Traction Control complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The stability control warning light was illuminated, and the "Steering Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the contact file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Drove my 2016 Ford Flex I tried to avoid animal on road and steering assist light came on couldnt steer and hit a pole. The dealership wouldnt look at cause I had it towed there told me I had to go where my inusrance would fix it I had no car for four months theres no recall on it cause its a new truck there were problems with this Flex in 2010-2016 getting the brushoff from my dealer
We have a 2014 Ford Flex with 41,000 miles. My wife was driving two days after getting her oil changed at galpin Ford and the power steering went out. She called them and they said turn off the car and wait a minute and it will reset it self. She did that and it worked. Two days later it went out completely so she tried to turn it off and on again that's when the stability light went on and said it needs service. The person at Ford telling her how to reset it tells me they have had several complaints about this. They want me to spend over two thousand dollars to replace the steering column!!!!!!! They won't even come get the car to diagnose it. They want me to have it towed or drive it to them.
Driver side door sensor appears to not be functioning. Warning panel light comes on indicating door is not closed, when it in fact is. Interior lights simultaneously come on but not all the time. Additionally warning says, transmission is not in "park." usually occurs when car is being started, but not always. Has occurred 6 times.
This 2013 Ford Flex has experienced several electrical, mechanical, and lighting issues. All 5 door latches, door sensors, car's alarm system, and battery has failed. The car's BCM has reported intermittent door ajar alarms. This effects the car's door locks as well as the car's dome light and car's alarm system. At no point will the car's doors lock while the car is in drive. So any child can open up a door while the car is in motion. The dome light comes on causing a vision glare at night. Twice my wife has almost pulled out in front of oncoming motoris at night, do to the light glare within the car. Because the car's dome light comes on intermittently, the car's battery drains down while parked. You cannot set the car's alarm without the door sensors setting the car's alarm system off. …
-passenger door, rear passenger door, and hatch door ajar signal stays on when door is closed. -interior light stays on -alarms goes off in the middle of the night -faulty latch -ignition key switch dings until I put key in and turn key back and forth and then take out again. Dome light stays on and creates a night driving hazard. Creates a safety hazard when the dome lights stays on and I am sitting in a public area at night. False door ajar signal prevents me from recognizing a real door ajar situation, which is very dangerous. Doors sometimes May or May not not lock, nor will the trunk open sometimes- causing a safety hazard/possible dangerous situation when I am trying to get my groceries out of the trunk at night. These same issues happened to our vehicle in 2013, jan.2014, aug 2014, and now in 2015.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Flex. While driving 10 MPH and making a left turn, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the traction control and ABS engaged. The vehicle failed to accelerate and coasted off the road. When the driver resumed driving, a grinding noise occurred from the front driver's side of the vehicle. While driving home, the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was later taken to garber Ford (3380 us-17, green cove springs, fl 32043, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but a failure code could not be located. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
July 22, 2016. Wife started car in school parking lot and headed to the exit. While making a left hand turn onto the main road, and accelerating, loud noises again heard under the car and it lost power even while giving it gas. Had to pull over to the side of the road. Shut off car and re-started. No issues. Wife refuses to drive the car until fixed. Taken to dealer on July 29, 2016. Unable to duplicate. Returning to dealer aug 5 for computer re-flash. This is a significant safety issue that is being reported all over the Ford Flex forums and it appears Ford motor company will not address the issue.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Flex years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (24) and 2009 (11) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Flex traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Ford Flex model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Flex traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
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.