NHTSA has 181 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Ford Flex[1]. The biggest group names the engine, with 53 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Engine. 53 complaints[2]. Owners describe the vehicle cutting out while driving or idling, sometimes with little warning. Some say dealers could not find a cause. Others mention an oil leak and an exhaust smell inside the cabin.
- Brakes. 32 complaints[5]. Owners describe grinding and shuddering when stopping, pads replaced more than once, and a pedal that sank to the floor. Some also mention the stability control light flashing at low speed.
- Electrical System. 32 complaints[6]. Owners describe the vehicle losing power while moving, with lights and accessories going dark and power steering and brakes feeling heavy. Many of these stories end with a restart and no clear fix.
- Power Train. 23 complaints[7]. Owners describe stalling, a car that would not slow when they lifted off the gas, a loss of acceleration, and a rough jerk when shifting into reverse.
- Steering. 18 complaints[8].
- Unknown Or Other. 17 complaints[9].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 15 complaints[10].
- Structure. 12 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 Flex is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal (16V247), April 2016. About 695 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 HB FWD/AWD[14] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 15.1% |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2009 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 181 | 1 |
| 2010 | 139 | 1 |
| 2011 | 144 | 2 |
| 2012 | 64 | 2 |
| 2013 | 580 | 6 |
| 2014 | 249 | 4 |
| 2015 | 114 | 4 |
| 2016 | 100 | 3 |
| 2017 | 42 | 4 |
| 2018 | 68 | 3 |
| 2019 | 256 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Flex show 181 complaints and 1 recalls for 2009[3]. Among the 11 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 3 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2017 (42) and the most are for 2013 (580)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2009 Flex?
The complaint record for this Flex centers on the engine group[2], followed by brakes[5] and the electrical system[6]. Owners in those stories often describe the vehicle shutting off while moving, which is worth a careful test drive. Seven complaints mention a crash and six mention injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and the by-year count shows 1 recall[3]. If you are shopping, ask for service records on the engine, brakes and electrical system.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Flex?
- Engine complaints lead with 53[2], then brakes[5] and the electrical system[6], 32 each. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
- Does the 2009 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- Yes. The by-year count shows 1 recall[3]. Details are in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Ford Flex?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2009 Ford Flex reliable?
- NHTSA has 181 complaints on file[1]. Engine, brakes and electrical system are the biggest groups[2][5][6]. These are unverified owner reports, so read the problems section and check service history.
- Is 2009 a good year for the Ford Flex?
- See the by-year comparison on this page. It is built from the complaint and recall counts[3].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Flex
Compare all model years of the Ford Flex
Other Ford models from 2009
Similar cars from 2009: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 181 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Ford Flex (7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,770). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Flex model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 32 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,725). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V247, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV AWD SEL/LIMITED: length 202 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,641 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV FWD SE/SEL/LIMITED: length 202 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,469 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov