The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
2011 Ford Flex: loss of power steering
29 of the 144 complaints about the 2011 Ford Flex describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 29
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 111,500
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
Electric Power Steering lights up and steering wheel locks up, can hardly make it move at it. We turn the car off and turn it back on. Sometimes the power steering returns, sometimes it doesn't and we can't drive the car. We called the dealer after this happened and they said it was an ECOBOOST Flex and wasn't included in the Safety Recall 15S18 the federal safety agency (.gov) Jul 1, 2015 — If any "loss of steering assist" DTCs are present, replace the power steering gear assembly. It seems that this is the exact problem as noted in the recall but Ford dealership will not fix it for free. Ford gave me a PDF that explains they are not responsible for this safety issue and cannot provide free repairs because my car is OVER 150,000 miles. My car now has 200,000 miles and I have had the car serviced at this same dealer for oil changes/tire rotation and they never told me about this recall. The purpose of this repair is to update the PSCM to prevent loss of steering assist while driving due to a motor position sensor fault or replace the steering gear if the PSCM has certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).Jul 1, 2015
Loss of power steering driving down interstate. Service power steering and service advance Trac lights came on. Had to call for tow
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact would make several attempts to start the vehicle to regain normal functionality; however, the failure would recur within several hours or several days. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH in a School Zone from a stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the traction control, engine, battery, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed the VIN was not under recall, nor were the repairs covered under warranty. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 125,436.
When we turned car on a continuous dinging occurred and “power steering assist failure - notice came on - completely impossible to drive - husband drove it home it was extremely difficult - he’s a very big and strong man - it is my main vehicle and I can’t steer it at all - then on line found the recall info that matches the year our vehicle was made - our ford dealership is claiming there’s issues - there should be no issue as it’s a clear admit from ford re: our vehicle - please email or call me at [XXX] . Mahalo from Maui - [XXX] please help. Aloha INFORMATIONREDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated when he first entered the vehicle and started the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left and right and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact stated he contacted an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,827.
Power steering went out while backing out of a parking spot and warning popped up on dash with power steering fault and making the wheel super stiff and hard to turn
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality intermittently. The traction control warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard an alarm and became aware that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact called cleveland ford located at 2496 s lee hwy, cleveland, tn 37311, (423) 218-1622 and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 171,234.
My vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort is required at lower speeds. It feels unsafe when steering at low speeds.
My steering wheel will consistently lose power steering in a turn esp[ecially noticeable at low speeds. It appears to only happen when I'm turning left at this point. I have checked fluids and there is no damage to the steering box.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Recall number 15V340000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Ford Flex power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2011 Ford Flex?
29 of 144 owner complaints about the 2011 Ford Flex (20%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Ford Flex?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Ford Flex
Engine failure 12Loss of power 9Stalling 8Steering lock-up 7Check engine light 5
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