2011 Ford Flex: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Ford Flex: 2 recalls, 144 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #15V340000 · 2015 · 393,623 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engine and Lincoln mkz hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford taurus, Ford flex, Lincoln mks, and Lincoln mkt vehicles equipped with a 3.5l gtdi engine and 2013 Ford taurus, Ford flex, Lincoln mks, and Lincoln mkt vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that May shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor…
Why it matters: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the power steering control module (pscm) for diagnostic trouble codes (dtc). If dealers find any loss of steering assist dtcs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the pscm inspection, the pscm software…
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V247000 · 2016 · 695 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver frontal air bag May improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (57): the most common themes are steering problems (52), warning light on (13).
- Engine (25): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), warning light on (7), noise or vibration (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (19): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), leaks (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Other / unknown (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), leaks (2).
The 2011 Ford Flex has 144 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 11 Flex model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 175). Complaints peaked in 2015 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 73,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (139 complaints, 1 recalls), 2012 (64 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Ford Flex.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2011 Ford Flex have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Flex problems?
Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (57), engine (25), transmission & drivetrain (19).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Flex get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Ford Flex repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.