2012 Ford Flex

Rating from biggie

(1)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		2 out of 5
Interior Design:		3 out of 5
Value for the Money:		2 out of 5
Reliability:		1 out of 5

"7500 miles - first noticed the car feeling like it had a miss at normal highway speed. This continued so I brought it to Miracle Ford, Gallatin TN, Service Manager said "what do you expect, it is a turbo" and would not even check it out. Next, took it to Bankston Ford (AutoNation) Frisco,TX and described the driveability problem, they rebuilt the transmission. Improved for a couple of days, then same as before. Called FORD and they asked me to take it to Crown Ford, Nashville, TN and they said "no code no problem". Tried to ignore it for months and finally took a 700 mile trip with everyone in the car complaining. Called FORD again. This time they said to carry it to TWO RIVERS Ford Mt. Juliet TN and they said "no code no problem". Complained online and a Ford CSR contacted me and facilitated a meeting again at TWO RIVERS Ford Mt. Juliet, TN. She also asked me if anyone had ever ridden with me in the car -NO! She made the technician at TWO RIVERS Ford ride with me and he said he "felt something but it was not serious", end of topic! No one ever called me to followup or to see if the problem was fixed. NO CODE - NO PROBLEM! UPDATE .. 2011 Ford Flex Ecoboost now at 27,000 miles - problem started at 7,500 miles The process of problem resolution is broken. The customer is NOT RIGHT within FORD service. Anyone reading my previous posts will know that Crystal elevated my complaint and I was contacted by a regional customer service employee. Good start, but the process is so faulted that here I stand, broken car in hand, and no one at FORD cares enough to follow up with me or ask if they fixed the problem. I gave the car to my local Ford Dealer with the CS person facilitating the meeting. The outcome is "no problem found", with the technician stating that he 'noticed something, but it was not serious'. He says that it is 'not serious' because it does not generate a 'code'. When did we get to the point that a computer code overrides a customer complaint? The problem is serious enough to generate comments from everyone that has ridden in the car for the past eighteen months to ask "is this car missing?" and for my 88 year old mother to ask "what is wrong with this car?" Ford says nothing is wrong with this car, you just expect too much since your last car was an Acura. The fuel economy of my car is still down, but I have found a way to lessen the effects of the problem - NEVER ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT ITSELF. I have been driving the car with the paddle shifters for about a month now and have eliminated the shutter and bumpity bump that existed for nearly two years. I NEVER go to 6th gear under 60 mph, which means that it is rarely ever in 6th gear due to the terrain and traffic of the local area. Now for anyone that might think that I do not know what I am experiencing, then let me give you some background. 1.)My first new Ford was purchased in 1967. I am a Ford guy! 2.)I know turbos. My first was from Ford's SVO group in 1985 and I have had many from various car companies since then. This is not a turbo problem. 3.)I am an engineer and extremely particular, but I am not dreaming this problem up. Everyone notices the problem and everyone that rides in the car complains about it. 4.)I went through 4 dealer service groups in two states, over a period of 18 months, before anyone from any service department rode with me so that I could demonstrate the problem. This finally happened when I complained to the Ford CS person that no one had asked to ride with the complainant, and yet this is a basic tenant of problem resolution! The only conclusion that can be drawn from my experience is that Ford is not listening to its service customers today. One other time, in my 45 year car experience with Ford, that I had a problem that was not getting resolved at the dealer, that Ford jumped in and solved the problem without hesitation. Ford obviously has isolated itself from the repair process and believes that its Dealer service technicians will resolve everything. I have begged two Service Managers to bring in Ford technical people and they both recoiled to such a degree that I am led to believe that strong disincentives are in place to keep Ford isolated. Probably a lawyer thing due to fear of recalls. . Buyer beware! Ford is not serious about their service problems. . . THIS COULD BE YOU, AFTER YOU SPENT YOUR SAVINGS ON A $52,000 FORD FLEX. IF ANYONE REALLY CARED THEN I WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT, 18 MONTHS IS TOO LONG"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from UGA_fan_1998

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"Love my new Ford Flex :) It is comfortable, drives so smoothly, looks great, is safe, and I can load up my family with ease. TONS OF ROOM!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from Seven

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I've owned my Flex for only 1 month, and have driven trucks both mid-sized and large, and the Ford Flex is more comfortable. I love that it has the room of a large SUV. The seat is wide and long. It doesn't cut you off at the knee. And I love that it is lower to the ground which makes it a lot easier to get in and out of. Additionally, the leg room between the front seat and back seat is incredible. My 6'3" son can ride in the back comfortably and there is plenty of head room also. These are the features that convinced me to purchase the Flex. The only thing that I really do not like, is the headrests in the 3rd row seating. They fold down which is wonderful because they stick up like huge rabbit ears and are an obstruction when looking back. My granddaughter likes to ride in the very back, so if the headrest is folded down it is very uncomfortable on her back. And they can't be removed, at least I haven't figured out how to remove them if they can be. Overall though, I love my Flex. It's sleek, and stylish. Rides very smooth and quiet. The Sync features are the best!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from football guy

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I needed a car with a lot of room. I got all the room I needed and more, quite,comfortable, responsive and very good fuel economy for the size. On a recent trip of 1,400 mlies we averaged 24 mpg we have a Limited AWD with 3.5l v-6 . my grandchildren love the tvs.I realy love the power fold rear seats they work flawlessly The power lift rear door also works great. I have had a lot of new vehicles before but this car has it all. Thanks Ford for making such wonderful vehicles !! Have had zero problems 14,900 miles on it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from val

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"just bought my flex and i really luv it very roomy for family. Big fan wished i could afford the titanium but my sel will do."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from Mike

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		4 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"We traded our 2006 Mercedes R350 for the 2012 Flex Limited. Now I'm kicking myself for not having done it sooner!!! The ride, comfort, fuel economy, passenger room and technology beat the Benz hands down. We absolutely love the MY SYNC. We have paired all four smartphones in our house to the car and we can now listen to our favorite music on demand. Hands free calling is also a plus! The SYNC is so easy too! I must say that I don't particularly like the styling, I don't dislike it, but my wife loves it. A happy wife, a happy life. That's me!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from Flexable

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		3 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"This vehicle is smooth to drive and has smooth looks. Some minor problems, but nothing out of the ordinary. A little bit harder to drive in the city than other vehicles but its well worth it. Its very comfertable on the highway. (great for families) Pros: A very smooth drive. Very comfertable. Great Design. (interio and exteior) Good for familes. Not expensive for what your getting (a good deal) Great for road trips. Great Safty ratigs. Cons: Not the best cargo space in its class. A little bit harder to drve in the city. Not the best miles per gallon (but still pretty good) Seccond row of seats folds down, instead of rolls forward. One thing to remember is to check the vehicle every once in a wile. (check fluids more often)"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Jeanie

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"Have gotten compliments from complete strangers on how nice my Flex looks. Easy for my elderly father to get in and out of."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Reliable Cars

(2)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		3 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		2 out of 5
Reliability:		1 out of 5

"I wish I could recommend the Ford Flex Limited, but I can?t. After two years of ownership and only 22,000 miles, I am shopping again. I have never owned a car this poorly made or needed to get rid of a car so soon. Here is our history with Ford. Mileage / Months of Ownership / Issue 0 / 0 / Driver's seal rail binding. Replaced 0 / 0 / Window molding has stress marks. Replaced. 0 / 0 / Roof liner not connected to roof. Reconnected. 2,850 / 4 / Low brake fluid light. Leak on rear fitting. 3,494 / 6 / Interior door trim came off and jammed door handle open. 3,494 / 6 / Front brakes make loud noise. Updated brake pads needed. 3,494 / 6 / Rear door will not close. Latch needed lube? 3,494 / 6 / Rear door seal came of and was damage. NOT COVERED by FORD. 6,245 / 6 / Low brake fluid light. Front calipers replaced. Rotor turned. 6,245 / 6 / Rear door seal came of and was damage. NOT COVERED by FORD. 8,721 / 7 / Low brake fluid light. Master cylinder replaced. 16,060 / 16 / Lug nuts distorted or torn apart during tire rotation. Replaced. 16,060 / 16 / Engine Idles rough, looses power, engine light on. Cam Phasers replaced. 17,779 / 18 / Rear brakes dragging, Strong antifreeze odor. Replaced pads and anchor bracket. Transmission was leaking on catalytic converter. 20,231 / 21 / Armrest latch broke. 20,754 / 22 / Oil sprayed all over ground and engine compartment. Failed gasket. 22,087 / 23 / Rear brakes make constant grinding. Rust on Rotors - NOT COVERED by FORD. 22,087 / 23 / Window molding peeling off. Replaced. 22,738 / 24 / Interior pillar covered fell off. 22,738 / 24 / Right rear door trim fell off. Same issue as before, just a different door. If you are considering the Flex, or any Ford product, consider the number of mechanical problems with this car. Check to see if the parts in the car you are thinking about buying are shared with the Flex. The engine, transmission and brakes may be the same components. Ford Motor Company through Ford Customer Service offered a response that can be summarized in two words ?Buyer Beware.?"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around