MotorDeets

2009 Ford Flex: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2009 Ford Flex: 1 recall, 181 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.

1vehicle recalls
181owner complaints
7mention a crash
19best combined mpg
2009 Ford Flex
Photo: Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Airbags Vehicle recall #16V247000 · 2016 · 695 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Engine36
Electrical32
Transmission & drivetrain23
Steering18
Engine & cooling17
Other / unknown17
Brakes (hydraulic)16
Fuel & propulsion15

What owners describe

The 2009 Ford Flex has 181 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 11 Flex model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 175). Complaints peaked in 2014 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 60,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (139 complaints, 1 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive172419Regular
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive162218Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Ford Flex.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2009 Ford Flex manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2009 Ford Flex manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2009 Ford Flex manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2009 Ford Flex manual

Heads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure

FAQ

Does the 2009 Ford Flex have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2009 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2009 Ford Flex problems?

Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (36), electrical (32), transmission & drivetrain (23).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Flex get?

EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2009 Ford Flex repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Flex years

20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019