Ford Flex hesitation problems

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking excessively and the vehicle briefly hesitated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Engine · 80,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford flex. While driving, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was designed in that manner. The vehicle was not taken to a ford dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Transmission · 75,725 miles · NC

This in reference to the transmission, I have had it looked at and no one can seem to narrow down the exact problem. The vehicle stalls while driving. After stopping and restarting the vehicle it hesitates and the kicks into gear and drives. This doesn't happen every day, but not knowing when the vehicle might stall is troublesome. There is tsb 11-12-10 that describes this problem, the ford dealerships do not have any safety recalls in reference to this.

Filed Aug 17, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 62,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford flex. While driving approximately 5 MPH attempting to merge onto a highway, the vehicle started to lose acceleration and hesitated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact drove to an independent mechanic who determined that the throttle body was clogged and needed cleaning. The contact also stated that the failure occurred at least twenty times during the past eighteen months. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2017 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · PA

Ptu failure - I have had my flex since 2012. I have never had an issue with anything in that vehicle. I am in the military, and I travel a lot. I have that oil changed and tires rotated religiously. Fluids are always topped off. I just turned over 120,000 miles on my 2011 flex, 85 percent of those miles were highway. My flex started hesitating, occasionally. An occasional jerk into gear. Then started making metal-grinding noises, then sputtering. This happened over a 3 month period. I find out my ptu is shot, of course I am over the mileage for the warranty - shocker. So I have to put out 1888.00 to repair this. I started doing some research on ford, and flexes and was shocked to see that the transmission repair facility was very aware of this common issue, in their edge, flex and other full wheel or all wheel drive vehicles. And still no recall.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 38,768 miles · FL

When I put gas in the gas either fill up or even just a cap off on the gas tank, starting the engin is dificult. It hesitates, when trying to start, and has a rough very rough idle. Accelaration is not a problem once we get going, but it is the initial starting of the vehicle that is a problem.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 136,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electronic throttle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000....updated 07/19/16

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · NY

Transmission on flex often hesitates and thunks with a lurch. The lurch is so bad it now feels like we are being hit. It has happened in both forward and reverse. Tried to get it repaired twice at dealer - haven't been able to fix. Online forums with owners and service bulletins describe similar problem. Ford not acknowledging issue or helping.

Filed Sep 22, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 30 miles · WI

After owning the new vehicle for three months it started randomly slipping into neutral. At first, it did this when accelerating from a stop (which is very dangerous in busy intersections, left turns and merging). It now does it then and in addition at highway speeds - 50+. It also at times has engine surges when at a complete stop. It also surges and hesitates at 45mph to highway speeds, at times causing such a speed variance that it will shut cruise control off, slip into neutral and rapidly decelerate before correcting itself. There have been 5 repair attempts at a ford dealership. They have not been able to determine the problem. They sent it home with me until it does it "all the time" or breaks down.

Filed Apr 15, 2011 · Transmission · 4,550 miles · KS

My vehicle will act as if it is in neutral when I pull away from a stop. The engine revs with no forward movement then the transmission "bangs" into gear and the vehicle proceeds. The hesitation could cause an accident. There are numerous reports from other owners on the fordflex.net forum about this, ford has not been able to help me rectify the problem. This happened to me as well, and has happened on 3 occasions ford has looked, but not found any problem or solution.