The Lemon Index
20101st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
55 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Highlander 772009 Honda Pilot 182009 Ford Explorer
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Ford Flex
- Engine stalling19 complaintsmostly at 26,000–78,000 miles (41,000–126,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power11 complaintsmostly at 24,000–70,000 miles (39,000–113,000 km)
- Coolant leak / overheating10 complaintsmostly at 60,000–81,000 miles (97,000–130,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Ford Flex (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,600 and 33,000 miles (11,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 51 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 16V247000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 24 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 55 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 33K miles (11K to 53K km) on the car (51 of all 55 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
At my last service at my dealership, I was informed that my rear brakes were worn out and needed replacing while my front brakes were still in good condition.
2009 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 10447921
More owner reports
2009 Ford Flex will not start. Warning about low fuel, check awd with 3/4 full tank of gas.
NHTSA complaint 10376391
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 24 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or…
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Flex year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2009" title="Ford Flex reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-flex/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Flex reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 129; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Flex year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (27%), electrical (27%) and engine (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Flex have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Flex get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Flex problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,600 and 33,000 miles (11,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 51 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Flex cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Flex year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works