CarBrief

NHTSA has 139 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Flex[1], and one recall for the driver air bag[2]. Owners in the complaint sample we read describe stalling, power steering loss and brake wear, so those are worth testing on any used car.

139owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Nine mention a crash, 2 a fire and 4 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Here are the largest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[5] 38 74,000
Steering[6] 32 93,428
Brakes[7] 16 21,000
Electrical system[8] 13 79,650
Power train[9] 12 72,000
Fuel/propulsion system[10] 12 101,500

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 8 describe the engine shutting off, stalling or losing power while driving. Some owners say the dealer could not find a cause[5].

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 11 describe the power steering assist cutting out or the wheel becoming very hard to turn[6]. Several mention a warning light and an expensive steering gear or rack repair[6].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 7 describe grinding, worn pads, or rotors and calipers that needed repeated repair[7]. Three describe a hard pedal or much weaker braking, often right after starting the car[7]. The brake complaints have a low median mileage of 21,000[7].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 8 describe a sudden stall or shut down, often with the dash lights or gauges going dark[8]. Some of those owners also lost power steering and brake assist.

The air bag group is small at 8 complaints[11]. Even so, 5 of them mention a crash and 2 an injury[11]. The speed control group has 9 complaints with a median of 20,000 miles[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
3.5L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive[4] 17 / 24 / 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cylinder, all-wheel drive[13] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
3.5L 6-cylinder turbo, 4-wheel drive[14] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700

All three use regular fuel. EPA's cost figures use today's fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

In the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, the 2010 Flex earns 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.1%[15]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA test car list gives 355 hp for a 3.5L 6-cylinder Flex[16]. It also lists a 2010 Flex with an electric motor rated at 262 hp[17]. Our data does not say which trims match which engine.

Size below comes from Canadian-market specifications, and US models can differ slightly.

AWD FWD
Length[18][19] 202 in 202 in
Width[18][19] 76 in 76 in
Height[18][19] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[18][19] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[18][19] 4,641 lb 4,469 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2009: 181 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 139 complaints, 1 recalls13920102011: 144 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 64 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 580 complaints, 6 recalls20132014: 249 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 114 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 100 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 42 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 68 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 256 complaints, 4 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Flex model year. The 2010 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091811
20101391
20111442
2012642
20135806
20142494
20151144
20161003
2017424
2018683
20192564

The 2010 model year has 139 complaints and 1 recall[3]. Five other Flex model years have fewer complaints: 2012 with 64, 2015 with 114, 2016 with 100, 2017 with 42 and 2018 with 68[3]. Five have more: 2009 with 181, 2011 with 144, 2013 with 580, 2014 with 249 and 2019 with 256[3].

On recalls, 2010 and 2009 are tied for the fewest at 1 each[3]. Every other year has between 2 and 6[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2010 Flex?

The 2010 Flex has a middle-of-the-pack complaint count for its model line[3] and only one recall[2]. The complaints we read point to stalling, power steering loss and brake wear, so a long test drive and a brake and steering check are sensible[5][6][7]. Ask a dealer to confirm whether the air bag recall was done on the car you are considering[2]. The AWD versions cost about $350 more a year in fuel than the FWD version by EPA's estimate[4][13]. Owner reports are unverified, so use them as a checklist and not as a prediction.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Flex?
By complaint count, the engine group leads with 38 complaints, then steering with 32 and brakes with 16[5][6][7]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling, power steering loss and brake wear.
Has the 2010 Ford Flex been recalled?
NHTSA lists one recall, 16V247, for the driver frontal air bag, which may not inflate properly in a high speed crash[2][3].
What MPG does a 2010 Ford Flex get?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 17 city, 24 highway and 20 combined MPG[4]. The all-wheel-drive versions are rated 16, 22 and 18[13][14].
Is the 2010 Ford Flex a good year compared with others?
It has 139 complaints, fewer than five other years and more than five others, and 1 recall, tied with 2009 for the fewest[3].
How safe is the 2010 Ford Flex in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.1%[15].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 139 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Flex (9 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 16V247, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Flex model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 38 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 32 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,428). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 16 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 355 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Flex with electric motor: rated 262 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. 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
  19. 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

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.