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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2009–2019

Ford Flex recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns and 1,919 owner complaints for the Ford Flex, covering model years 2009 to 2019. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (578), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford Flex VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 14 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,919 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (2009–2019)
  • most complaints: 2013 (578 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (394 complaints)
  • latest recall 25V732000 (reported Oct 24, 2025)
  • 64 complaints reporting a crash (3.3%)
  • 11 complaints reporting a fire (0.6%)
  • 45 complaints reporting an injury (2.3%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.1%)

Ford Flex complaints by model year

11 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2013 model year has the most complaints: 578 of 1,919, or 30.1%. Next come 2014 (249) and 2019 (249). The fewest are for 2017, with 42 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Ford Flex owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2009–2019Column chart of 1,919 complaints across 11 model years. The highest is 2013 with 578. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2009: 181 complaints18120092010: 139 complaints13920102011: 144 complaints14420112012: 64 complaints6420122013: 578 complaints57820132014: 249 complaints24920142015: 109 complaints10920152016: 98 complaints9820162017: 42 complaints4220172018: 66 complaints6620182019: 249 complaints2492019
Ford Flex complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Ford Flex complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
20091817250
20101399240
20111445181
2012644140
201357811190
201424911280
20151090210
2016984020
2017422020
2018667010
20192494010
All model years1,9196411451

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford Flex components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 394 complaints (20.5% of all 1,919), followed by Steering (381) and Back Over Prevention (226).

Components named most often in Ford Flex complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Ford Flex complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System39420.5%
Steering38119.9%
Unknown or Other25113.1%
Back Over Prevention22611.8%
Structure1909.9%
Engine1829.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System1658.6%
Suspension1075.6%
Power Train1055.5%
Service Brakes502.6%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)482.5%
Engine and Engine Cooling452.3%
Exterior Lighting422.2%
Visibility/Wiper392.0%
Seat Belts351.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford Flex recalls

14 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Flex, newest first. The 14 campaigns cover model years 2009 to 2019. The 2013 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

  • 14 recall campaigns
Ford Flex recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2009: 1 campaign
2010: 1 campaign2011: 2 campaigns2012: 2 campaigns2013: 6 campaigns2014: 4 campaigns2015: 4 campaigns2016: 3 campaigns2017: 4 campaigns2018: 3 campaigns2019: 4 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 25V732000

    Reported

    Structure › Body

    Model years 2017–2019

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

    Consequence:
    Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 28, 2025.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 25V695000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model years 2015–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 24V951000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model year 2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 20V072000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model years 2013–2018

    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.

    Consequence:
    A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 18V548000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Starter Assembly; Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator

    Model year 2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 16V925000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

    Model years 2016–2017

    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.

    Consequence:
    An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  7. NHTSA campaign 16V621000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2013–2015

    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.

    Consequence:
    A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  8. NHTSA campaign 16V247000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model years 2009–2012

    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."

    Consequence:
    An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  9. NHTSA campaign 15V812000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model year 2013

    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.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  10. NHTSA campaign 15V464000

    Reported

    Parking Brake

    Model year 2015

    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."

    Consequence:
    If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Show 4 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 15V340000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model years 2011–2013

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 14V710000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 2014

    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."

    Consequence:
    Improper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger airbag.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will widen the gap between the seat frame and seat track assembly and recalibrate the seat OCS, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C10.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 14V393000

    Reported

    Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft

    Model years 2013–2014

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. 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.

    Consequence:
    If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 13V227000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model year 2013

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford Flex questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Flex have?

NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Flex, covering model years 2009 to 2019. The most recent, 25V732000, was reported on October 24, 2025 and is filed under “Structure”. The 2013 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Ford Flex model year has the most complaints?

The 2013 model year, with 578 of the 1,919 complaints in NHTSA’s file (30.1%). The next are 2014 (249) and 2019 (249). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford Flex complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 394 complaints, or 20.5% of all 1,919. Steering (381) and Back Over Prevention (226) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Flex?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford Flex complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,919 complaints, 64 report a crash, 11 a fire, 45 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Ford models

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
  • Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
  • Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
  • Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
  • Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
  • Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
  • Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
  • Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.