CarModelProblems.com

2009 Ford Flex Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
180Complaints
1Recalls
7Crashes
2Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (20% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Engine complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine36 · 20%No official action
Electrical System30 · 16.7%No official action
Power Train19 · 10.6%No official action
Steering17 · 9.4%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15 · 8.3%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System15 · 8.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE36 · 20%
POWER TRAIN19 · 10.6%
Unspecified / other17 · 9.4%
STEERING17 · 9.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15 · 8.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM15 · 8.3%
SERVICE BRAKES14 · 7.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13 · 7.2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10 · 5.6%

Percentages are the share of the 180 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · 2016 · reported 04/26/2016

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CAR STALLED AT LOW SPEED. STARTED AGAIN WHEN STOPPED AND IN PARK. DURING EVENT, NO POWER STEERING / BRAKES AVAILABLE. NOT A SAFE CONDITION.”NHTSA complaint 10722268 — filed 05/29/2015 · ENGINE
“ENGINE STUMBLED AND THEN LOST POWER. IT RE-STARTED BUT IDLED AT 750RPM. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PLACING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR…”NHTSA complaint 10638546 — filed 09/23/2014 · ENGINE
“VEHICLE HAS HAD RADIATOR COOLING FAN(S) FAILURE(S) RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND OVERHEATING.”NHTSA complaint 10588180 — filed 05/13/2014 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

322010231420121743201422212016152420182672020522022332025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Flex?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 36 of 180 NHTSA complaints (20%), followed by electrical system (30), power train (19), unspecified/other issues (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2009 Ford Flex have?

180 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2009 Ford Flex have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 16V247000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Ford Flex's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.