repaired · 2017 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
2012 Ford FlexProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 66 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Flex, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-340 the manufacturer reports only 69% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Ford Flex has problems
66 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
25Steering2 crash/fire/injury
11Engine1 crash/fire/injury
10Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
5Structure
5Fuel/propulsion system
4Power train
3Air bags
3Suspension
127 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 25 | 2 |
| Engine | 11 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 2 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 12 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2012 Ford Flex recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Flex year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Flex median. How we score
'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Ford Flex safety ratings
2012 Ford Flex SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Flex owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system failed completely and permanently while driving. This is the exact hardware defect described in Ford Safety Recall 15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340000), specifically relating to the internal Motor Position Sensor inside the steering gear assembly. The…
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she had recently heard an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent…
Own a 2012 Flex?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.