Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2013. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2016.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Flex | 256 | 4 |
| 2018 Flex | 68 | 3 |
| 2017 Flex | 42 | 4 |
| 2016 Flex | 101 | 3 |
| 2015 Flex | 114 | 4 |
| 2014 Flex | 249 | 4 |
| 2013 FlexMost complaints | 580 | 6 |
| 2012 Flex | 64 | 2 |
| 2011 Flex | 144 | 2 |
| 2010 Flex | 139 | 1 |
| 2009 Flex | 181 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Electrical system396
- Steering381
- Unknown or other253
- Back over prevention240
- Structure193
- Engine183
- Fuel/propulsion system165
- Suspension107
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 170 Flex vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 57 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20 | 8 |
| 2018 | 9 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | 12 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 |
| 2014 | 17 | 6 |
| 2013 | 19 | 7 |
| 2012 | 11 | 3 |
| 2011 | 21 | 10 |
| 2010 | 23 | 7 |
| 2009 | 27 | 5 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 9 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2019 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Ford Flex SUV AWD | — | 15.1 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 11 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 11.5–12.7 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
| 2018 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
| 2017 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
| 2016 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
| 2015 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 9.5 | 11.6 |
| 2014 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.4 | 11.5 |
| 2013 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 9.5 | 11.6 |
| 2012 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.6 | 12.1 |
| 2011 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.9 | 12.3 |
| 2010 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
| 2009 | Flex · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.4 | 9.9 | 12.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
New registrations in Europe
4 new Ford Flex cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2011 and 2020, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2020 the largest markets were Spain (2).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 168 (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
14 campaigns cover the Flex; the latest 12 are below.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
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 may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 and Flex vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly. This can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to inaccurately register passenger weight and improperly suppress the passenger front airbag when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult passenger. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
NHTSA recalls