DecodedCars2009 Ford Flex
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited, 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or 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
- 1 campaign
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 23 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Ford Flex is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or 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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 3% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,641 lb | |
| 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,469 lb |
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 | -3% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | +2% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Ford Flex under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Ford Flex (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Nissan Pathfinder | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Dodge Durango | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
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.
Not every 2009 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Ford Flex buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 23 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 11 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 97,000 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 2009 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 | 257 |
| 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 | 115 |
| 2014 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 244 |
| 2013 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 6 | 554 |
| 2012 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 52 |
| 2011 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 112 |
| 2010 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 85 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →