2014 Ford Flex: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MN

Driving down road at 45MPH, vehicle lost power, motor quite running. Due to being on 4 lane divided road, and cars all around, I quickly hit my hazard lights, put it in neutral and coasted best I could and was able to turn on a side road to safety. This was very dangerous. Dash lights were on, no warning lights, messages before, during or after event. Tried restarting vehicle and it cranked away. Figured out had to repush the push start button to keep it from cranking away longer. Towed to local Ford dealer. They determined cause to be Fuel Pump Driver Module failed, (explains engine stop since there was no fuel supply, and needed replacement. In addition I had another issue, they found water pump was leaking out weep hole. I then discovered they built the water pump into the engine block, behind the timing chain. It takes 13 hours to replace, and if you don't replace, the water goes into the engine oil. Very bad design, knowing it would need to be replaced. Cost over $2500 and 1 week to change a water pump! Ridiculous. I know a class action lawsuit has been filed-while not a safety issue directly, I think many people will not change it (due to expense), and then the engine blows up while driving creating a safety hazard.

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Steering · 150,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, requiring excessive force while steering the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

We were experiencing an intermittent electrical issue where the vehicle would crank but not start every time. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on two separate occasions and the mechanic was unable to properly test the vehicle and/or recreate the problem. After some further research, I found a recall on slightly older VIN numbers for this model Flex. The recall for the Fuel Pump Control Module: Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump Recall date 2016-08-24 Recall no. 16V621000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump. Recall consequence: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall action: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31. In addition, I located a forum of owners who were experiencing the same issues. These individuals either replaced the component themselves or had the service performed by a mechanic. https://www.fordflex.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=212782&sid=6b719ac74855e58a8f26cce53f76b60f#p212782 We are the single owners of this vehicle, and the miles are low at 38,036. I replaced the Fuel Pump Control Module GA8Z-9D370-A several days ago and it started immediately, without exception or issue. I saved the part in case the federal safety agency needs it for any testing. I would urge the consideration of expanding the coverage of recalls to include more VINs since the risk for engine shutdown could cause a crash.

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Steering · IL

My vehicle steering system had a loss of communication/loss of power to the electrical power steering. It nearly resulted in a very bad accident at an elementary school drop-off. I recorded a video of what is happening after the fact for documentation. Basically, it sounds as though there is a known communication issue from the fully electric steering to the primary electrical system on the vehicle. It appears from my reading that this is a known problem. I would strongly consider this to be a recall issue as it could be catastrophic and potentially deadly.

Filed Dec 3, 2022 · Steering · NC

I was driving and lost all power steering.

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Steering · 89,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. On another occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Steering · TN

Loss of power steering while turning left at low speed. Steering warning lit and alert for steer assist and service vehicle. Steering wheel extremely difficult to move off center. Car power cycled off then on which cleared warning. Power steering appeared to be restored.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Steering · 25,000 miles · TX

Family road trip approximately 450 miles from home. No power steering immediately upon cold start - warning chime and warning display on instrument cluster stating loss of power steering control and to contact dealer for service. Wife said this same warning light illuminated after cold starting the vehicle approximately 3 days before, but turning the ignition off and restarting eliminated the warning light and she was able to drive the vehicle home without further incident. We recalled the same thing happening approximately 2 years ago while on a family road trip after we cold-started the vehicle and drove approximately 2-3 blocks before we lost power steering while driving between 30-35mph. Fortunately, we were in a relatively empty downtown area with very little traffic when I lost power steering in conjunction with warning chime and visual warning on instrument cluster. I pulled to a stop, restarted the vehicle and everything was back to normal. Also fortunate that I was driving when losing power steering when the vehicle was in motion. No recurrence of this issue until this past week. Had to have vehicle towed to the nearest ford dealer while on our family road trip yesterday and had to make the 450 mile drive back home in a small rent car. Then, we received the dreaded call from the ford dealer saying the diagnostic fault code says we need a new power steering rack for $2,800.00 this is concerning since its obviously a known issue that resulted in a limited recall for the 2011 thru 2013 model years. Our vehicle was manufactured in late 2013 but is a 2014 model, leaving me to wonder if the steering rack on my wife's car was defective all along. Per the ford dealer and the ford website, our VIN did not qualify for this 2015 recall.

Filed Aug 8, 2020 · Steering · 154,100 miles · FL

Power steering is getting hard to turn especially at low speed. Feels as if the power steering is intermittent. There are no warning lights or any other notifications of a problem, but it does exist. It appears to be loss power steering assist and became difficult to steer in either direction. I have been informed that a recall on other ford flex models with power steering assist but not 2014 year...this year was the beginning of it creation you would think you would started with recalls from the begin of development not working backwards... I hope if I get the repair I will e refunded if the issue turns in a mandated recall... The steering is tight to turn at slow and fast speeds.

Filed Jul 10, 2020 · Steering · 55,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford flex. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became difficult to steer in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Engine · 72,600 miles · MN

Engine turbo failure while driving on highway during a longer road trip (~600 miles, majority at highway speeds). This is the v6 ecoboost engine. I was informed by dealership repair shop that it 'fell apart' and parts of it were sucked back into the engine. Significant knocking and pop sound from engine while driving; significant loss of power when accelerating.

Filed Apr 12, 2019 · Fuel system · 42,693 miles · MI

I stopped the vehicle after driving about 1 mile to go into a store. After 4 minutes parked, it would crank over, but not start. It had to be towed to southgate ford. They diagnosed it as a bad fuel pump control module. This is the very same part that's recalled on certain ford flex models of this same year (2014). The service department said my VIN number didn't fall under the recall, even though the identical part is recalled on 2014 ecoboost and police duty . Vehicles. The dealer charged $386.65 to repair. If this failed while driving I would have suddenly lost power assist and speed.