Air Conditioner problems of the 2009 Ford Flex

We bought our used Flex in March 2015, and initially loved it. Once hot weather hit and we needed to use the ac, we no longer love this car. When sitting still at a red light, the air conditioner immediately fails and begins to blow warm air. I did some research online and found this to be a common problem with this model. As I can't afford to take it for the repair, I became used to turning off the air at every intersection. Last weekend (July 25, 2015), we were stuck in very slow moving traffic on the parkway - going no more than 10mph at most for approx. 30 mins, so of course we had to turn the air conditioner off in the 90+ degree heat. The temperature gauge normally runs around the half way point. It was not a gradual rise, but a sudden one to where the gauge was pegged at "h" and the warning light came on. We had a car full with my husband and myself, and 4 children - in bumper to bumper traffic in the midst of construction. We turned the heat up to 90 and turned the fans full blast to relieve some heat of the engine. That was not pleasant when the outside temp was already over 90! once we cleared the construction and got back to regular speed, the gauge dropped back to normal like nothing had ever happened. We've had it looked at since, and found that the fans on the radiator never kick on. Ever. During normal operation, especially when the car is hot, it should kick off and on often. The fans never come on. This is a huge and dangerous issue with this car! this should've been a recall and taken care of by Ford. This is not likely to be a "cheap" fix. Ford needs to stand by their vehicles and cover such a major issue that is not isolated to just a few cars.

I purchased this vehicle in may, 2014 as a used vehicle w/warranty (powertrain). While traveling from st. Louis, missouri in stop and go traffic, the car overheated. After speeding up to get out of traffic it suddenly cooled back off. Now, during this same time, the air conditioner stopped blowing cool air until we sped up to get out of traffic. After that, it didn't happen again until I was stuck in traffic. Same problem. The fans stopped working. Here recently, I was stuck in traffic and the car overheated and the check engine light came on. Only this time, when I sped up the car didn't cool down. The coolant was fine but the car still over heated. I took the car to the dealership today and was told that it is the cooling fan module and it should be replaced. Now, I've read in several different places that this is a problem with 2008-2012 Ford Flex vehicles. A recall was issued for the 2011-2012 series but not earlier models. Owners of these vehicles should not have to be responsible for faulty materials used to make these vehicles. The same recall that was afforded to the 2011-2012 models should also be afforded to owners of earlier models. The dealership wants $600 to repair this because my warranty only covers powertrain. Please address this ASAP. I have 6 children and cannot afford to spend $600 on something that is not even my fault or the fault of normal wear and tear.

2011 @ 47,813 miles: car not cooling or takes a long time to cool in cabin- Ford found "coolant fan inoperable and coolant fan assbly replaced" to min avail would stop working intermittently (purchased Flex used from dealer 8 weeks prior); air condition condenser damaged: "replaced air conditioner condenser, evc nd recharged system" by Ford (our cost) safety: passenger side air bag light comes off/on intermittently- Ford found nothing nor could reassure air bags working correctly; power steering cooler damaged- Ford replaced at our cost; may 2013 @ 63,349 miles: air conditioner intermittently shuts (off no blower) while lights showing a/c on- Ford, "rear actuators failed- replaced, updated temp. Sensor June 2013 @ 64,078 miles: passenger air bag lights come off and on intermittently- Ford found, " air bag wiring connector not securelu attached to seat frame; grinding noise and car seems to downshift while driving; Ford' "glitch in computer system;" clicking noise in dash board happens when a/c both off and on- Ford, "recirculation door actuator faiure- replaced by Ford; June 2014 @ 73,046 safety: air conditioner turns off intermittently, not cooling while idle; engine overheating quickly (I. E. At stop signs) all of which can blow the engine; we replaced cooling fan relay to no avail; Ford," cooling fan module failed- we replaced @ Ford for $1094. 26 to no avail. Engine continuing to overheat: air conditioer not cooling while idle.

Several complaints: first the a/c makes a popping noise when turned on. It works fine as of now though. Second, drivers side 2nd row seat will not fold down 99% of the time. It's stuck somehow. Third, gas light no longer works. Fourth is the biggy. Car is overheating due to radiator fan's no longer working. It runs hot when idling or moving at a slow pace. This has happened multiple times during the hot, summer months of + and I have a two and a four year old. Three days ago it happened in weather with a wind chill of below zero on the side of the interstate with my husband being my nearest help who was 45 minutes away. My children were crying after just 10 minutes or less that they were freezing and that their toes hurt. But what am I to do on the side of the interstate? I have contacted Ford several times and it's always the same answer "there is no recalls. Take it to your nearest Ford dealer". I found out at the end of last year that we have an extended care plan. It's currently all being repaired under the plan, thank goodness, with only a $100 deductible and a rental car. We're very fortunate in that aspect. I feel as though this should all be a recall due to the amount of people having these same problems, especially the overheating. Nobody should be having to pay a dime out of pocket to fix these issues. However, Ford could care less. They got their money from the purchase of the vehicles and obviously could care less about safety and making things right. When people ask how I like my Flex. My reply is "originally I loved it, now I hate it" and I tell them exactly why if they ask, which is every time. First and last Ford. Bad company all the way around.