Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after releasing the parking brake, the parking brake failed to return to the original position. The contact stated that the "Parking Brake Engaged" warning light was illuminated. The contact went to the local dealer and purchased an upgraded replacement part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,039.
Twice now the transmission and brakes have failed going down our driveway. When our Flex has been going down our driveway and the car is in drive, the transmission makes a grinding sound and the brakes do not respond at all. Once about a month ago we were able to stop the car using the emergency brake to stop the behicle before it entered the street. Today the emergency brake was not used by a younger driver and the car entered the street at full speed going over a curb and hitting a mailbox afterwhich the emergency brake was deployed. The car was turned off then back on and everything was back to normal. It is incredibly unsafe to have brakes and transmission fail in unison.
My Ford Flex stalls while driving anywhere from 10 MPH (in residential area) to 80 MPH on highway. Electrical is still working the engine shuts off and I lose control of gas/brakes. Three warning signs pop up at the same time: check brake system, collision warning not available, and service advance trac. Once I restart the car, the codes will disappear. The problem was intermittent at first, but now it's occurring more frequently. I'm too scared to drive my car now. Ford isnt being much help. I need help.
The brakes make grinding noise and slipping hard to stop my brake pads and rotes pretty new went and got new brake pads still same problem especially during harder braking car not stopping there is brake fluid and everything seems to be in top shape but car will not brake properly and make grinding noise
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.
While driving at highway speed there was a sudden metal on metal sound. Shortly after this noise started there was a burning smell and then visible smoke from the wheel. I pulled over to evaluate the noise and smoke. The radiant heat from the wheel caused the fiberglass panel on the side of the car to heat up. This heat caused a 3rd degree burn to the tip of a finger. The vehicle went to the dealership. The dealership evaluated it and stated the drivers side rear caliper froze. The day after the Flex was returned "fixed", the passenger side caliper froze. It did the same thing as the drivers side (made the sudden metal on metal sound, smoked and heated up). The Flex was towed back to the dealership, where the other caliper was replaced. The Flex was returned later that day "fixed". Upon driving home, both the right and left rear caliper re-froze. …
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. …
My brakes locked up suddenly on the rear end causing me to get stuck in the middle of the road and unable to move it, even to tow it. I had to take 2 days almost to fix it in the middle of the road, since yesterday morning. They also began locking up suddenly on the front end, the wheel bearing, CV Joint, Tie Rods, CV Axles, CV Boots, and sway bars began failing out of nowhere as well. The brakes may or may not be able to be replicated, as they are partially fixed and yes my entire front end can be replicated. The danger is my brakes locked up as I was driving, in the middle of the road at that. I have not been able to get the front end fixed as it is expensive, however the danger of this is the tires falling off or the front end failing all together. ALL of the other people who drive these that I have talked to and met have had the same problem and yes they are factory parts! …
Related recalls (1)
Parking brake
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Flex years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (33), 2010 (16), 2011 (8), 2012 (8) and 2013 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Ford Flex brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-464 (parking brake, Jul 24, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Flex brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles; 69% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › caliper (1).
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.