2011 Ford Flex

Like the Taurus and Explorer on the same platform, the Flex's 3.5L V6 and 3.5L EcoBoost engines have an internally mounted water pump driven by the timing chain. When the pump seal fails, coolant leaks into the engine oil, causing a milky oil appearance and potential bearing damage if not caught early.

Replace the internal water pump, timing chain components, and related seals. This requires removing the front timing cover and is a major repair. Monitor engine oil regularly for coolant contamination. If coolant has mixed with oil, flush the engine thoroughly before reassembly.

The PTU on AWD Flex models is prone to overheating and fluid leaks from the output shaft seal. The PTU is located in a hot area near the exhaust, and Ford did not initially recommend regular PTU fluid changes. Low or degraded fluid causes gear whine, grinding, and eventual PTU failure.

Drain and replace the PTU fluid with Ford-specified 75W-140 synthetic gear oil every 30,000 miles. If the PTU is already making noise, replacement is necessary. Install an aftermarket PTU cooler to prevent future overheating. Replace the half-shaft seals if leaking.

The MyFord Touch infotainment system is notorious for freezing, going to a black screen, and rebooting randomly while driving. Bluetooth connectivity drops frequently, navigation becomes unresponsive, and the backup camera may not display. The system's slow processor struggles with basic operations.

Update to the latest MyFord Touch software version via USB download from Ford's website. Perform a master reset if the system is consistently unresponsive. If the APIM module hardware has failed, it needs replacement. Some owners upgrade to a SYNC 3 retrofit for improved reliability.

Front brake calipers on the Flex tend to stick due to corroded slide pins, causing uneven brake pad wear and premature rotor warping. Symptoms include a pulling sensation during braking, a pulsating brake pedal, and excessive heat from one front wheel.

Clean and lubricate the brake caliper slide pins with silicone-based brake grease. Replace warped rotors and worn brake pads as a pair. If the caliper piston is seized, replace the caliper. Lubricate slide pins during every brake service to prevent recurrence.

The door ajar warning light stays illuminated even when all doors are closed. This can prevent the interior lights from turning off, drain the battery, and disable the remote start feature. The issue is caused by a failing door latch switch or corroded wiring in the door jamb.

Diagnose which door is triggering the warning using a scan tool or by observing which dome light zone stays on. Replace the affected door latch assembly or clean the corroded connector. Apply dielectric grease to the connectors to prevent future corrosion.

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."

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

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.

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.

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.

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.