vehicle shut off while being driving; vehicle was taken for service. According to the car dealer everything was fixed after several days while driving the vehicle with my family as I was coming to a slow stop the back breaks locked causing an immediate short stop and a terrible smell of burning rubber came from the back tires. Took the car back to the dealer (02-25-09) they said they found no problems, I insisted in them rechecking the vehicle and as of today (02-26-09) they still have it. Waiting for results but I am extremely worried being my wife is the driver of this vehicle with our children, grandchildren and our sons baseball team mates.