Some 2015-2018 Flex, Taurus, Police Interceptor Sedan, and 2016 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a turn signal that does not operate as expected when the steering column multifunction switch is moved to the lane change position, then quickly changed to the opposite direction detent position before the lane change flashes three times. Reprogram the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) using the appropriate Ford scan tool or equivalent release 110.03 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. For claiming, use causal part 3F791 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manua
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Flex steering problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 19 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Ford Flex, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Steering accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 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.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report sudden loss of power steering assistance while driving, typically signaled by warning messages ("Steering Assist Loss - Service Now," "Power Steering Assist Fault," "Steering Assist Malfunction," "Steering Service Fault") and sometimes accompanied by chimes or dashboard symbols. The power steering system reverts to manual steering, making the wheel extremely stiff and requiring significantly greater effort to turn—a hazard especially at highway speeds and in traffic. Failures occur across a wide mileage range (52,000 to 183,000 miles), with no clear pattern tied to age or maintenance. Some owners report the issue resolves temporarily after restarting the vehicle; others experience persistent failure. Root causes cited by dealers and owners include motor position sensor faults detected by the power steering control module (PSCM), faulty steering gears, and faulty rack-and-pinion assemblies. Diagnostic code U3000 and related variants are mentioned. One owner noted a failure occurred shortly after a battery cable assembly replacement. Repair costs where stated range from $2,200 to $2,600. Most failures occur during active driving—at speeds from 25 to 70 mph—creating immediate collision risk. Owners emphasize the safety danger of sudden loss of steering control in traffic or on narrow roads.
Same Ford Flex steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering System Loss - Motor Position Sensor Fault
Power steering control module (PSCM) detects a motor position sensor fault, causing the system to revert to manual steering mode. The system generates warning messages and a chime. Steering wheel becomes very stiff, requiring significantly greater effort to turn.
When: Across a range of mileages: 52,000 to 183,000 miles; failures occur during active driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Warning message 'Steering Assist Loss - Service Now' or 'Power Steering Assist Fault' or 'Steering Assist Malfunction Service Required' displays; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and difficult to turn; Chime sounds to alert driver; Loss of power steering assist; manual steering only remains; Dashboard symbol (yellow car skidding image) may appear; Advance Trac warning may also display
Codes mentioned: Motor position sensor fault (PSCM detected), U3000, U300:49 48
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed in several cases; where attempted, diagnosis could not be determined or fault not duplicated at dealer
Steering Gear Failure
Steering gear assembly becomes faulty and requires replacement. Owners report the gear failing unexpectedly, resulting in loss of power steering assistance and extreme difficulty steering the vehicle.
When: Mileages ranging from 60,000 to 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist warning light illuminates; Loss of power steering functionality; Steering wheel becomes very stiff; Vehicle difficult or impossible to steer
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear assembly replacement: one owner reported $2,600 labor/parts cost; another noted entire steering rack replacement needed at 60,000 miles
Rack and Pinion Failure
Rack-and-pinion assembly becomes faulty, diagnosed at dealer as requiring replacement. Causes severe steering difficulty.
When: At approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering Assist and Advance Track messages displayed; Steering wheel very difficult to turn in either direction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed faulty rack and pinion requiring replacement; repair not completed as of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance offered
Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) Failure
Power steering control module fails, causing complete loss of power steering assist and extreme difficulty steering. In one case, dealership confirmed PSCM failure at 52,000 miles.
When: At approximately 52,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warnings appear quickly on dashboard; All power steering functions stop working simultaneously; Vehicle extremely difficult to steer; steering wheel attempts self-correction, making vehicle inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: PSCM replacement; cost reported as $2,200 at 52,000 miles
Intermittent Power Steering Loss - Cause Undetermined
Power steering assistance fails suddenly and intermittently during driving; the issue may resolve temporarily after vehicle restart. Root cause could not be determined by independent mechanic or dealer in some cases.
When: Mileages ranging from 130,000 to 145,000 miles; some cases on two or three separate occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Power Steering Assist Fault message displayed; Steering wheel becomes very stiff; Temporary failure that may resolve after restart; Intermittent recurrence on multiple driving occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic unable to determine cause; dealer unable to duplicate failure on first occurrence; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to dealer for diagnostic testing and referred owner to NHTSA Hotline for assistance
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was exiting the interstate and an error message came up in mid turn and I lost my power assisted steering causing me to almost hit the concrete divider.
Was stopped at light vehicle steering would not turn I put the car in park turned off engine then on. Steering work ok for time being. Definitely a safety issue
I was driving at 70mph and started receiving warnings about my advance trac. I that point I slowed down and pulled over and lost all power steering.
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2015 Ford Flex?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 52,235 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 69,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,235; a quarter make it past 96,000. 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/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.