Ford Flex tire blowout problems

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Wheels · IN

On February 26, 2026, I purchased a used 2009 Ford Flex VIN from Header’s Auto Sales. At time of delivery, the vehicle was equipped with tires that did not meet the manufacturer’s required load rating for this vehicle. A licensed mechanic provided a safety assessment confirming the tires were improperly load-rated and unsafe to carry the vehicle load. We were not informed of this issue at sale. To make the vehicle safe to drive, I replaced all 4 tires at my cost. Improper load-rated tires can result in tire failure, loss of vehicle control, and crash. Dealer sold vehicle "as-is" without disclosure of this safety defect.

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Tires · MN

I am reporting repeated structural failures involving Cooper Zeon RS3‑G1 tires (size 255/45R20) installed on my 2016 Ford Flex AWD. These failures include steel belt exposure, rubber separation, and premature carcass breakdown, all occurring at under 30,000 km (~18,600 miles). This represents catastrophic structural failure well before even half of the expected service life for comparable performance all‑season tires. The failures occurred across two separate sets of RS3‑G1 tires under normal driving conditions. The tires were properly inflated, aligned, rotated, and used seasonally. This is not treadwear, misalignment, or maintenance‑related — it is structural degradation of the tire body. Structural separation with exposed belts presents a serious safety hazard, including the potential for sudden air loss or blowout at highway speeds. Risk is further elevated on AWD vehicles due to driveline sensitivity to uneven rolling diameters or abrupt tire failure. I contacted Cooper/Goodyear beginning 03 NOV 2025, providing detailed written documentation of the failures. The only responses received were generic treadwear/warranty templates that did not address the structural issues reported. I explicitly requested written‑only communication and provided a clear response window plus a 2‑week grace period. No substantive written response was ever provided. All defective tires remain mounted on wheels and stored indoors. I have a complete photographic evidence package and a preserved written correspondence record, available upon request.

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 30,000 miles · CA

On monday, sept 28, 2020 at approximately 10:30 am while driving southbound on interstate 5 (just before the west mountain view overpass in firebaugh ca) doing 70 MPH, the car began fishtailing erratically - swerving between lanes. Fortunately, the driver was able to maneuver the car to the right shoulder of the interstate without hitting anything or anyone or even rolling the vehicle. (at the time there was an average amount of traffic on the road.) we initially believed that what we had experienced was a blowout, but after inspection, all the tires were found to be intact. We then surmised that we had possibly hit something on the road (like a blown tire remnant), but also found nothing. The driver and both passengers got back in the car to see if we could proceed slowly/safely down the interstate to the next exit in order to call for service but the car immediately began to fishtail again, so we called for a aaa tow from the interstate. While waiting for the tow to arrive, we reinspected the tires and found the right rear tire to be turned out slightly. The car was towed via flat bed 124 miles to a ford dealer in bakersfield where it was subsequently determined to be a failed toe link suspension associated with ford recall 20s04. The issue now is that the remedy is not yet available so the original style part was used to repair just the broken part the dealer claims to have inspected the left toe link suspension and found no reason to replace it.

Filed Feb 14, 2020 · Wheels · 9,500 miles · TX

My ford flex is equipped with hankook optimo h426 tires. At approximately 9,500 miles the vehicle began to vibrate. I've taken it to the shop 5 times and everything except the tires has been ruled out. After visiting a web site I found literally hundreds of complaints about these tires causing everything from vibration to blowouts. I am currently driving a rental while my car is in the shop that has the same tires. It has the same vibration. The event generally begins at about 60 to 65 MPH however the vibration has been noticed as low as 40 MPH. When it starts at a low speed it turns into a violent shaking that scares the heck out of me enough that I pull off the road and wait untill my nerves settle to continue driving. Today is february 14 2020. The vibration has been occuring since about october 25 2019.

Filed Sep 6, 2019 · Engine · 178,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford flex. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a popping noise coming from the vehicle and the air conditioning began to blow out hot air. The contact also noticed that the vehicle began to lose power, overheat, and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to ken garff west valley ford (4091 w 3500 s, west valley city, ut 84120, 801- 559-0314) where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and caused the vehicle to overheat. The contact stated that the entire engine was ruined due to the failure and was informed that an engine replacement would cost approximately $8,000. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 178,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Wheels · 24,963 miles · SC

During a routine oil change and multipoint inspection on 10-2-2018, it was brought to my attention that I needed new tires in the very near future. My odometer read 24,963. I have already replaced the right front tire due to a blow out. On the attached document, tire tread depth for the 3 tires not replaced is indicated as "attention required" 3/32" and less". I purchased the car in november 2017 with approximately 6,000 miles indicated on the odometer. The advisor at the ford service center was very surprised and puzzled. She checked to see if the tires had a recall notice, but they did not.

Filed Aug 27, 2018 · Tires · 60,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford flex equipped with hankook optimo h426 tires, size: 255/45r20. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a humming noise coming from the front driver and passenger tires. The contact noticed that both tires began to shred. The contact stated that both tires were replaced by ford, but the failure recurred. Tidelands ford lincoln (9387 ocean highway, pawleys island, south carolina 29585, (843) 237-3673) was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the tire manufacturer (hankook) was made aware of the recurring failure and stated that the failure was cosmetic. The tires were not replaced upon the second occurrence. The tires were original equipment prior to the replacements. The tire failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed May 13, 2016 · Tires · 31,100 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford flex equipped with hankook tires, tire line: optimo h426, tire size: 255/45r20 n/a, and dot number: 5112polh0413. The contact stated that the both front tires and the rear tires were missing large pieces of the tire treads. The contact took the tires to the dealer who diagnosed that all four treads were disintegrating and all four tires needed to be replaced. The tires were not replaced. The tires were the original tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,100 and the tire failure mileage was also 31,100.

Filed May 13, 2014 · Tires · 77,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford flex equipped with michelin mxv4 tires, size: 235/60r18. The contact was driving 50 MPH and heard an abnormal popping sound followed by the tire pressure warning light illuminating. The vehicle then began to shake violently. The contact was able to safely coast to the side of the road where it was discovered that the tread on the rear passenger's side tire was separated. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where the tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage of the vehicle was 77,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Tires · 95,000 miles · MI

I purchased four tires approximately four months ago. In the last week, three of those tires developed bulges in them, which could've resulted in a blowout. I was concerned for my family and my safety because I drive the highway frequently, transporting my children to and from school. I immediately went to the shop where I purchased the tires. Tire one was replaced with a road hazard warranty. I did not pay for the cost of another tire. Just yesterday, two more tires were replaced for the same issue, a bulge. The shop manager told me it was due to road conditions such as potholes and there was nothing I could do about it and it would continue to happen as long as the roads are bad. Later that same evening, my low tire pressure light came on and by the next morning, on the way to dropping my husband off to work, he noticed the tire just replaced the day before was flat. When I contacted the tire manufacturer, toyo tires, they said the same thing the tire shop said, indicating that it was due to road conditions. Basically, that is just the way it is with that type of vehicle/tire design. I think some investigation should be done with the tires, as this does not sound normal. This is the first time I have ever had tire issues and I drive in treacherous climates all the time.