2010 Ford Flex Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 22%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Ford Flex, 22% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I drive my vehicle & apply the brake, the brake pedal vibrates & the rpms increase and the vehicle stalls out. When my heat is on high whether vents or the floor, and apply the brake while driving, the brake pedal vibrates and the rpms increase and the vehicle stalls out.”
NHTSA complaint #11054115, filed 2017-12, 79,650 miles“As indicated by a number of FLEX owners, my FLEX simply died in the middle of the freeway going 70 MPH. No warning - lights on dash went on, lost all power including power steering. After muscling the car to the shoulder, putting in park and sitting for a few minutes, it started back up. Took to dealer who said they could find nothing wrong. Extremely dangerous. I was almost rear ended. How many different people need to be affected by this problem before Ford and NHTSA take action.”
NHTSA complaint #10721761, filed 2015-05, 90,000 miles“While waiting at a light in my 2010 Ford FLEX the engine was idling rough, after the signal turned green the power seemed low and sluggish as I accelerated. When I was at about 45 MPH the engine power returned and seemed more normal, suddenly without notice the engine turned off and all dash lights illuminated. I was able to pull into a drive way but was very hard as there was no power steering. I was able to coast to a stop safely. Once stopped there was a very strong smell of coolant. I opened the hood and found a large amount of coolant on right side of engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811218, filed 2015-12, 151,000 miles“While driving on a highway during rush hour traffic, as the traffic slowed down, and I pressed the brake, the engine shut completely down. First the battery light came on and then all lights within the speedometer cluster came on. Traffic began to pick back up and I was going up hill, yet I was merely coasting at the speed I was before I stopped and slowing down. Luckily the traffic did not come to a complete stop because I would have been sitting in the middle of the road. I am not exactly sure what the speed was because I was more concerned with what I should do. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503415, filed 2013-03, 53,431 miles“Total motor failure when driving! Transmission frequently slips. Motor had to be replaced. When pressure exhaust for ecoboost is redirected to cylinder 3 and 5 the head gasket fails allowing water to enter the head of motor which them steam fries the cylinders. This is very common in the 2010 FLEX with ecboost and need to be recalled asap! Motors up to 100,000. Mine had 74000 when failure occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10940393, filed 2017-01, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10056147May 30, 2014Ford/lincoln: some vehicles, with aluminum valve cover, will experience an excessive condition of smoking engine oil and/or consumption of oil, from tail pipe, during normal…
- 10053459Jun 1, 2013Ford/lincoln: long block engines shipped with cam sensors, crank sensor, crank sensor tone wheel, coolant inlet tube, the components must be swapped over engine being replaced to…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 8 | 8% |
| 2015 | 11 | 10% |
| 2014 | 22 | 9% |
| 2013 | 33 | 6% |
| 2012 | 11 | 17% |
| 2011 | 25 | 17% |
| 2010 | 30 | 22% |
| 2009 | 36 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2010 Ford Flex
32 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Ford Flex
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology