2010 Ford Flex problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Flex, most often about steering. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
25
Recalls
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
141,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 25 complaints (28%).
  • Suspension (5) and engine (4) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 141,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2010 Ford Flex has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 11 Ford Flex model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 47% more complaints than the 2009 model year (17).

2010 Ford Flex problems by category

  • Steering
    7 complaints
  • Suspension · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Brakes
    2 complaints
  • Electrical System
    2 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    2 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Steering6
Suspension5
Fuel/propulsion system3
Engine3
Wheels2
Unknown or other2
Electrical system2
Power train1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k260k–100k5100k–150k4150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2010 Ford Flex complaints that list mileage.

2010 Ford Flex recalls (1)

  • Recall 16V247000Apr 26, 2016695 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. 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."

    Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Recent 2010 Ford Flex complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 20, 2025IDSteering
    Leaving home to go to the grocery store and as I exited my street a dash warning came on stating "Power Steering Assist" fault Steering wheel locked up making it impossible for me to steer. Fortunately this happened in a spot where there was no other traffic and I was able to just turn off the car and restart and the message was gone and my steering was restored. I am now terrified to drive my car because if this had happened in traffic there could have been a serious…
    NHTSA complaint #11688616 · source
  2. Filed Jul 11, 2024119,000 miNJTowedSteering
    The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a metal clicking and scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the wheels felt loose. The contact stated that a nearby driver informed her that sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver identified that the rack and pinion had…
    NHTSA complaint #11601196 · source
  3. Filed Apr 11, 2024KSCrashTowedSuspension
    While traveling at highway speeds 75+ a loud bang and then control of vehicle was hard to keep on road, swerved left then right, left rear quarter panel hit guard rail and caused car to spin around and went sideways and backwards down a 30 ft embankment. Fortunately did not roll. left side tires came off of rims and damage to driver side door was done. Highway Patrol had car towed to holding lot, where I then got car towed to my mechanic. The left side Lateral stabilizer Rod…
    NHTSA complaint #11582315 · source
  4. Filed Mar 22, 2024NYSteering
    Vehicle loses power steering intermittently upon vehicle startup as well as in motion. Vehicle is then extremely hard to control without power steering. Message " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" prints to the instrument cluster above the steering wheel. Turning the vehicle off and back on may resolve problem but it returns within a couple key cycles.
    NHTSA complaint #11578913 · source
  5. Filed Mar 18, 2024102,000 miGABrakes
    The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed after waiting for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brake master cylinder, the brake booster, the vacuum pump, the brake calipers, the brake check valve, the brakes lines, and…
    NHTSA complaint #11578032 · source
  6. Filed Oct 31, 2023148,000 miCAEngine
    The contact owns a 2010 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 3 attempts. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the oil mixing with the coolant. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11552870 · source
  7. Filed Mar 20, 2023TXTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving car suddenly losses power and the wrench light comes on. Loss of power with the car transmission wont move the car at all. have to pull over and turn off car about 5min then start it back up and now everything works with no codes. Happened 3 times.VERY DANGEROUS BECUASE CAR LOSSES POWER AND CARS BEHIND YOU ALMOST HITS YOU.
    NHTSA complaint #11512893 · source
  8. Filed Mar 19, 2023IDElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
    constant failure of the blend door actuator causes a clicking noise in the cabin upon starting the vehicle, or switching from vent mode to defrost mode. Also happens intermittently when activating the air conditioning. the clicking is loud enough to be heard from outside the vehicle. Unit has been replaced 4 times in 2 years. usually only lasts about a month before the unit starts to click again.
    NHTSA complaint #11512622 · source

Compare the 2010 Ford Flex with another vehicle →

Other 2010 Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology