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2010 Ford Flex problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Ford Flex is engine and cooling, typically around 74,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Flex model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
139
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
37
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 2010 Ford Flex problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Ford Flex

Power steering loss 22Stalling 15Loss of power 12Check engine light 7Engine failure 7Jerking 7Grinding brakes 6Sudden acceleration 6Brake failure 5

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontalReported April 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 16V247000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2010 Ford Flex

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Ford Flex 37

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 37 bulletins for the 2010 Ford Flex

2010 Ford Flex fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD172420
3.5L 6‑cylAWD162218
3.5L 6‑cyl4WD162218

What 2010 Ford Flex owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 20, 2025 · Steering · ID

Leaving home to go to the grocery store and as I exited my street a dash warning came on stating "Power Steering Assist" fault Steering wheel locked up making it impossible for me to steer. Fortunately this happened in a spot where there was no other traffic and I was able to just turn off the car and restart and the message was gone and my steering was restored. I am now terrified to drive my car because if this had happened in traffic there could have been a serious accident because steering capability was non existent. . In reading online this is a very common problem with my make and model and apparently there was a recall by Ford for 2011 and later cars but not 2010 even though it is a "known problem" at dealerships. For me this now seems intermittent but in calling the dealership they know of the issue. It would cost me about $2200 to fix. I am happy to provide my vehicle for inspection. Thank you so much for your help ... greatly appreciated

Filed Jun 22, 2025 · Steering · VA

On the road and power steering went out and was super hard to turn

Filed Dec 13, 2024 · Body · NY

Water ingress into rear side door latch - froze - door opened while car was in motion

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · Steering · 119,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a metal clicking and scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the wheels felt loose. The contact stated that a nearby driver informed her that sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver identified that the rack and pinion had detached. In addition, the power steering fluid had leaked out onto the ground. The contact was driving on a busy highway during the failure occurred. The contact stated that her grandchildren were in the vehicle when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Suspension · KS · crash

While traveling at highway speeds 75+ a loud bang and then control of vehicle was hard to keep on road, swerved left then right, left rear quarter panel hit guard rail and caused car to spin around and went sideways and backwards down a 30 ft embankment. Fortunately did not roll. left side tires came off of rims and damage to driver side door was done. Highway Patrol had car towed to holding lot, where I then got car towed to my mechanic. The left side Lateral stabilizer Rod had broken due to rusted part, causing left rear wheel to go out of alignment. The rubber boot on the rod was attached, rust was internal would never had known about a problem. Had both lateral rods replaced tires re-balanced and alignment done.

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Steering · NY

Vehicle loses power steering intermittently upon vehicle startup as well as in motion. Vehicle is then extremely hard to control without power steering. Message " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" prints to the instrument cluster above the steering wheel. Turning the vehicle off and back on may resolve problem but it returns within a couple key cycles.

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed after waiting for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brake master cylinder, the brake booster, the vacuum pump, the brake calipers, the brake check valve, the brakes lines, and the brake pedal sensor were replaced. Additionally, the ECM was replaced and reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the brake fluid was hot after driving 15-20 miles. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2023 · Engine · 148,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 3 attempts. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the oil mixing with the coolant. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Transmission · TX

While driving car suddenly losses power and the wrench light comes on. Loss of power with the car transmission wont move the car at all. have to pull over and turn off car about 5min then start it back up and now everything works with no codes. Happened 3 times.VERY DANGEROUS BECUASE CAR LOSSES POWER AND CARS BEHIND YOU ALMOST HITS YOU.

Filed Mar 19, 2023 · Electrical, Visibility · ID

constant failure of the blend door actuator causes a clicking noise in the cabin upon starting the vehicle, or switching from vent mode to defrost mode. Also happens intermittently when activating the air conditioning. the clicking is loud enough to be heard from outside the vehicle. Unit has been replaced 4 times in 2 years. usually only lasts about a month before the unit starts to click again.

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Questions about the 2010 Ford Flex

Is the 2010 Ford Flex reliable?

Owners have filed 139 complaints about the 2010 Ford Flex, close to a typical Flex model year.

What is the 2010 Ford Flex year score?

The 2010 Ford Flex scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Flex: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Ford Flex?

Engine and cooling, with 38 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is steering (32).

How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Flex have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Flex get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Ford Flex range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.

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