This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact's wife was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that water was detected inside the engine and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 146,000.
The car has a terrible smell coming from the air conditioning unit. The car has been to the dealer on several occasions where they state that it's the 'filter' but the problem continues. This issue has never been fully resolved and is on-going. The car has other minor defects with the window operation (loud squealing as if the window is rubbing against something) and the dealer has failed to resolve that issue as well. I am concerned that the smell inside the car could be toxic and unsafe for my children. How can I get the dealer to test the air quality and quit replacing the filter as a temporary attempt to an ongoing problem?
On August 8, 2011 and February 8, 2012, my new Flex shut down while I was driving. The dashboard lights flashed on, and the vehicle turned off - total electrical failure - couldn't accelerate or brake - had to painfully pull car off the road. Car was towed to dealer. Ford dealer performed diagnostics to no avail, as when the engine shut down, I turned the key off, then back on again - this destroyed the data. Seems like a fundamental data system flaw. Nonetheless, I drove away from the dealership in fear, only to have the incident recur six months later. Now I am driving with a data flight recorder for a mere ten days, the button of which I must push, if and when the car shuts down again. Without recorded data, though Ford believes my report, I seem to have no recourse with Ford. I now am driving in fear for my own and others' lives. Has this happened to anyone else?
There is a strong sulfur smell in the cabin after a hard acceleration, it smells similar to catalytic converter exhaust odor. Service department was able to replicate the odor but told me that they do not know how to fix the problem.
Car shut off completely while driving. It has happened twice once on the highway and once on a residential street while making a left hand turn both times power steering was gone. Took car to dealer and they cannot find anything because it did not leave a signature. The car has been in the dealership shop for two weeks now.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Norwalk, CA, USA