2014 Ford Flex: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · OR

Without warning, the vehicle's power steering stopped working in an intersection while turning. The hazard lights came on automatically and I used my full body strength to steer the car out of the intersection. Inspection showed a computer module failure within the steering rack. Because the computer module is built into the steering rack, the whole steering rack needed to be replaced. This was a critical repair and cost over $3500.

Filed Mar 29, 2024 · Steering · ID

Sudden loss of control due to power steering failure . No accident, was able to recover.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Steering · MI

Power Steering Assist Fault. We drove the vehicle from Detroit to the Florida Keys and back. We were on mountain roads and small bridges along the way. As we pulled into the driveway at home the Power Steering Assist Fault message dinged and displayed on the dashboard. The steering is locked straight forward, and the vehicle is stuck in the driveway until a tow truck can pull it out and deliver to a dealer for repairs. A recall exists for many other Flex and Ford vehicles with the same steering. This vehicle MUST be included for free repairs as well. My wife has had nightmares since the return of us jumping the Seven Mile Bridge or diving off a cliff in West Virginia and we would be dead along with the cousins riding with us and any other vehicle we hit with completely locked steering. We were exceedingly lucky this time. There can not be a next time.

Filed May 20, 2023 · Steering · AK

Electric assisted power steering failure. No warning lights, no warning of failure whatsoever. Unable to steer vehicle while driving. Problem was confirmed by mechanic that the steering rack needed replacement.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Steering · NJ

Power steering intermittently stops working and the steering wheel becomes almost locked in place. This first occurred approximately 6-8 months ago, but has gotten more frequent in occurrence and longer in duration. I have seen multiple complaints about this issue, but so far, there is no active safety recall. My vehicle was manufactured in the Oakville Plant, which was part of the recall for a very similar problem with 2011-2012 Ford Flexes (see Safety Recall 15S18) and although my vehicle is a 2014, it seems to have very similar issues. No steering or warning lights come on, the wheel just becomes very slow, almost like it is full manual steering.

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 Sep 12, 2022 · Steering · 140,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault warning message had flashed twice on the instrument panel; however, the power steering continued to operate as needed. The contact then stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the warning message flashed as the power steering assist failed to operate as designed. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to the residence. Several days later, an independent mechanic went to the residence and drove the vehicle back the shop without failure. The mechanic determined that the vehicle needed to be serviced by an authorized Ford dealer. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a defective electric power steering rack. The contact then called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000

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 Jul 25, 2022 · Steering · 48,070 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the power steering assist failure message was displayed. The contact was able to drive home safely. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the vehicle regained power steering assist functionality. The dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,070.

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Steering · ID

On two occasions over the past 2 weeks the power steering has failed while my daughter was driving the car. She said was able to safely "force" the car to the side of the road at which time she turned the car off. Upon restarting the car the warning was gone and the power steering worked again. There was no warning that this was going to happen and luckily she was on a straight portion of road. She commented that had she been on a curved road she would not have been able to negotiate the turn. She has stated that the dash indicated that the power steering assist warning light illuminated after or about the same time as it failed each time and then cleared once the ignition was turned off and then back on. We researched this and it appears to be the same issue indicated in the federal safety agency campaign number 15v340000 (steering).

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Steering · 100,000 miles · MN

Sudden electric assist steering loss while driving on highway. Vehicle extremely difficult to control, occupants in danger of loss of life from catastrophic crash. This is a known issue to ford motor company. They have recalled other years of electric assist on ford flex, however not 2014. We were not aware of this extremely dangerous part being installed on our flex. Ford motor company did not contact us with any warning or recall. They simply stated that some parts from earlier recalled models could have been assembled on our vehicle. Since they knew that this could have been assembled on some 2014 vehicles, theyshould've informed us of the safety hazard. We are not alone. The ford flex owners forum is full of scary details of other families losing steering on their 2014 flex while driving at highway speed. No one should have to die because ford has not taken responsibility & alerted its customers.