Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-FORD-FLEXNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2016 Ford Flex problems
The 2016 Ford Flex has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 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 2016 Ford Flex has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 20 complaints, typically surfacing around 152,789 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Flex?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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: 2016 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 2016 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
electrical — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 152,789 mi · ~$850 to fix
suspension — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,579 mi · ~$900 to fix
powertrain — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,636 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 66,579 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 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.
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.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Flex· powertrain
Car lost power without warning while driving on highway. Warning light with wrench and "check manual" appeared. Dealer indicated recall 16b32 and replaced throttle body. I was never notified of recall. *tr
Gas smell and electronic issues. I bought my vehicle brand new. I first noticed smelling gasoline after the first oil change, so I had driven several months.the dealership blamed it on my undercoating stating that's what I'm smelling.it's gas definitely.I asked them to drive it…
Power steering would not engage when car was started in morning after two days of long driving. Would not engage with repeated efforts at starting. Had previously failed briefly while car was in motion at less than 10 miles per hour, six months before, but reinstituted when…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had frightened him because a…
Had a problem with your 2016 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.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
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
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Ford Flex is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Ford Flex?
The 2016 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 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 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 2016 Ford Flex?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 20 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 152,789 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2016 Ford Flex a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 93 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 152,789 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 2016 Ford Flex?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 152,789 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 152,789 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 2016 Ford Flex?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 93 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.
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/2016/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.
