Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Flex owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact would make several attempts to start the vehicle to regain normal functionality; however, the failure would recur within several hours or several days. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH in a School Zone from a stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the traction control, engine, battery, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact's wife was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that water was detected inside the engine and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 146,000.
The contact's grandmother owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rack and pinion, and power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon her husband starting the vehicle, the vehicle entered limp mode as he exited the driveway. Her husband then drove the vehicle back into the driveway and turned the vehicle off. The next day, her husband started that vehicle and was temporarily able to resume normal driving; however, the vehicle entered limp mode while in traffic as the power train warning light illuminated. Her husband was able to coast the vehicle back home while in limp mode and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body; however, the failure persisted after the part was repaired. The contact made numerous trips back to the dealer; however, the failure persisted after each visit. The contact was then informed to take the vehicle back once the wrench light had illuminated. …
In September 2022 was going down the highway at 70 miles an hour for my vehicle to shut off with no warning lights everything locked up even the steering wheel get it to the side of the road sat there for about 20 minutes the car lights on the inside came back on started it got it home to find out that my coolant or water pump was missing all fluids took it to a repair shop by the name of superior auto repair for them to tell me there was a defect with the water pump but they weren't going to break down the engine for the adjuster to come out to inspect I have found that the type of engine that I do have did have recalls on it for the water pump being faulty causing the engine to seize up and basically having to be replaced
Defective exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifolds are made with two types of metals stainless steel outside and cast iron inside. Well my turbo went out on my car and the vehicle was takin to villa Ford in orange california and they replaced the turbos. Two days later I loose boost again and the turbos exploded chunks of mettle like the first they said they checked to make sure no metal made it to intake and did compression test and all was good. Well I loose boost again and it was metal in turbo and ruptured boot at turbo it turns out the exhaust manifold was breaking off chunks into my intake system. I take it to them again and they replace the exhaust manifold and I tell them to smog it because tags are due. …
Water pump, engine. All of a sudden out of the blue with no indications, warning, leaks, stalls, rough driving, no starts, lights or smells; sent to start car and it was making a metal grinding/rattling sound and would not start. I had it towed over to the Ford dealer and 2 days later they looked at it. They stated the water pump catastrophically failed, leaked into the oil pan, overfilled the oil pan and cause coolant/water to be circulated through engine causing no compression and seizing the engine. The dealership said it would have happened pretty quick. I am now in need of a new engine because of the water pump design flaw of fords water pump emptying into the oil pan. Ford customer service says there is no recall or complaints in the NHTSA database so it is not a problem. But I have gone online and seen this exact complaint from people in many forums, on multiple models. …
It has happened since 2012 sept, when I bought it at 4000km. I was about to start from a traffic light. I let go my brake and 'slightly' onto gas. "nothing at all happened." I push a bit harder and it crank into another gear as I felt like 'galloping'. I brought it to the body shop I knew (8 pm) and was told to go to dealers for transmittion check up. Did so, in 3 days - 'no code' no problem. It happened in November 2012; trying to catch up with traffic on 401 highway - March 2013, moving slowly in scity street - June and oct 2013; from stop - April 2014, June 2015 and about to stop before traffice light - May 2016. I brought it into 2 different delears, 3 private bodyshops. Dealers found nothing - 'no code'; private body shop - water/ air trapped in gas/ fuel line; bad transmission etc. Contacted Ford customer sevices - told to contact local delears, record on file. No solution still. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While the vehicle was at a stop, the engine idled roughly and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an oil change was required. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. On another occasion, the engine sputtered violently, causing the contact a delayed return home. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic who stated that they found coolant in the oil and the engine had a blown head gasket. The independent mechanic recommended a new engine. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer (planet Ford, 20403 interstate 45 n, spring, tx 77388, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Upon acceleration, usually from a complete stop such as accelerating from a stop sign or on a green light, it feels as though the gears do no catch & the car jerks and the RPM's raise but the car stops accelerating. Will also have a "stuttering" or "jerking" while at a complete stop with break pedal being pressed down. I have taken this issue to the dealership as it is still under extended warranty and have been told that everything checked out normal & the mechanic at the dealership was unable to get the vehicle to have such described malfunctions because it is doesn't happen every single time the car is driven. The jerking while driving actually occurs on a daily basis but is sporadic & can jerk you forward due to the sudden loss of acceleration capability, startling and painful because the seatbelt mechanism has engaged in the past.
Engine complaints in other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Ford Flex?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Ford Flex, 22% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Flex engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Ford Flex, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Flex engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.