2011 Ford Flex Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 13%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,195miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Flex, 13% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,195 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It has happened since 2012 sept, when I bought it at 4000km. I was about to start from a traffic light. I let go my brake and 'slightly' onto gas. Nothing at all happened. I push a bit harder and it crank into another gear as I felt like 'galloping'. I brought it to the body shop I knew (8 pm) and was told to go to dealers for transmittion check up. Did so, in 3 days - 'no code' no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10872685, filed 2016-06, 3,450 miles“Ptu failure - I have had my FLEX since 2012. I have never had an issue with anything in that vehicle. I am in the military, and I travel a lot. I have that oil changed and tires rotated religiously. Fluids are always topped off. I just turned over 120,000 miles on my 2011 FLEX, 85 percent of those miles were highway. My FLEX started hesitating, occasionally. An occasional jerk into gear. Then started making metal-grinding noises, then sputtering. This happened over a 3 month period. I find out my ptu is shot, of course I am over the mileage for the warranty - shocker. …”
NHTSA complaint #11012327, filed 2017-08, 120,000 miles“10/15 eaps failure can't steer car no fix several repeat problems 4/15 cold air when using heater on passenger side fixed but since then water on passenger side when using air conditioning several service calls no fix 4/15 oilk leak for awd system several tries then service finallyt replaced complete awd unit”
NHTSA complaint #10927032, filed 2016-11, 61,024 miles“Transmission on FLEX often hesitates and thunks with a lurch. The lurch is so bad it now feels like we are being hit. It has happened in both forward and reverse. Tried to get it repaired twice at dealer - haven't been able to fix. Online forums with owners and service bulletins describe similar problem. Ford not acknowledging issue or helping.”
NHTSA complaint #10484463, filed 2012-11, 34,000 miles“From a stop, transmission slipped, banged into 1st (or 2nd gear), did it again around 50 MPH, felt like the tranny slipped and then banged into gear. The banging into gear is a violent lurch. Took it to Ford told nothing wrong with vehicle (even though I had prior TSB's on same tranny issues in 01/2011 build cars). Started in 2012, was intermittent until recently and has happened several times over past month.”
NHTSA complaint #10616569, filed 2014-07, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10095858Feb 27, 2017Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a…
- 10058460May 1, 2015Lincoln/ford: an overhaul transmission motorcraft kit, available for some vehicles, contains an incorrect valve bode separator plate and would need to discard 7z490 part and use…
- 10053274May 27, 2013Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or inoperative, backup camera on in drive, 5th gear start from stop and transmission…
- 10039121May 10, 2011Ford: there may be a sluggish acceleration or hesitation feeling when rolling to a stop. This will be followed by a harsh bump.
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10039072Jan 1, 2011Ford: there may be a loss of power, hesitation, surge, or lack of throttle response while driving. The brake over accelerator feature may be activating.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% |
| 2016 | 8 | 8% |
| 2015 | 11 | 9% |
| 2014 | 10 | 4% |
| 2013 | 11 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2011 | 19 | 13% |
| 2010 | 12 | 9% |
| 2009 | 23 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Flex
57 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Flex
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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