Table 1 shows two common engine and engine cooling related problems of the 2017 Ford Flex.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Engine Shut Off Without Warning problems | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling problems |
Loss of power, rpm too high for normal shifting up to 6 rpms. Cat converter noise after car shut off due to getting to hot. Fluctuation rpm at idle. Oil on top of valve cover.
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and potentially dangerous safety defect involving the internal water pump design in the 3. 5l duratec v6 engine used in my 2017 Ford Flex. The water pump in this engine is mounted internally behind the timing chain cover. When the pump fails, coolant is not externally visible but instead leaks directly into the engine oil. This design prevents early detection and warning, leading to rapid and catastrophic engine failure without adequate notice to the driver. In my case, the water pump failed suddenly, allowing coolant to contaminate the engine oil. This resulted in total engine failure and immediate loss of vehicle operability.