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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-FORD-FLEX NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford

2014 Ford Flex problems

The 2014 Ford Flex has 249 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2014 Ford Flex has 249 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 66 complaints, typically surfacing around 84,402 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Ford Flex owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2011 Flex 144 2
2012 Flex 64 2
2013 Flex 578 6
2014 Flex (this page) 249 4
2015 Flex 100 4
2016 Flex 93 3
2017 Flex 42 4
2014 Ford Flex
Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · representative photo of the Ford Flex
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Flex?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings

Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Ford Flex SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2014 Ford Flex? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 90,164 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2014 Ford Flex

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2014-ford-flex/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2014 Ford Flex reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2014-ford-flex/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2014 Ford Flex reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
66 reports · fails ~84,402 mi · avg $700
moderate
electrical
50 reports · fails ~58,018 mi · avg $850
moderate
suspension
22 reports · fails ~90,164 mi · avg $900
severe
engine
18 reports · fails ~71,534 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
8 reports · fails ~65,971 mi · avg $2,500
severe
seatbelts
6 reports · fails ~78,650 mi · avg $500
moderate
visibility
6 reports · fails ~41,388 mi · avg $350
moderate
body
4 reports · fails ~39,167 mi · avg $1,500
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2014 Ford Flex

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~57,000 mielectrical~$850
  2. ~80,000 misteering~$700
  3. ~80,000 miengine~$3,100
  4. ~100,000 misuspension~$900

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Flex's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Flex?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Flex · body
When temperatures are less than 40 degrees f, the rear hatch will not latch when closed after being opened. The hatch opens fine, but it will not latch unless warmed. I have had it checked by a Ford dealer and an independent mechanic, but no solution has been found. This…
12/29/2017 · at 50,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057293.0 · see body pattern →
2014 Flex · steering
Electric power steering keeps going out randomly. Dangerous!!! I notice that there is a recall on this issue up to 2013 Ford flex models. Mine is a 2014. Needs to be recalled before someone is hurt! Happens mostly at startup but has happened when moving as well! This is very…
12/26/2020 · at 145,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385024.0 · see steering pattern →
2014 Flex · brakes
I went to the local kfc for dinner during my lunch break and when I came back to my vehicle after getting my food inside I started my car and proceeded to put it in reverse. As soon as I put the vehicle in reverse it proceeded to go forward instead. So I checked to make sure I…
12/25/2014 · at 7,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668235.0
2014 Flex · steering
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her father was driving at 10 MPH and attempting to complete a left turn, the vehicle suddenly jerked to the left. As a result of the failure, the vehicle struck the curb. Several weeks later, the failure…
View all 249 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 Ford Flex? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 20V072000 February 10, 2020

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

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

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V621000 August 25, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 14V710000 November 7, 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

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.

Fix: 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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2014 Ford Flex reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Ford Flex has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 Ford Flex?

The 2014 Ford Flex is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2014 Ford Flex?

Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 66 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,402 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2014 Ford Flex a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 249 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 84,402 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Ford Flex?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 66 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,402 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,402 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Flex has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Ford Flex?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 249 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Flex. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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