2016 Ford Flex Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Ford Flex ranks 7th worst out of 11 model years, with a complaint index of 40 and a Good verdict relative to other Flex years. It had 98 complaints and 3 recalls, led by camera/collision-avoidance and electrical system issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #7 of 11 Flex years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 98
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Ford Flex problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras27 (28%)
- Electrical System23 (23%)
- Other14 (14%)
- Engine13 (13%)
- Structure & Body12 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (11%)
- Steering8 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Backup camera screens go blue, black, distorted, or upside down, with a warning that the camera is unavailable even while driving.
- Rear suspension components have reportedly broken while driving, in one case causing a rollover after a popping sound and fishtailing.
- Drivers report sudden loss of engine power while accelerating or merging, sometimes tied to throttle body problems.
- Some owners describe the accelerator pedal continuing to push the car forward even after taking their foot off, requiring hard braking.
- Power steering has reportedly failed to engage after starting the vehicle, in one case following a steering assist warning light before a crash.
- Owners describe loud rattling or clunking noises from the front end during gear changes and turns, linked to half-shaft problems.
2016 Ford Flex recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 20V072000Feb 10, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires211,207 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V925000Dec 22, 2016Engine1,163 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
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.
Risk: 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.
2016 Ford Flex fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Flex years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?
- Compared to other Flex model years, 2016 ranks 7th worst out of 11 with a complaint index of 40 and a Good verdict. It has fewer complaints than years like 2013, 2014, and 2019, which are rated Avoid.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Flex?
- NHTSA complaints show the top problem areas are Collision Avoidance & Cameras, making up 28 percent of complaints, and Electrical System, making up 23 percent. Engine, Structure & Body, and Suspension issues follow.
- Does the 2016 Ford Flex have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Flex covering the rearview camera, rear suspension toe links, and turbocharger oil supply tubes on 3.5L GTDI engines. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Flex have?
- NHTSA has logged 98 complaints for the 2016 Ford Flex, including 4 crashes and 3 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 62,155 miles.
- What year Ford Flex should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2013, 2014, and 2019 are rated Avoid for the Flex, with complaint indexes of 100, 80, and 90. The 2016 model year is rated Good in comparison.