Ford Specialty
Ford Flex Service & Repair
The Flex shares its underpinnings and much of its powertrain with the Taurus and Explorer of the same era, which makes it familiar to diagnose.
The naturally aspirated 3.5 is durable when serviced properly. The EcoBoost cars need the same turbocharged discipline as the rest of the range.
All-wheel-drive versions add driveline and PTU considerations worth inspecting rather than assuming, particularly on higher-mileage cars.
Generations
- 2009–2019
Single generation
Platform D4
Engines
3.5L Ti-VCT V6
Naturally aspirated
3.5L EcoBoost V6
Twin-turbocharged
Common Flex work
- Engine RepairMisfires, oil consumption, coolant intrusion, timing components.
- Transmission & DrivetrainShift quality, shudder, transfer cases, differentials and axles.
- Brake RepairPads, rotors, calipers, hydraulics and ABS diagnosis.
- Steering & SuspensionStruts, shocks, control arms, bushings, bearings and alignment.
- Cooling SystemsRadiators, water pumps, thermostats, hoses and overheating diagnosis.
- General MaintenanceOil services, fluids, filters, inspections and factory schedules.
Work we have actually done
- 2019 Fusion
2019 Fusion — severe steering rack corrosion, outside the recall
- Complaint
- Brought in for inspection. Steering-gear area showing corrosion well beyond the surface rust normal on a New England car of this age.
- Diagnosis
- Severe corrosion around the steering gear and motor attachment area. Ford recall 19S26 covers motor attachment bolt corrosion on certain 2013–2016 Fusion and MKZ — this 2019 is outside that population and does not qualify for the recall. We have not established that the failure mechanism is identical, and we are not claiming it is. What we can say is that the corrosion on this car is real and it is on a later vehicle than the ones Ford named.
- Repair
- Assessment ongoing. Documented here because a Fusion owner asking whether a later car can corrode deserves to see one rather than be told it is not covered by a recall.
- 2017 Escape
2017 Escape 2.0 EcoBoost — coolant in cylinder 3
- Complaint
- Coolant level dropping with nothing on the ground, a misfire that was worst on a cold start, and white smoke from the exhaust.
- Diagnosis
- Cooling system pressure-tested cold and would not hold. No external leak at any hose, the radiator, the pump or the housings. Plugs out and a physical inspection confirmed coolant entering cylinder 3 — which establishes where it is going, not yet what is damaged. Compression readings were not the thing that settled it; the inspection was.
- Repair
- In progress. The decision between a head-gasket repair and a long block depends on the condition of the block deck and bore bridges, and that is genuinely not knowable until the head is off. We will update this record and the article with what we actually find rather than with what we expect.
Flex repair pricing
We quote this work once we have seen the vehicle. The same job can differ a lot between model years and conditions, and we would rather give you a real number than a low one we have to walk back at the counter. Call and we will tell you what diagnosis costs and what the realistic range looks like.
Every repair backed by our 24 month / 24,000 mile warranty
Prices are pre-tax and cover the work described. Anything we find that changes the job gets discussed with you before it happens.
Common questions
Is the Flex related to the Taurus and Explorer?
It shares its underpinnings and much of its powertrain with the Fords of that era, which makes it familiar to diagnose and keeps parts available.
What should I check on a high-mileage all-wheel-drive Flex?
The power transfer unit and rear driveline in particular. Their fluid is often overlooked, and neglect there gets expensive.
Is the EcoBoost Flex different to service?
Yes. It is twin-turbocharged, runs hotter and has more plumbing than the naturally aspirated car, and it is diagnosed under load.
Are parts still available for these?
Yes. Component sharing with other Fords of the same era means availability is generally good despite the model being discontinued.
Is a Flex worth keeping?
They are practical and the naturally aspirated 3.5 is durable when serviced properly. We will tell you honestly what it needs and what is coming so you can decide.
Now open
East Bridgewater, MA
Black Oval Automotive530 Spring St Ste# 3East Bridgewater, MA 02333Hours Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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