Ford Flex problems
86 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 86 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?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Ford Flex does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Ford Flex?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 19 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 86 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.