2012 Ford Flex Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  18%
• 25k–50k
  323%
• 50k–75k
  323%
• 75k–100k
  215%
• 100k–150k
  323%
• 150k+
  18%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Flex owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving 10 MPH and attempting to leave a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After the failure occurred, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was parked, and then the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The contact was awaiting a diagnostic test from the independent mechanic but was informed that the rack and pinion might need to be replaced and the power train control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

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 mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic had heard the abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel but had not run a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and had related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions, including while the contact was driving. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

I went to my local dealership on request of the campaign recall for my associated vin The vehicle has a EPAS STEERING EFFORTS Details Description EPAS STEERING EFFORTS Campaign# 15N01 I was driving and lost control because the power steering went out brought it to my local Ford grieco fort Lauderdale and they diagnosed it as a bad power steering rack pinion which was included in the vin report recall however they stated it's 5 months over expiration which it should of never expired since it's a really bad safety issue. I called Ford directly they told me to contact you in regards to adding a valid recall back onto my vin

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to wobble back and forth then up and down. The contact stated that the steering wheel started to shift upward and downward. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

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 and there is grinding noise when steering my vehicle and the ABS brake system comes on as soon as I crank up the vehicle and the brake goes down to the floor too loosely. The dealership says these potential recalls were noted for this 2012 Ford Flex in 2015. But the owner at the time didn't have them fixed then because not all 2012 Ford Flex received the recalls at the same time. And the power steering components and brake system problems are very unsafe while I'm driving the vehicle and as I was told could cause a fatal car accident if not fixed.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel stiffened while attempting to steer the vehicle to the left. The power steering failure message was displayed. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle remained. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the manufacturer who then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Vehicle power steering will stop working while driving and notification of (power steering assist failure) will appear. Vehicle becomes extremely unsafe to operate as the steering wheel is very difficult to move. I reached out to Ford and was advised that the recall for this was already repaired and a second recall was opened for vehicles that still had the issue. They advised that the recall only extended the warranty to 10 years and my vehicle is a few months past the 10 year mark with exceptions only made for mileage. My vehicle only has 48,000 miles.

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! please investigate this and make sure that it was fixed right the first time. it should not have gone out. I hardly drive my car. thank you

Recall on power steering rack and pinion but my model didn't get covered in this recall and this the second time my service advance track came on and it's totally hard to turn my steering and I took it to Ford dealership in merced ca just to see if the cam turn off my service advance traction they said no because the rack and pinion is bad. . .....

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Flex years