2009 Ford Flex: check engine light

Filed May 22, 2019 · Engine · 135,000 miles · MS

2009 ford flex PCM. While accelerating off ramp onto interstate, MPH 70, the ford begin to shank violently then suddenly stops.............. In the middle of traffic/interstate in the middle lane at 70 MPH. Flex goes to shop and 3 coils are melted, converter needs to be replaced, and PCM needs to replaced. This is a serious hazard and needs to be looked into as there are many many post and complaints about the PCM. The safety of the flex and it's passengers are in grave danger when this happens as it is out of no where. 70 MPH on an interstate at a sudden stop will kill someone. No check engine light appears until after the fact. This is a ford malfunction that needs to be recalled by ford and addressed instead of tsb's before an individual is seriously hurt.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 136,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electronic throttle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000....updated 07/19/16

Filed Apr 21, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · IN

I purchased this vehicle in may, 2014 as a used vehicle w/warranty (powertrain). While traveling from st.louis, missouri in stop and go traffic, the car overheated. After speeding up to get out of traffic it suddenly cooled back off. Now, during this same time, the air conditioner stopped blowing cool air until we sped up to get out of traffic. After that, it didn't happen again until I was stuck in traffic. Same problem. The fans stopped working. Here recently, I was stuck in traffic and the car overheated and the check engine light came on. Only this time, when I sped up the car didn't cool down. The coolant was fine but the car still over heated. I took the car to the dealership today and was told that it is the cooling fan module and it should be replaced. Now, I've read in several different places that this is a problem with 2008-2012 ford flex vehicles. A recall was issued for the 2011-2012 series but not earlier models. Owners of these vehicles should not have to be responsible for faulty materials used to make these vehicles. The same recall that was afforded to the 2011-2012 models should also be afforded to owners of earlier models. The dealership wants $600 to repair this because my warranty only covers powertrain. Please address this asap. I have 6 children and cannot afford to spend $600 on something that is not even my fault or the fault of normal wear and tear.

Filed Mar 25, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,200 miles · MD

Driving stopped at a stop sign noticed the wrench light on (happens often while this happens will not accelerate like normal until it hits 2-3rd gear). I press the gas to accelerate after making the turn I had to make another turn about 1/4 mile up the street. I released the gas to make the turn but my car kept accelerating it was not going very fast but the engine was accelerating pushing the rpms up to 6000. My foot was not on the gas and nothing was pressing the gas no floor mat or items in the way of the pedals. I pressed on the break (with the engine still accelerating) put the car into neutral and pulled over. Turned the engine off and restarted the car. The car ran fine after restarted it. No check engine light was on at any point just the wrench light. The light did go off after I restarted the car. I drove it about another 40 miles since this has happened and has not recurred since. I did have the car taken in to check the codes at about 90k miles (without the wrench light because it goes off as soon as you restart the car) nothing came up for codes.

Filed May 6, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,260 miles · MI

Check engine light went on and when diagnosed it was one of the oxygen sensors. It had to be replaced in order for the rest of the safeties to operate properly. It was a defective part that cost over $400 to replace. Warranty was declined, however, the design life of the part must be in excess of 150000 miles. If this part were failing all the time, there would be a recall. My defective part was not replaced by ford as it should have been. There are no moving parts, it should not wear out.

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Engine · 70,000 miles · OK

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).

Filed Mar 19, 2012 · Engine · 88,000 miles · CT · fire

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.

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 25,000 miles · DE

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 wouldn't 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 didn't attempt to fix it. The third time was last week while driving through my neighborhood(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 couldn't duplicate the issue so they didn't 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 didn't 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 weren't injured but im worried that the next time it happens an injury could occur. Why hasn't ford listed this issue in their tsb!

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 23,126 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 52,300 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Engine · 8,000 miles · SC

2009 ford flex (less than 8000 miles) suddenly stopped running while I was driving around a curve on a road at about 20 to 30 miles per hour. Lost power steering. Engine light, battery light and oil light came on. Car restarted after I stopped it on the side of the road.

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · 10,000 miles · PA

The check engine light has come on 4 times in the past year. The error code relates to the capless fuel system. The dealer has reset the code and replaced a fueling tube. On 7/24/10, engine light lit and five minutes later the engine cut out while driving less than 20 MPH. Car restarted without issue. It is currently being serviced.