The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Highlander 492012 Honda Pilot 642012 Ford Explorer 111
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2012 Ford Flex
- Steering rack / power steering16 complaintsmostly at 50,000–108,000 miles (80,000–174,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 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
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V247000 (airbags) and 15V340000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent ikt”?
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 17 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 8K to 45K miles (13K to 72K km) on the car (16 of all 17 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.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent ikt
- Steering related noises
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
- Steering · recall issued 2015 Hybrid only
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Flex SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Flex SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Ford Flex reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). 2012 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.5× the average car's complaints. The Ford Flex year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (35%), brakes (29%) and steering (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Flex have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Flex get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 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 2012 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Flex year than the 2012?
Not nearby: the 2012 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Flex years within 3 model years of it. 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