Hey all, Wife and I are in the market for a, let me say, replacement automobile. As she was searching, she came across a Ford Flex that she liked. The particular one she is looking at is a 2012, V6, 3.7L ? Non ecoboost. My son tells me stories about front end issues on the Flex. He is a mechanic and obviously sees a lot of issues, however, I think a lot of this is brought on by the owner. Replacing parts when needed, ect......So I am sure there are Flex owners out there that may be able to help me out on this one? Such as Dependability., any year better than the next, things of that nature.
I am a Blue oval guy but have not had any true life experience with the Flex. Any comments or experience you all have had may help us out!
Appreciated,
Hammy.

 

We have a 2009 Flex Limited in the Ice Blue/White leather combo that we bought used several years ago after my wife fell in love with the Flex. As of now her car has 155,000 miles on it but looks absolutely mint. If you find one that's all wheel drive have the transfer case gear oil changed immediately. In our '09 it is supposed to have lifetime lube in it but that's the biggest crock I've ever heard. When I had ours done it came out looking like tar. And I had it done because in Ford's infinite wisdom they did not put a drain glug on the case so it has to be sucked out. Newer years, I'm told, have a plug. Cooling fan motors don't last and you can't buy the fan motor itself so you have to buy the complete assembly to the tune of around $300 from Rockauto. Ours was replaced at 75,000 miles and just again around 14x,000. Both of these seem to be very common problems for the Flex. Worst case scenario is the water pump going bad and wiping out the entire engine because the water pump is internal and when it goes it floods the engine with coolant, washing all of the bearings and then bad things happen, As far as front end issues I've replaced one lower control arm due to a bad ball joint but the front does seem to make some odd noises. Not sure if the struts are going bad or what. I rarely drive the car but took it out yesterday and the noise from the front was odd enough to have me planning a trip to the shop to get it on a lift and looked at. Other than these items we love the car. I love the color combo, the room, all of the features it has and it really is a pleasure to drive. I would actually like to trade it in on a newer, lower mile example but my wife likes this car better than all of the others she has had in the past.

 

GN1220,

Thank you for your input, realty appreciated. Seems as if the Flex has been pretty good for you and your wife, good deal!
I have heard about that lifetime deal for the diff oil the explore . mountaineer, i believe as the same. Life time, sure would be good if that gave you a lifetime warranty huh. Typical stuff, I call wear items just need to be replaced, so yea, shocks, struts, sure. And the water pump, same as the Audi (323,000 miles) I had owned and I now have a VW and both are configured this way, Inside and part of the timing belt assembly. Never had a problem, for I did the maintenance on it when needed.
We are still looking at the 2012, and she also has her eye on a Explorer Sport Trac. I like the Flex look better then the Sport trac...and i think the ride would be better. again pending what you going after. Thanks again, Hammy

 

Also to note, there are guys on the Flex forum with the turbocharged Ecoboost running in the 12's. Pretty impressive for these heavy bricks.