Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Flex powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 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
Among the 8 model years of Ford Flex in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through 1-Feb-2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0715,P0717,P0756 and/or P2701. This may be caused by the direct clutch cylinder/tone wheel (7F283) inadvertently forcing the snap ring out of position resulting in damage to the direct clutch hub (7G384). Service part (7J250) complete rotating 3-5-R clutch module is now available. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01. For claiming, use causal part 7F283 and applicable labor operations in Section 7 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015-2016 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2016 and equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine, all wheel drive (AWD) and a power transfer unit (PTU) may exhibit a PTU venting, an odor originating from the PTU, or noise originating from the PTU. These vehicles may be a candidate for rebuild using PTU Idler Gear/Shaft/Bearing Kit (GB5Z-7P258-A). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 308-07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure is intermittent power loss caused by a defective throttle body. Owners describe the vehicle losing all power while driving at highway speeds, with a wrench warning light on the dash and no response to throttle input. The engine still runs but won't accelerate. Shut down and restart clears the fault and restores normal operation—until it happens again. Owners have logged diagnostic code P2111 (throttle actuator control system stuck open) using their own scan tools, though dealership equipment frequently shows no fault present.
The real headache: Ford dealerships won't authorize throttle body replacement without an active diagnostic code visible to their equipment. Since the code clears when you restart the engine, owners face an impossible situation—dealers tell them to drive until the car fails completely, then have it towed while still running so the code stays active. No towing service will comply with that request.
One owner reported a power transfer unit (PTU) explosion at 96,000 miles with loud banging from under the hood and burning odor, causing loss of control. Another reported reverse gear failure with delayed parts delivery including a damaged replacement unit.
Safety risk is real: several owners nearly got rear-ended during sudden power loss on multi-lane highways with families in the vehicle.
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle Actuator Control System Failure / Defective Throttle Body
The electronic throttle body fails intermittently, causing the vehicle to lose power and enter limp mode. The wrench warning light illuminates and the engine becomes unresponsive to throttle input. The vehicle becomes undrivable until shut down and restarted, at which point the diagnostic code clears and normal operation resumes.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; reports from 2016 and 2017 model years. One incident at 96,000 miles involved a PTU failure unrelated to throttle body. Most incidents occurred within 1–2 years of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds; Vehicle enters limp mode (reduced power mode); Orange/yellow wrench light appears on instrument cluster; Engine unresponsive to gas pedal depression; Very low, rough idle; Sluggish acceleration, especially uphill; Transmission gear-shift delay; Loss of power persists until vehicle is shut down and restarted
Codes mentioned: P2111 (Throttle Actuator Control System - Stuck Open), Powertrain failure code (per owner manual), Codes clear upon vehicle restart
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement required. One owner reported throttle body on backorder for weeks. One dealership stated defective throttle bodies are not uncommon on Ford vehicles. Dealer in one case misdiagnosed issue as motor mount.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Corporate and dealerships initially unable to provide authorization for repair without active diagnostic code present. Owners instructed to drive vehicle until failure occurs while connected to scan tool, which towing services cannot safely accommodate. Ford later authorized throttle body replacement after escalation. One case (complaint #5) required Ford Motor Company authorization before dealership could proceed with repair.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Explosion
The power transfer unit failed catastrophically at 96,000 miles, producing loud banging sounds from under the hood and burning odor before causing significant loss of vehicle control.
When: Approximately 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding sounds while driving at various speeds; Loud banging sound from under the hood; Loss of vehicle control; Abnormal burning odor; PTU exploded (confirmed by dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired. Dealership initially attempted diagnostics but found no issues and sprayed rust off exhaust.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA Hotline for assistance.
Reverse Gear Failure
Vehicle would not engage reverse gear when selector placed in reverse. Part replacement was delayed when manufacturer shipped a damaged replacement unit that had to be reordered.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not go into reverse when reverse gear selected
Repairs/costs cited: Part replacement required; damaged part initially delivered and had to be re-ordered.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When vehicle in motion on major roadway, loss of power and goes into limp mode. Yellow wrench lights up. Vehicle does not respond to throttle. I have to shut off vehicle and turn it back on . There is no DTC code when checked. I was almost rear ended with my children in the vehicle at time of incident. Car loses power and rapidly decelerates within 5 seconds. There is zero time to pull off the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Ford Flex?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 12,440 and 31,700 miles, with the median around 12,763. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,440; a quarter make it past 31,700. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.