2009 Ford Flex Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Flex.

< older2010
Complaints
271
Crashes
18
Fires
3
Injuries
16
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2009 Ford Flex Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#136 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:89,724 mi
Fires:1
#230 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:42,564 mi
Fires:1
#319 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:79,734 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Ford Flex.

Engine Problems
36
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
89,724
Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
42,564
Transmission / Drivetrain
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
79,734
Steering Defects
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
80,409
Fuel System
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
87,379
Hydraulic Brakes
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,548
Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
65,262
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
29,100
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,463
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
65,279
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
105,647
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
17,562
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,333
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,882
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Ford Flex. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Ford Flex

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~695 vehicles.

16V247000Air Bags:frontal
~695 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Other Ford Flex Years

2009 Ford Flex — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Ford Flex reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Ford Flex has 271 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 36 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Ford Flex?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (36 complaints, avg 89,724 mi); Electrical Faults (30 complaints, avg 42,564 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (19 complaints, avg 79,734 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Ford Flex?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,493 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Ford Flex?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Ford Flex include 18 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Ford Flex have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 695 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Ford Flex?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Flex reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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