Ford Flex brake failure problems

Filed May 27, 2025 · Brakes · MI

While driving in a 35mph zone, a complete loss of braking was experienced while coming up to an intersection. The vehicle was unable to stop, not even emergency brake function worked. An independent service center did a postmortem of the brake caliper and confirmed the fastener failure of the caliper bracket. The caliper fasteners sheared off inside the caliper resulting in the caliper piston falling apart while driving. This resulted in complete brake malfunction, and brake fluid leakage. There was no warning or message for this failure. The brakes experienced complete failure without warning.

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Brakes · 43,039 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after releasing the parking brake, the parking brake failed to return to the original position. The contact stated that the “Parking Brake Engaged” warning light was illuminated. The contact went to the local dealer and purchased an upgraded replacement part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,039.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CA

I recently experienced a brake failure on our 2010 ford flex. The right rear brake hose failed due to contact with the tire. This resulted in the brake pedal going to the floor and a significant decrease in braking performance. The brake hose failure was the result of improper routing of the brake line that happened when the caliper was replaced. The issue here is that the brake warning light never activated even after the brake pedal went to the floor several times. I have checked the bulb by putting the car in the run position and found that the brake warning light does illuminate at that time. This happened during normal city driving (no heavy traffic, speeds between 0 and 45 MPH, stopping at red lights and slowing for turns)

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 50,150 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Exiting hwy at 50 MPH, hit brake. Hard brake pedal-no brakes followed by engine full throttle acceleration-vehicle was sent to the ford dealer in oct for a check eng light that couldn't be extinguished. Computer was reflashed with basic prom. No other issues until accident

Filed Dec 25, 2014 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · MD

I went to the local kfc for dinner during my lunch break and when I came back to my vehicle after getting my food inside I started my car and proceeded to put it in reverse. As soon as I put the vehicle in reverse it proceeded to go forward instead. So I checked to make sure I put it in reverse and put the vehicle back in park and then re-engaged reverse and it went forward again. This time the brake pedal went to the floor and the check engine light came on. I immediately called the dealership and they advised me to turn the vehicle off and then on again to see if that fixed the issue. They did not advise me to do a vehicle history report that is equipped with my vehicle to see if the computer could find something. The service adviser at the dealership advised me that he never heard of this issue before and for me to watch it and if it happens again to call roadside assistance and have it towed in since that is a safety issue.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · MI · crash

When pressing the brake pedal the car would not stop or slow. Pedal went to the floor and still no stopping. Crashed into the rear end of another vehicle.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 26,000 miles · MA

While driving 30 MPH the car simply dies. All lights come on and the car just shuts off. Left with no brakes, steering, or control. Dealer brought in engineer, after a week with the car dealer cannot replicate problem. Ford motor company decides nothing is wrong and force me to take dangerous car back. Incident occurred twice in the month of april/may.

Filed Apr 20, 2012 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · CO · crash

2009 ford flex-complete brake failure after sitting for a period of time at high-altitude. Brakes had felt spongy other times but we thought it was due to icy parking lot-as after driving a bit brakes felt ok. This time brakes failed completely resulting in property damage. Car towed to local ford dealership -- they told us the brakes were fine and there have been no issues with brakes on the ford flex--which after researching we know to be false. The brakes still do not feel right upon start-up-brake pedal goes further down before stopping; we now wait a period of time before driving--we are afraid to drive car but don't have the money to purchase a different automobile-and don't want to pass a dangerous car to another family.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · CO

I am the owner of a 2010 ford flex, VIN #[xxx]. My vehicle suffers from episodic brake failures. This occurs as the vehicle is first driven off and the engine is cold. Braking power is then reduced to 10% of normal, resulting in alarmingly long stopping distances. Once driven a few miles the brakes resume normal function. The issue surfaced at 20,000 miles in january 2010. The vehicle was serviced under warranty for this problem at least 4 times. This issue has been pinpointed to a probable vacuum loss present only on these vehicles that are driven at altitude above 7000 feet and share the flexes?? Ecoboost awd drive train. I live at 9000 ft. The service manager at my local dealership, summit ford of silverthorne colorado, has acknowledged I am not alone with a vehicle experiencing this dangerous mechanical problem but admits to being unable to fix it and has nothing further to offer. To date I have not been involved in a collision. However in the last 12 months I have had a few distressing close calls. Ford motor co. Was initially alerted of this situation by phone in april 2010 with a call to their consumer resolution center. My request for help is being ignored by ford motor company. My phone calls are not returned, my emails are ignored, even certified mail is not acknowledged. It has been my desire to work with ford motor company on solving this issue but I have exhausted all avenues. Ford refuses to acknowledge my communications, ford has been alerted to this public safety issue but has obviously chosen to disregard it. I hope alerting this organization will generate some action before an injury occurs. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 25,000 miles · DE

I purchased my flex new on oct 2009 and it has shut off while driving three times since I bought it. The first time it happened I was driving through my neighborhood (with my children in the car with me) at 20mph all the warning lights came on my engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes. Luckily I was able coast to the side of the street. I waited a few minutes and it wouldn't start. I tried to start it again and it started up. The second time I was driving on the highway(with my children in the car with me) at 55mph engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes and check engine light came on, I coasted to the shoulder, waited a few minutes and it started right up. I took it to the dealership; they told me they couldn't find any issues that would cause the vehicle to turn off while driving so they didn't attempt to fix it. The third time was last week while driving through my neighborhood(with my children in the car with me) at 20 MPH, engine shut off, loss of power steering, loss of brakes and check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership again and again they told me that they couldn't duplicate the issue so they didn't attempt to fix it. My children were in the car with me all three times. I've taken to the dealership 3 times for this issue and they cant duplicate the issue so they can't find the problem so they didn't even attempt to fix it. I just dropped it off this week for the fourth time. Its very frustrating to have this issue especially since im scared to drive the vehicle with my kids in the car. I feel its a huge safety issue. Its a total inconvenience to have to keep going back to the dealership and drop off my vehicle. I have three children and need a dependable vehicle. Luckily we weren't injured but im worried that the next time it happens an injury could occur. Why hasn't ford listed this issue in their tsb!