NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Ford Flex Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Ford Flex has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 64 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford Flex, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Ford Flex owner complaints
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Flex, describing incidents dated June 8, 2012 to December 25, 2025.
Most-cited components
- Steering 24 complaints
- Engine 11 complaints
- Electrical System 10 complaints
- Service Brakes 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
- Unknown or Other 5 complaints
Of the 64 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 64 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11707935 · Filed
There is serious safety trouble occurring with the power steering components, and the brake system. I went to the Ford dealership and they said the recalls weren’t fixed back in 2015. And those recalls are the same issues that are occurring with my 2012 Ford Flex SE now. I just bought this vehicle…
ODI #11707853 · Filed
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent…
ODI #11656456 · Filed
Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant failure that had a Safety recall and it was a 'safety recall'. I couldn't steer my car. Very scary!…
Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly
NHTSA #16V247000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported April 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 695 vehicles
Repair completion: 84.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 16C06 · Owners notified June 9, 2016 · Vehicles built June 17, 2008 – October 6, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
NHTSA #15V340000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice
Reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 393,623 vehicles
Repair completion: 69.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 15S18 · Owners notified July 21, 2015 · Vehicles built September 7, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L 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 fault.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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 will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Ford Flex model years
Check your 2012 Ford Flex VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Flex at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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