Ford Flex engine failure problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine · KY

On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 I drove my car without issue and parked in my garage. I later came out and while getting something out of the passenger side noticed fluid leaking out from under the car. After looking at it I decided it looked like the water pump. When I turned the car on it began making engine sounds (no check engine light has come on). With the sound I decided to have the car towed to a mechanic and was told the water pump failed. I chose to have it towed to another mechanic for a second opinion because of the sound and after testing was discovered that the engine is done for. I received no check engine light notification or any other indication that something was wrong. We have kept up with all maintenance for this vehicle so there’s absolutely no reason the water pump or engine should be failing with under 93,000 miles on it. Since we owe $10,000 on the car still we are forced to make the repair with a new engine putting us in a catastrophic financial situation. Water pumps are a known issue with the flex, but for it to occur at such low mileage is insane and for the engine to have failed without any warning is disgusting. On top of this there was a recall for the backup camera in 2024 that still has not been resolved. Our backup camera is upside down, cuts in and out and is not a clear image. We have been dealing with this since shortly after purchasing the vehicle in 2022. When reversing at night I can’t see because the screen is upside down and fuzzy, and when I try to use my mirrors to reverse I am blinded by the light from the screen in the car. Reversing, especially at night, is a huge liability since the drivers vision is not clear. I’ve contacted ford multiple times for an update on the camera recall and have been told there’s no update at this time. We’re going on 3 years of being notified of this recall with zero resolution. I have uploaded a few pictures (estimate is from initial mechanic). I have videos but they will not upload.

Filed May 10, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · MI

I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I got the vehicle and I have been told they are just sensors from multiple mechanics and that they don't mean anything. As it relates to the issues, the brakes, calipers, and wheel bearings have given out twice WHILE DRIVING without any sort of warning up until they seized! The strut on the front passenger side has broken for no known reason and the power steering system has been non stop eating power steering fluid with no leaks. Since I have gotten this vehicle, I have put OVER 7,000 dollars worth of work into it. This went to fixing the brake calipers, brakes, rotors, all the steering mechanisms (tie rods, sway bars, etc.) and wheel bearings twice, trying to figure out why coolant flew out of the vehicle for no known reason, trying to figure out where the power steering fluid is going, all to no avail. I have had multiple mechanics look at and check all the components of the vehicle, and they can't even figure out what is going on other than things just fail without warning non stop. There is something wrong with these vehicles, EVERY SINGLE OWNER OF A 2011 FORD FLEX THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS SAID THE SAME EXACT THING, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS I AM, AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY! THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND A CHECK FOR THE PRICE OF A PERFECT 2011 FORD FLEX GIVEN TO EVERY 2011 FORD FLEX OWNER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS AS THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEM AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL AS PASSENGERS IN THE FLEX AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE! A 2011 FOR FLEX IN PERFECT CONDITION IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY $15,000, FORD SHOULD BE SUED FOR THIS! My vehicle is available for inspection when necessary, thank you!

Filed May 8, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WI

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? INTERNAL WATER PUMP/ TIMING CHAINS/ VVT SOLENOIDS/ CAM PHASERS/ CAM SENSORS/ RELATED SEALS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? ENGINE FAILURE - SUDDEN STOP OF VEHICLE Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES, IS AWARE AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED VIA SERVICE AND TECH BULLETINS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATED ISSUE. ISSUE IS KNOWN AND COMMON WITH ALL 3.7L AND 3.5L FORD ENGINES. MANUFACTURER HAS HAD PETTY AND CLASS ACTION SUITS RELATED TO THIS FAILURE AND IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO REMEDY ASIDE FROM A "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR CERTIAN COUNTRIES BUT SAID WARRANTY DOES NOT HELP THOSE WHO PURCHASED VEHICLES USED AND HAVE NO VEHICLE HISTORY TO SEE IF THE "SERVICE INTERVALS" WERE MET LEAVING THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH REPAIR BILLS THAT COST AT MINIMUM OVER FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES. MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS ON MY VEHICLE AD WELL AS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE WORLD. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO LAMPS. ONLY POSSIBLE WAY YOU CAN EVEN TELL IS BY THE TIME ITS TOO LATE AND THE COOLANT AND OIL MIX RESULTING IN MILKY LIKE MIXTURE ON DIPSTICK OR IN OIL PAN OR ENGINE FAILURE.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Steering · 140,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and steering angle and torque sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Engine · OH

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and potentially dangerous safety defect involving the internal water pump design in the 3.5L Duratec V6 engine used in my 2017 Ford Flex. The water pump in this engine is mounted internally behind the timing chain cover. When the pump fails, coolant is not externally visible but instead leaks directly into the engine oil. This design prevents early detection and warning, leading to rapid and catastrophic engine failure without adequate notice to the driver. In my case, the water pump failed suddenly, allowing coolant to contaminate the engine oil. This resulted in total engine failure and immediate loss of vehicle operability.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Engine · SC

Coolant Intrusion - Water pump leaked inside the engine, causing engine failure. The engine has to be replaced. This has been a known problem with this model and has been fixed/covered by the warranty.

Filed Jun 17, 2024 · Steering · VA

The contact's client owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her and her client were driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and the vehicle failed to steer as intended. The vehicle was taken to a parking lot and turned off. The vehicle was restarted after a while and a “Service Power Steering Now” message displayed, and the steering wheel seized and would not turn as needed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Electrical · 26,000 miles · FL

The contact's husband owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine servicing, the dealer informed the contact that the battery was severely corroded and was fractured. The dealer replaced the battery under warranty. Additionally, the contact stated while at a complete stop at a crosswalk, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she shifted into park(P) and attempted to restart the vehicle several times by pressing the Push to Start button, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal and shifted into neutral(N). The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact's husband arrived at the scene and opened the hood. The contact’s husband then noticed that the battery was corroded. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The part was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the battery was smoking; upon inspection, the dealer determined that the battery was corroded, fractured, and was leaking. The dealer determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the A/C compressor had disintegrated and was preventing the vehicle from starting. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Sarasota Ford (707 S Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236), where it was diagnosed that the A/C Compressor had seized, and the A/C clutch had failed and was stuck. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: [XXX] (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed after waiting for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brake master cylinder, the brake booster, the vacuum pump, the brake calipers, the brake check valve, the brakes lines, and the brake pedal sensor were replaced. Additionally, the ECM was replaced and reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the brake fluid was hot after driving 15-20 miles. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Steering · 141,000 miles · ND

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was linked 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 141,000.