Ford Flex, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Ford Flex recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
2
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
64
Latest campaign
Apr 26, 2016

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Air bags1Apr 26, 2016
16V247000
Steering1Jun 2, 2015
15V340000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Apr 26, 2016Latest campaign
Apr 26, 201616V247000

Air bags: frontal

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V247000
What's wrong
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."
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Campaign
NHTSA 16V247000 · Apr 26, 2016
Jun 2, 201515V340000

Steering: electric power assist system

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 15V340000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Campaign
NHTSA 15V340000 · Jun 2, 2015
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component64

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
64Complaints filed
4Involving a crash
1Involving a fire
4Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Steering2438200
Engine1117010
Electrical system1016010
Service brakes813101
Unknown or other58001
Fuel/propulsion system58000
Structure46001
Power train46000
Air bags35101
Suspension35000
Vehicle speed control35101
Wheels23001
Electronic stability control (ESC)23000
Fuel system23000
Gasoline23000

3 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Steering

    “The contact owns a 2012 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warnings illuminated.”

    Filed 12/30/2025 · ODI 11707853
  • Steering

    “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.”

    Filed 12/30/2025 · ODI 11707935
  • Steering

    “Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night.”

    Filed 04/23/2025 · ODI 11656456

Other Ford Flex model years

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Other Ford models

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2012 Ford Flex recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Flex have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Flex. The most recent, 16V247000 (reported April 26, 2016), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Ford Flex?

Steering is the most-reported component, named in 24 complaints out of 64 filed with NHTSA (38%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Ford Flex?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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