Ford Flex Steering Problems
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford Flex across 11 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (149). The words owners use most often: “steering assist” (26% of reports).
- 381steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering assist: mentioned in 100 of 381 complaints (26%)
- Difficult turn: mentioned in 33 of 381 complaints (9%)
- Wheel became: mentioned in 31 of 381 complaints (8%)
- Electric power: mentioned in 23 of 381 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford Flex at $2,700, and half of them between $2,200 and $3,050.
Based on 27 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 274 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 381 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
Ford Flex steering complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
As with many other 2019 Flex owners, I brought my Ford Flex in for a state inspection and surprise surprise! I have to replace my toe link already! Failure after failure.
As I was driving turning at a light to go right all of a sudden my steering wheel got super hard and It almost caused me to get into an accident. I didn't have the strength to grip the steering wheel. Shortly after the advanced traction control service light came on. Luckily there was an auto parts…
I have had this vehicle since about August 2025, the brakes and wheel bearings have failed twice, the strut failed, the power steering system has messed up repeatedly, the coolant came FLYING out of the car (while parked) FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! There have been multiple warning lights on since I…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The…
The power steering system failed and numerous other electrical systems showed as broken as a result. The dealer service dept said: "We found corrosion on connector C1467A meaning that water is getting inside the connector somehow which caused the module to short out. The steering rack is not the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Flexs have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 381 owner complaints about steering for the Ford Flex. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Flex steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford Flex?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,700 (half paid between $2,200 and $3,050), from 27 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford Flex?
The most frequent phrase is “steering assist”, in 100 of 381 complaints, followed by “difficult turn” (33).
Other Ford Flex problems
- Electrical System problems (396)
- Back Over Prevention problems (234)
- Structure problems (192)
- Engine problems (183)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (165)
- Suspension problems (107)
- Power Train problems (105)
See all Ford Flex problems.