FordFlex2011Overview/ford/flex/2011/base/

2011 Ford Flex

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Flex.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Ford Flex is classified as an SUV featuring an Automatic (S6) transmission and an engine maintained with 5.5 qt of 5W-20 API oil, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/21/18 mpg. Ownership data for this specific year records 2 recalls and 144 total owner complaints, with Steering emerging as the top complaint area among reported issues. Contextualizing these figures within the model's 2009-2019 complaint history reveals that this model year sits well below the 2013 high of 578 complaints but above the 2017 low of 40. This placement marks the 2011 model as a middle-ground year within the years covered, providing a specific reliability baseline between the recorded extremes.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/21/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - EX. ECOBOOST · 650 - EX. ECOBOOST CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - EX. ECOBOOST · 650 - EX. ECOBOOST CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat9T4Z8A586B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4641 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 21 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Flex of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2013 Limited 3.5L EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010SEL 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2009Limited 3.5L V68.40 sec16.40 sec262 hpAWD
2009SEL 3.5L V68.40 sec16.40 sec262 hpAWD
2009Limited 3.5L V69.00 sec16.80 sec262 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.20 sec365 hpAWD
2016Limited 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.70 sec365 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.0-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.1 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65 - EX. ECOBOOST
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - EX. ECOBOOST cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - w/ECOBOOST

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na SFI ohms
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.014-0.018 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle111 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.122 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9017 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Ford Flex occupies a mid-cycle position in its generation, with federal complaint volumes (144) slightly elevated compared to the prior year (139) but still well below the 2013 spike (578). Recall activity held steady at two campaigns—identical to 2009 and 2012—while Technical Service Bulletins rose to 45, reflecting ongoing refinement rather than a sudden quality drop. Steering complaints dominate the 2011 data (49 of 144), a trend that persists across adjacent years but does not correlate with new recall filings or investigations. The absence of federal investigations and only one reported fire complaint suggest systemic risks were not escalating at this point in the model’s lifecycle. While the 2011 Flex is neither the cleanest nor the most problematic year, its complaint profile is unremarkable and recalls are limited to routine items; for a budget-conscious buyer, it represents a reasonable, mid-pack choice.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
45
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
144
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 144 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering49
Engine16
Power Train14
Seats7
Unknown Or Other5
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Electrical System4
Wheels4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V340000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 02/06/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

16V247000Air Bags:FrontalReported 26/04/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
SSM 492102020-09-25Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil…
SSM 481302019-08-09VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Flex. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Flex take?

5.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Flex have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Flex get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.