SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Ford Flex steering problems
severe 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 32 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Ford Flex, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Ford Flex electric power steering system shows a clear pattern of control module or rack-and-pinion failure that produces both sudden loss of assist at startup and intermittent failures while driving. Owners describe the steering wheel becoming immovable or rock-hard, forcing the vehicle into manual steering mode. Many failures occur without warning lights, or lights appear only after the problem recurs enough times to trigger them; a few owners saw "Power Steering Assist Fault" messages. The system sometimes recovers after an engine restart or wheel movement, but failures grow more frequent and eventually become permanent.
Owners report this same defect triggered Ford's recall (15S18) for 2011–2013 Flex models; the 2010 is excluded despite having identical steering hardware. Dealership estimates to replace the steering gear or rack-and-pinion run $1,600–$2,200 plus labor. One owner had the steering gear replaced for $2,145, then the same failure struck 200 miles later. Another owner tried a rebuilt pump at $450, which failed immediately, leaving them unable to obtain further assistance.
A few narratives mention secondary issues: power steering fluid leaks causing the rack to partially detach at highway speed, and stiffness at low speeds. One owner also reported AdvanceTrak traction control failing concurrently, causing unexpected hard pulls during acceleration. The intermittent nature of early failures makes dealership diagnostics difficult—mechanics often find no fault codes even when the customer describes live steering loss.
Same Ford Flex steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering (EPAS) Control Module/Steering Gear Failure
Complete or intermittent loss of power steering assist due to failure of the EPAS control module, steering gear, or rack-and-pinion assembly. Vehicle enters manual steering mode, requiring extreme force to turn the wheel. Owners report this affects driveability across all speeds but is especially dangerous at highway speeds and in traffic situations.
When: 78,000–150,000 miles; failures occur both at startup and while driving; intermittent early, then becomes persistent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes rock-hard or immovable; Vehicle enters manual steering mode without warning; Power steering assist loss at startup, sometimes recovers after restart or wheel movement; Intermittent failures lasting seconds to multiple miles before power returns; No dashboard warning lights in many cases; when lights appear: 'Power Steering Assist Fault' or 'Service Power Steering' message; Vehicle may pull hard to one side when steering fails; Loss of braking assist on some vehicles when power steering fails simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Assist Fault, Service Power Steering, Service AdvanceTrak
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships quote $1,600–$2,200+ for complete steering gear or rack-and-pinion replacement plus labor ($500+). One owner had pump rebuilt at $450, which failed immediately. Another owner had steering gear replaced twice—$2,145 first repair, same failure 200 miles later. One owner reported Detroit Axle aftermarket rack-and-pinion replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued recall 15S18 (2011–2013 Flex models) for identical EPAS failure; 2010 model year excluded despite identical steering system. Owners report Ford refuses warranty assistance or recall coverage on 2010 models. Dealerships acknowledge the problem is known but claim no bulletin exists for 2010. No TSB or warranty extension documented in narratives for 2010 model year.
Power Steering Fluid Leak and Rack Detachment
Rack-and-pinion assembly or internal power steering components corrode or fail, leading to fluid leaks that disable power steering. In one case, the rack partially detached from the vehicle, causing metal scraping sounds and sparks visible from underneath. Fluid loss causes immediate and complete loss of steering function.
When: 119,000 miles (rack detachment case)
Symptoms owners cite: Metal clicking and scraping sounds from underneath vehicle; Wheels feel loose; Sparks visible from undercarriage; Power steering fluid leak pooling on ground; Complete steering failure following fluid loss
Repairs/costs cited: Case #6: rack-and-pinion detached on busy highway. Vehicle not repaired; towed to residence. Case #7: rack-and-pinion replaced with Detroit Axle aftermarket unit at 150,000 miles after four previous power steering replacements and clockspring installations at unknown dealers failed to resolve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case #6: manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance; owner advised to contact NHTSA. Case #7: manufacturer sent technician to oversee aftermarket Detroit Axle rack-and-pinion installation, indicating knowledge of recurring failure pattern.
Hardened or Stiff Steering at Low Speed
Steering wheel becomes unusually difficult to turn at low speeds, sometimes accompanied by rubbing or grinding noises. Symptoms sometimes resolve with lubrication or may indicate early rack-and-pinion degradation.
When: 113,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hard and difficult to turn at low speeds; Abnormal rubbing or grinding sounds from steering mechanism; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic suggested steering column lubrication; vehicle was not formally repaired in that case. Another case (141,000 miles) diagnosed as rack-and-pinion and power steering assist failed to operate as designed; not repaired.
AdvanceTrak/Traction Control Intermittent Failure with Power Steering Loss
Electronic traction control system fails intermittently, causing vehicle to pull hard left or right during acceleration at speeds above 20 mph, sometimes concurrent with power steering loss. Warning lights appear only after multiple failures accumulate, then clear on next ignition cycle, masking the defect.
When: Intermittent, accelerating above 20 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls unexpectedly to left or right during acceleration; Pull is violent enough to cause veering across centerline; 'Service AdvanceTrak' or 'Adv Trac Fault' warning light appears intermittently only after multiple failures, then clears on next start; No warning to driver of intermittent failures; light not persistent
Codes mentioned: Service AdvanceTrak, Adv Trac Fault
Power Steering Pump Failure
Power steering pump fails, leading to complete loss of steering assist. Rebuilt replacement pumps may fail immediately.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes extremely hard to control; Loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports power steering pump failed; rebuilt pump installed at $450 failed immediately. No new replacement pumps available through Ford; owner unable to obtain further warranty assistance.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Power steering went out. Towed to Ford dealer. They replaced the steering gear assembly ($2,145.00). Two hundred miles later the same thing happened again. Towed to the same Ford dealer, after two days they tell me the tire pressure was low. I don't believe it but will drive some more. When these incidents occurred we were driving on state highways at 40 MPH +/- pulled over and stopped and lower…
The power steering system failed in my 2010 Ford flex with less than 80,000 miles. Thankfully the failure did not occur while we were driving. We had the car towed to our mechanic who said that the entire steering rack needed to be replaced. The part is $1600 and labor is over $500. There is an active recall of the 2011-2013 Ford flex model years for the exact same problem. I called Ford and…
Power steering assist and advancetrac both failed at the same time. It is showing on the driver information screen. There are no codes with a code reader.
Accelerated from drive making sharp right turn onto busy state route road. Power steering abruptly failed while accelerating with front wheels turned sharply to passenger side. Steering was impossible to move back to center position in spite of pulling with all my might (muscular build). Applied brakes sharply; vehicle exited road and impacted curb with front tires..wife, and two small children…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Ford Flex?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Ford Flex?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 65,000 and 119,000 miles, with the median around 93,428. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 119,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Ford/Flex.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.