2011 Ford Flex: engine failure

Filed May 10, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · MI

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 I have been told they are just sensors from multiple mechanics and that they don't mean anything. As it relates to the issues, the brakes, calipers, and wheel bearings have given out twice WHILE DRIVING without any sort of warning up until they seized! The strut on the front passenger side has broken for no known reason and the power steering system has been non stop eating power steering fluid with no leaks. Since I have gotten this vehicle, I have put OVER 7,000 dollars worth of work into it. This went to fixing the brake calipers, brakes, rotors, all the steering mechanisms (tie rods, sway bars, etc.) and wheel bearings twice, trying to figure out why coolant flew out of the vehicle for no known reason, trying to figure out where the power steering fluid is going, all to no avail. I have had multiple mechanics look at and check all the components of the vehicle, and they can't even figure out what is going on other than things just fail without warning non stop. There is something wrong with these vehicles, EVERY SINGLE OWNER OF A 2011 FORD FLEX THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS SAID THE SAME EXACT THING, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS I AM, AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY! THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND A CHECK FOR THE PRICE OF A PERFECT 2011 FORD FLEX GIVEN TO EVERY 2011 FORD FLEX OWNER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS AS THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL AS PASSENGERS IN THE FLEX AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE! A 2011 FOR FLEX IN PERFECT CONDITION IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY $15,000, FORD SHOULD BE SUED FOR THIS! My vehicle is available for inspection when necessary, thank you!

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Engine, Steering · 176,000 miles · FL

The contact's grandmother owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rack and pinion, and power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2022 · Steering · 151,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver shifted to park(P), turned off, and restarted the vehicle to reset the steering wheel. The contact was able to continue to drive to his destination. The contact stated that her husband had experienced the failure several times on different occasions. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Steering · 139,037 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the service power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering seized. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,037.

Filed Apr 20, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 112,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon her husband starting the vehicle, the vehicle entered limp mode as he exited the driveway. Her husband then drove the vehicle back into the driveway and turned the vehicle off. The next day, her husband started that vehicle and was temporarily able to resume normal driving; however, the vehicle entered limp mode while in traffic as the power train warning light illuminated. Her husband was able to coast the vehicle back home while in limp mode and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body; however, the failure persisted after the part was repaired. The contact made numerous trips back to the dealer; however, the failure persisted after each visit. The contact was then informed to take the vehicle back once the wrench light had illuminated. Once the wrench light illuminated, the contact began to drive the vehicle to the dealer. While driving, she heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle as the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle entered limp mode. The contact made it to the dealer as antifreeze began leaking from the vehicle. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the radiator fluid had begun to leak out of the vehicle as a result of the water pump, which was previously replaced. The mechanic also discovered that the radiator fluid had leaked out of the rear main seal of engine which caused engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Engine · 113,000 miles · GA

My 2011 ford flex 3.5l engine has had cadastrofic failed due to premature failure of the internal chain driven waterpump. The o-rings on the waterpump failed there by allowing oil into the coolant and causing the prepellers on the waterpump to break off and block the water passages in the engine with the oil and propeller parts. Also, allowing coolant into the oil. Through my research, I have come across many flex owners as well as othe ford owner that have the same 3.5l engine withe the internal chain driven waterpump have had the same or gerry simular issues and many have had to spend thousands for a new engine. Ford needs to recall this design flawed engine and waterpump.

Filed Oct 31, 2018 · Engine · 102,000 miles · VA

Water pump, engine. All of a sudden out of the blue with no indications, warning, leaks, stalls, rough driving, no starts, lights or smells; sent to start car and it was making a metal grinding/rattling sound and would not start. I had it towed over to the ford dealer and 2 days later they looked at it. They stated the water pump catastrophically failed, leaked into the oil pan, overfilled the oil pan and cause coolant/water to be circulated through engine causing no compression and seizing the engine. The dealership said it would have happened pretty quick. I am now in need of a new engine because of the water pump design flaw of fords water pump emptying into the oil pan. Ford customer service says there is no recall or complaints in the federal safety agency database so it is not a problem. But I have gone online and seen this exact complaint from people in many forums, on multiple models. This catastrophic water pump failure and design flaw has been going on for 11 years and ford refuses to do anything about or to help the customer. This is not getting reported correctly or in the right place or simply service centers dont report to this database therefore ford closes thier eyes to problems. I am just glad this did not happen to my wife on her trip to michigan at night on the weekend with kids in the car. It must be an issue if I can find class action lawsuits on thei exact issue. Hold ford responsible, they are going to kill someone or their families.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · Engine · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex. While the vehicle was at a stop, the engine idled roughly and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an oil change was required. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. On another occasion, the engine sputtered violently, causing the contact a delayed return home. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic who stated that they found coolant in the oil and the engine had a blown head gasket. The independent mechanic recommended a new engine. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer (planet ford, 20403 interstate 45 n, spring, tx 77388, (888) 471-0592) where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and confirmed that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Steering · 120,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact had to use extra effort to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to krieger ford, inc. (1800 morse rd, columbus, oh 43229, (614) 888-3320) where it was determined that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Steering · 103,125 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and the check power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering), but the failure recurred numerous times after the recall remedy. The vehicle was taken to santa margarita ford (30031 santa margarita pkwy, rancho santa margarita, ca). The dealer stated that the part was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and case number: 13791060 was provided. The failure mileage was 103,125.

Filed Oct 31, 2017 · Engine · 86,000 miles · AZ

Car has meticulous service record, I had 86k miles on car. The car would not start towed to dealership. The ceramic water pump exploded, causing coolent to mix with oil. Now I need new engine $8,000. I have used same dealership for car maintenance for last 7 years.

Filed Jun 19, 2017 · Steering · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex. The contact stated that there was an eps failure. The steering wheel seized after starting the vehicle and it was extremely difficult to steer each time the failure occurred. The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in any manufacturer recalls to provide a solution for the eps failure. The dealer (citrus motors ford, 1375 s woodruff way, ontario, ca 91761, (855) 902-9523) indicated that it may take up to three days to diagnose the failure and that further testing may be required. The failure mileage was not available.