What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Ford Flex

Typical pattern

4.7% of complaints about the 2018 Ford Flex came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2018 vehicle — around the middle of the 182 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is other (17 complaints), typically at 7.8 yr or about 1,226 miles.

Complaints
85
Median age at failure
7.8 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=37
Crash / fire / tow
18.8% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Other
17 reports · 1,226 mi
7.8 yr
17.6%
Structure
17 reports · 68,000 mi
8.1 yr
0%
Back over prevention
15 reports · 103,000 mi
8.1 yr
20%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V732000 2025-10-24
Structure:body

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V695000 2025-10-13
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

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.

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V072000 2020-02-10
Suspension:rear

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.

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Other 900 mi 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
I HAVE A 2018 FORD FLEX WITH 900 MILES ON IT . I TOOK MY FIRST ROAD TRIP IN 8-4-2018 AND WHILE ACCELERATING HARD TO GET ONTO THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES WERE COMING INTO THE CABIN AT AN ALARMING RATE , I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN IT GOT SO BAD,MY EYES WERE BURNING ,FELT SICK AND MY CHEST FELT FUNNY. I TRIED IT SEVERAL MORE TIME WITH THE SAME RESULTS. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS WORSE WHEN I HAVE MAX AIR ON. NORMAL CITY DRIVING I DON'T NOTICE IT. I CAN'T TELL IF IT IS COMING THRU THE VENTS OR THE SEAL ON THE BACK DOOR.
Other mileage not reported 6.2 yr in service
As stated in the current 2019 Ford Flex recall; the rear camera system either flickers intermittantly or does not work at all - leaving a significant blind spot at the rear of the vehicle. NHTSA Recall ID Number :24V951 Manufacturer :Ford Motor Company Subject :Rearview Camera Image May Not Display MakeModelModel Years FORDFIESTA2019 FORDFLEX2019 LINCOLNMKT2019
Other mileage not reported 7.7 yr in service
Back up camera is showing up distorted black on the screen with a magnifying glass. I can not see to backup.
Structure 2,500 mi 2 mo in service
WHEN THE VEHICLES FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIRES ARE RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR CURB TOO FAST, THERE IS A SHARP PIECE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT OF THE BODY WHERE THE PLASTIC COWLING AND THE FENDER MEET. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES SO FAR ON THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BECAUSE OF THIS METAL PIECE THAT STICKS OUT. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WAS DOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY.

Other Flex model years

2019201820162015201420132012201120102009

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