What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2009–2020) Flex?

Flex owners have made 267 complaints about the 2009–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 52nd out of 94 Ford generations in overall reliability, with some electrical and engine concerns.

Common 2009-2020 Ford Flex Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Flex owners have to deal with.

  1. Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts

    Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core. The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot, and it’s also a great place to trap moisture and promot…

    Continue reading article "Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts"

  2. Door Ajar Light Won't Shut Off

    Ford owners are dealing with a door ajar warning lights that won’t shut off. 2011-2013 Ford Edge owners, in particular, are having this problem in record numbers. The problem happens just outside the car’s standard warranty and has prompted…

    Continue reading article "Door Ajar Light Won't Shut Off" An illuminated door ajar warning light

  3. MyFord Touch Complaints

    Ford's customer satisfaction has been in steady decline since 2010. MyFord Touch was also released in 2010. This is not a coincidence. The system was Ford's attempt at an all-in-one, in-dash communication and entertainment system. What owne…

    Continue reading article "MyFord Touch Complaints"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2009–2020) Flex Key Numbers

  1. 10 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 267 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 52nd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 94 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation (2009–2020) Flex News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core.

    The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. It’s also a great place to trap moisture and encourage corrosion. The end result? A lug nut that’s either too big for a standard wrench or fused so tight you need a drill, welding torch, and 7 Hail Marys to remove it.

    A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design. It also said the automaker is aware of the problems, but won’t honor its warranty by denying any lug nut related claims.…

    keep reading article "The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed"

  2. Ford has issued a small but important electrical recall for 87 vehicles with improperly secured power supply cables.

    The cables are at the starters and alternators and the unsecured connections could cause electrical arcs. Those arcs could easily start fires.

    There are so many recalls these days that it’s no longer shocking when brand new vehicles get called back for repairs. But it really makes you wonder wire these automakers can’t get their act together.

    Puns aside, find out if your vehicle is affected here. It only takes a minute, so watt are you waiting for?

    keep reading article "Unsecured Connections Are Causing Electrical Arcs in Newer Ford Models"

  3. Ford wants the lug nut lawsuit tossed because "the plaintiffs never allege the swollen lug nuts have ever caused physical injuries to any person or damage to any property."

    Ford also says the plaintiffs talk about swollen lug nuts as if the lug nuts should be indestructible and the warranties should last forever, then wrongly "attempt to cast their product-defect allegations as warranty, fraud and unjust-enrichment claims."

    Should lug nuts last forever? Of course not. But they also shouldn't fuse into something harder than a diamond after 10,000 miles on the road.…

    keep reading article "Lug Nut Lawsuit is Baseless According to Ford Attorneys"

  5. Ford has been sued for switching to a 2-piece lug nut design that features an aluminum cap.

    When exposed to the elements, the cap swells in the heat, cracks and delaminates, and corrodes from moisture. This leaves owners and lessees who get flat tires often stranded on the roads without the ability for even tow truck drivers to remove the swollen lug nuts. This means a tow to the shop just to have the lug nuts removed and the tire replaced.

    The two-piece capped lug nuts are cheaper than a one-piece stainless plug, but they look nice because of the cap. Most owners never think twice about the lug nut when buying a vehicle, only to be met with this headache down the road.

    keep reading article "Ford Sued for Using Two-Piece Lug Nuts That Swell"

  6. Busted modules are telling the fuel pumps in 88,000 Ford vehicles to take the day off.

    It should come as no surprise that those modules need to be replaced before those vehicles stall out.

    "Recalled are the 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines. Also included are 2013-2015 Ford Police Interceptors with all engine types."

    There are limited details on when the recall will begin, however build dates of the affected vehicles have been released.

    keep reading article "Faulty Fuel Pump Modules Recalled in the Taurus and Flex"