10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 85,647 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
As I was driving on the highway at approximately 60 mph, a warning bell sounded and electronic message appeared indicating an electronic power steering assist failure. I was able to slow down and turn off the road, but no power steering was available.
- La Junta, CO, USA
I have been getting an intermittent message saying "power steering assist fault." When this happens, I have no power steering. I have gotten the message when I start the vehicle up and the message generally goes off within 30 seconds or so. The most recent time, however, it lasted about 10-15 mins. I have gotten this message 6-10 times. To date, I have not had this issue happen when the vehicle is in motion. There was a recall in 2015 for this issue but my VIN does not appear to fall within the vehicles that were recalled.
- Coon Rapids, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While driving, the contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact had to exert excessive force to turn the steering wheel. The steering wheel failed to function properly for the entire ride. The vehicle was taken to willow brook Ford (7301 kingery hwy, willowbrook, il 60527, (630) 986-5000) where it was diagnosed that a new steering system needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 70,000.
- La Grange, IL, USA
My power steering failed and I went onto sidewalk, barely missing my neighbor.Ford says my vehicle is not in the recall.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
While driving my power steering loses power. Took it to mechanic who told me it had to do with electric power steering. I looked it up and my car isnt covered in the recall. First and last Ford I will ever own!!!! there is a reason they say found on road dead!!!
- Independence, MO, USA
I lost steering on highway and barely escaped from a fatal accident. No code is appearing on the car. I can hardly turn the wheel.
- Andover, MA, USA
While driving up a highway on-ramp accelerating to highway speed, I experienced a sudden loss of power steering causing momentary loss of control. The power steering now comes and goes at random and is a serious safety issue making the vehicle inoperable.
- Chester, VT, USA
Driving the vehicle the electronic power steering failed while driving straight.. I was driving approximately 55 mph. A service power steering and service advanc trac system code appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle is extremely hard to steer. I believe the electronic power steering system failed in the vehicle.
- Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Started car power steering default sign lit up on dash and there was was no power steering. Fortunately I was around the corner from my home and was able to get it home.
- Harbeson, DE, USA
Power steering stopped working while operating the vehicle. Very difficult to turn the wheel and unsafe to drive. Dealer confirmed the same exact trouble codes, symptoms, and issue as the existing recall. My Flex is the same model (ecoboost) and manufactured at the same location as the recall. My VIN is not covered by the recall, however, as it was manufactured a couple of months after the recall date. This expensive repair for a defective part should be covered under the recall and folks should be notified and get their unsafe cars fixed before this problem happens to them. My Flex had under 60,000 miles at the time and has always been well maintained at the dealer. Local dealer where car has been serviced since new, regional Ford representative, and Ford corporate in detroit have all not been helpful. Ford in detroit required that I go through the trouble of mailing written information, following up repeatedly with supervisors, and then declined to do anything. The regional Ford folks also asked the local dealer to provide significant details regarding the faulty part and then also did nothing to help cover the cost. This recall needs to be extended. Ford has demonstrated that even when faced with overwhelming evidence, they are not willing to do the right thing. This issue put my family at significant safety risk and cost me thousands of dollars to repair. NHTSA, please take notice of this.
- Pasadena, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely tight while driving and the electric power steering warning indicator flashed after the failure occurred. The contact had to apply force to turn the steering wheel in either direction. An independent mechanic located diagnostic trouble codes for the steering and recommended taking the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering), although the contact experienced the failure listed in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Roggen, CO, USA
My current problem and has been for the last two years is the steering. As of around two years ago I have on multiple occasions the power steering losing the power and resulting in a very hard to control steering wheel while driving and very dangerous. This has happened roughly 6 times in two years. The problem would usually correct within around five seconds or so. I have found there are many issues on the internet with this Ford problem there is a recall on this issue but my vehicle comes within a month of the recall so no help from the dealer. They want around 3000-3500 for replacement. Word is they have doubled the cost of the part to make up for the recall money they are out. This is very serious and Ford needs to handle this issue. I am told the steering is electrical. My second issue is and has been going on for around two years also. The lights will go out each at different times. If I reach down and turn the switch off and on again they will come back on and correct, but will go out again. One might go out and then one stay on. A dangerous situation occurs when they both fail. Turning the switch on and off always turns them on. Problem has been happening for two years. Neither are not fixed at the moment.
- Batavia, IL, USA
Our 2011 Ford Flex has experienced a steering column failure. The vehicle suddenly lost steering, not power. But steering is impossible. After forcing it back and forth we were able to get it to go again. The dealer diagnosed it as the steering shaft binding up. I see there are many complaints about the steering in this vehicle. No recall is currently issued for this VIN
- Hudson, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle lost power steering ability. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
- Wilton, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact had to use extra effort to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to krieger Ford, Inc. (1800 morse rd, columbus, oh 43229, (614) 888-3320) where it was determined that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Gahanna, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While making a left or right turn, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to pauli Ford (2380 old U.S. 27, St. Johns, mi 48879, (989) 224-6711) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls and provided case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 127,300.
- Dewitt, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and the check power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering), but the failure recurred numerous times after the recall remedy. The vehicle was taken to santa margarita Ford (30031 santa margarita pkwy, rancho santa margarita, ca). The dealer stated that the part was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and case number: 13791060 was provided. The failure mileage was 103,125.
- Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA
Power steering failure message appeared in message center while driving on a city street, power steering immediately failed. This made steering nearly impossible. Made it to a parking lot, waited a few minutes and started the vehicle. The message was gone and car operated as normal. I called the local Ford dealership and told them about the issue. Their reply was that if it did it again to bring it in, they could not do anything if it was driving normally. Are we to continue driving the vehicle with no diagnosis of the problem by Ford? this seems like very dangerous advice from the Ford dealership.
- Russellville, AR, USA
I lost steering, the car is 65K. I cant turn the wheel easily which is really dangerous.
- Andover, MA, USA
- Oak Harbor, WA, USA