DecodedCars2012 Ford Flex
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited/Titanium, 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 202 in
- Curb weight
- 4,469–4,641 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Ford Flex is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,641 lb (5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited/Titanium).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Flex →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited/Titanium | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,641 lb | 54/46 |
| 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,469 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -9% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Ford Flex.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Flex (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Nissan Pathfinder | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Dodge Durango | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2012 Toyota Sequoia | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · 695 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. 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."
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jun 2, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · 393,623 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Not every 2012 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Ford Flex buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 20 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Flex. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Flex years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 258 |
| 2018 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 69 |
| 2017 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 42 |
| 2016 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 101 |
| 2015 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 116 |
| 2014 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 244 |
| 2013 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 6 | 554 |
| 2011 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 112 |
| 2010 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 85 |
| 2009 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 89 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →