Ford Flex reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,749 complaints about the Ford Flex with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and steering. Ford has filed 1 warranty extension and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 14 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Flex? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Flex a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,749
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 1
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 14
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Flex with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 253 | Backup camera and rear sensors (57%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 67 | Other or unspecified (28%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 | 42 | Suspension (31%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 98 | Backup camera and rear sensors (27%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 113 | Backup camera and rear sensors (28%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 | 249 | Steering (27%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 580 | Electrical system (35%) | 6 | 1 |
| 2012 | 64 | Steering (38%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 144 | Steering (40%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 139 | Steering (23%) | 1 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Flex model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Flex, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. Models 2011-2013 Edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, mkz, F-150, f-super duty.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Flex model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system363 (21%)
- Steering358 (20%)
- Other or unspecified228 (13%)
- Backup camera and rear sensors222 (13%)
- Body and structure173 (10%)
- Engine145 (8%)
- Fuel and propulsion142 (8%)
- Suspension71 (4%)
Safety recalls
14 recalls cover at least one Flex model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied.
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly.
In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE25007Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2025, closed Aug 2026· Body and structure· model years 2017–2019
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Led to recall 25V732.
- PE24030Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2024, closed Feb 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2019
Rear-view Camera Failure
Led to recall 24V951.
NHTSA's own page for the 2019 Ford Flex has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Flex reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,749 owner complaints, 1 warranty extension and 0 service campaigns Ford filed, and 14 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (580), 2019 (253), 2014 (249). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Flex?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (21%), steering (20%), other or unspecified (13%). Ford has filed 1 warranty extension covering the Flex, listed on this page.
Which Flex model years have the most complaints?
2013 (580), 2019 (253), 2014 (249). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Flex with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Flex?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2013). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Flex?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 14 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.