Ford

Flex

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 2010 to 2019

Includes Flex AWD and Flex FWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 30 Flex trims All Ford cars

The verdict

Best year: 2018. complaints: 61, below this model's typical 118; recalls: 3, below this model's typical 4.

Worst year: 2013. complaints: 578, about 4.9x this model's typical 118; recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Ford Flex
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	3Gas	18	262	$3,450	1	139	0	STEERING 18%, ENGINE 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%
complaints: 139, above this model's typical 118 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	3Gas	18	309	$3,450	2	144	0	STEERING 32%, ENGINE 14%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 144, above this model's typical 118 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	3Gas	18	309	$3,450	2	64	0	STEERING 27%, ENGINE 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 64, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	19	285	$3,300	6	578	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%, STEERING 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10%
complaints: 578, about 4.9x this model's typical 118 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.7 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	19	285	$3,300	4	247	0	STEERING 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 247, about 2.1x this model's typical 118 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 Score: 27 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	3Gas	19	285	$3,300	4	96	0	BACK OVER PREVENTION 17%, STEERING 17%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16%
complaints: 96, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	3Gas	18	285	$3,450	3	86	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, BACK OVER PREVENTION 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 86, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	3Gas	18	285	$3,450	4	39	0	SUSPENSION 25%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25%, BACK OVER PREVENTION 8%
complaints: 39, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	3Gas	18	285	$3,450	3	61	0	STRUCTURE 21%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19%, BACK OVER PREVENTION 15%
complaints: 61, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	3Gas	18	285	$3,450	4	209	2 (1 open)	BACK OVER PREVENTION 44%, STRUCTURE 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17%
complaints: 209, about 1.8x this model's typical 118 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 36 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 18 to 2019: 18

Owner complaints2010: 139 to 2019: 209

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Ford Flex to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.