2012 Ford Flex problems and complaints

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Flex. The most-reported areas: Steering (24), Engine (11), Electrical System (10).

Key takeaways

  • 64 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 4 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering2438%
Engine1117%
Electrical System1016%
Service Brakes813%
Unknown Or Other58%
Fuel/Propulsion System58%
Structure46%
Power Train46%
Air Bags35%
Suspension35%
Vehicle Speed Control35%
Wheels23%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2012 Ford Flex SUV AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5
2012 Ford Flex SUV FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Steering - filed 2025-12-30

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it w...

Steering,service Brakes - filed 2025-12-30

There is serious safety trouble occurring with the power steering components, and the brake system. I went to the Ford dealership and they said the recalls weren’t fixed back in 2015. And those recalls are the same issues that are occurring with my 2012 Ford Flex SE now. I just bought this vehicle and there is grinding...

Steering - filed 2025-04-23

Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant failure that had a Safety recall and it was a 'safety recall'. I couldn't steer my car. Very scary! please investigat...

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More for the 2012 Ford Flex

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.