2012 Ford Flex problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Steering · FM

The Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system failed completely and permanently while driving. This is the exact hardware defect described in Ford Safety Recall 15S18 (the federal safety agency Campaign 15V340000), specifically relating to the internal Motor Position Sensor inside the steering gear assembly. The vehicle and the faulty component are fully available for inspection upon request in Sweden. The power steering assist failed suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was in motion. This caused an immediate, massive increase in steering effort, making the vehicle extremely heavy and difficult to control. A sudden loss of steering assist at driving speeds poses a catastrophic risk of a crash, potentially causing severe injury or death to myself, my family, and other road users. We were very close to crash in to a couple of parked cars. The permanent failure is active and consistently reproducible every time the vehicle is started. However, local authorized Ford dealers in Sweden (such as Hedin Automotive) refuse to officially scan, log, or confirm the repair under the recall protocol solely because the vehicle is a North American import, while Ford US refuses to authorize them to do so. The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to drive to a facility. Furthermore, the manufacturer (Ford) has actively avoided inspecting or handling the vehicle due to geographic boundaries, ignoring formal executive escalations regarding this safety defect. The failure happened instantly while driving, at which point the instrument cluster immediately displayed the "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning message and power assistance was permanently lost.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Body · FL

The B-pillar panels for the Ford Flex are known to be a road hazard. The last recall only included 2016-2019, but ALL Flexes have the same panel design which is an exposed plastic trim panel affixed to the metal door with double-sided tape. The tape fails, the panel flies off at freeway speeds and hits other traffic, or if it has the SecuriCode touchpad, will slap against the Flex, scaring the driver, who can suddenly swerve out of the lane. This happened to our Flex driver's side B-pillar with the Securicode panel twice. The first time I used duck tape to fasten it until the panel was replaced. The second panel which was bought in November 2023, became loose after only one year. After reattaching it in Sept 2025, it detached again, slapping against the body, scaring my wife, and broke into pieces on the highway leaving road debris. The Flex is one of many models Ford has that use the same type of plastic B-pillar with a touchscreen SecuriCode. Other models like the Edge, Explorer and F-150 also use double-sided tape but ALSO have a mechanical fastener that firmly fixes the plastic panel against the metal door. Ford has INTENTLY chosen to NOT use a mechanical primary or secondary fastener for the Flex, which is why the NTHSA receives so many complaints from Flex owners. Parts of a vehicle flying off of it on a highway or freeway is a serious problem and Ford CHOSE to shortcut this when they CLEARLY knew there would be problems. The fact that other models have an improved method of attachment is evidence of their acknowledgement of the problem. After 2 broken panels, it is reasonable that they should replace mine at no cost with an improved one that has similar fixes to panels used in the Edge, Explorer or F-150.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · GA

There is serious safety trouble occurring with the power steering components, and the brake system. I went to the Ford dealership and they said the recalls weren’t fixed back in 2015. And those recalls are the same issues that are occurring with my 2012 Ford Flex SE now. I just bought this vehicle and there is grinding noise when steering my vehicle and the ABS brake system comes on as soon as I crank up the vehicle and the brake goes down to the floor too loosely. The dealership says these potential recalls were noted for this 2012 Ford Flex in 2015. But the owner at the time didn’t have them fixed then because not all 2012 Ford Flex received the recalls at the same time. And the power steering components and brake system problems are very unsafe while I’m driving the vehicle and as I was told could cause a fatal car accident if not fixed.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Steering · 180,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic had heard the abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel but had not run a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and had related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Steering · CA

Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant failure that had a Safety recall and it was a 'safety recall'. I couldn't steer my car. Very scary! please investigate this and make sure that it was fixed right the first time. it should not have gone out. I hardly drive my car. thank you

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Steering · 40,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions, including while the contact was driving. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact researched and was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Steering · CA

vehicle power steering stops working. Manual steering is extremely difficult to operate.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Airbags · LA

Front Passenger seat air bag light is on all the time. should I stop driving the car? Is this dangerous what does it mean? It is a 2012 Ford flex which I love and have not had any trouble with.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Steering · 108,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving 10 MPH and attempting to leave a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After the failure occurred, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was parked, and then the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The contact was awaiting a diagnostic test from the independent mechanic but was informed that the rack and pinion might need to be replaced and the power train control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed May 15, 2024 · Suspension, Wheels · NY

I was driving around 55 and suddenly lost control and fish tailed to the right, then to the left over the center line, then back to the right. Luckily no other vehicles on the road. The rear driver side toe link broke. I discovered there's a recall for this exact problem with the exact possible worst case scenario that I went through. [FORD RECALL CODE: 2oSo4] This recall includes "2013-18 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Sept. 12, 2011, to June 1, 2017" My vehicle was manufactured at the same plant in 02/12 but for some reason is not qualified. I think my 2012 model needs to be included in this recall, obviously. I talked with Ford Dealer and Ford Customer Service and they said they would pass this info to the federal safety agency. I had both links replaced at a local mechanic and hope to get reimbursed in the future.