Ford Flex Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Flex model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (42) and the 2013 the most (580).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
42 | 4 | Suspension | — | 17–19 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
64 | 2 | Steering | — | 18–19 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
67 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 17–19 |
| 2016 | 98 | 3 | Back over prevention | — | 17–19 |
| 2015 | 110 | 4 | Back over prevention | — | 18–20 |
| 2010 | 139 | 1 | Steering | — | 18–20 |
| 2011 | 144 | 2 | Steering | — | 18–19 |
| 2009 | 181 | 1 | Engine | — | 18–19 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
249 | 4 | Steering | — | 18–20 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
252 | 4 | Back over prevention | — | 17–19 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
580 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 18–20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Flex years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Ford Flex: 580 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 201 (35%); Steering 149 (26%); Structure 69 (12%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Ford Flex: 252 complaints
Most-reported: Back over prevention 142 (56%); Structure 58 (23%); Electrical system 22 (9%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Ford Flex: 249 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 66 (27%); Electrical system 57 (23%); Fuel/propulsion system 46 (18%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Flex years with the fewest complaints
2017 Ford Flex: 42 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 13 (31%); Back over prevention 7 (17%); Visibility/wiper 4 (10%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Ford Flex: 64 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 24 (38%); Engine 11 (17%); Electrical system 10 (16%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Ford Flex: 67 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 18 (27%); Back over prevention 14 (21%); Electrical system 12 (18%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Flex owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 252 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2018 | 67 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2017 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2016 | 98 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 62,155 |
| 2015 | 110 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2014 | 249 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2013 | 580 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2012 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2011 | 144 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 73,500 |
| 2010 | 139 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2009 | 181 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 60,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Flex recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2015–2019 model years; 1,448,655 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V695000)
- Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist (2011–2013 model years; 393,623 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V340000)
- Fuel Delivery Module may Crack And Leak (2013 model year; 390,783 vehicles across all models; filed May 2013; 13V227000)
- Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture (2013–2018 model years; 211,207 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2020; 20V072000)
- Improper Airbag Suppression/FMVSS 208 (2014 model year; 113,418 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2014; 14V710000)
All 14 Ford Flex recall campaigns · Ford Flex problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Flex years FAQ
Which Ford Flex year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (42). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Flex years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2019 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Flex problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (395 of 1,926 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Flex have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns covering the Ford Flex. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Flex recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.