Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called mike raisor Ford (2051 sagamore pkwy s, lafayette, in 47905; (765) 447-9444) where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
2017 Ford Flex suspension problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Ford Flex in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Suspension accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Ford Flex models report rear suspension toe links cracking or fracturing during normal driving between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. When this happens, the vehicle wobbles, fishtails on turns, or drifts unexpectedly even at low speeds (30–45 mph), with the stability control warning light coming on. One owner hit from behind in stopped traffic; another narrowly avoided an accident when the rear suspension failed mid-turn.
Ford issued NHTSA Recall 20V072000 to address this problem on 2013–2018 Flex models, but the VIN range is narrow. Some 2017 owners experienced the exact same toe link failure yet fell outside recall coverage and had to pay out of pocket for repair.
The bigger problem: parts to fix the recall have been unavailable since the recall issued. Multiple owners called dealers months apart, received notices saying parts were now in stock, then found them still unavailable. Ford acknowledged the issue but couldn't give owners a timeline for when parts would ship.
One owner also reported front suspension hardening and steering resistance when towing, with a clunking noise, but the dealer found nothing wrong.
Same Ford Flex suspension reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Rear suspension toe link fracture
Right or left rear toe links fracture during normal driving, causing loss of rear suspension geometry and control. Some owners experienced this despite being listed in recall 20V072000 but excluded by VIN. Others experienced it after initial recall repair attempt failed or became available too late.
When: 70,000–100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle wobbles or fishtails during turns or lane changes; Rear end feels wobbly or unstable; Vehicle drifts or 'merges' unexpectedly when driving straight; Stability track warning light illuminates; Loss of control during normal or low-speed driving (30–45 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics diagnose fractured toe links requiring replacement. Repair costs not stated in narratives. Some owners paid out of pocket when VINs fell outside recall range.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04) addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013–2018 Ford Flex models, but VIN range excludes some 2017 models that experience identical failures. Recall repair parts remained unavailable for extended periods despite multiple notices.
Rear suspension toe link fracture—recall parts unavailability
Owners received recall notices for 20V072000 (Suspension) but dealers and Ford could not source replacement toe link parts for months, leaving vehicles unrepaired despite the active recall.
When: During recall service window
Symptoms owners cite: No actual failure experienced; issue is inability to perform recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers confirmed parts unavailable despite recall notice. One owner received a second notice stating parts were now available, but dealer confirmed they still were not. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V072000 issued; parts unavailable for extended period, delaying or preventing repair completion. Manufacturer unable to provide estimated timeline for parts availability.
Front suspension stiffness under towing load
Front-end suspension becomes very hard and steering becomes difficult when towing. Substantial clunking noise occurs under towing load.
When: During towing operation
Symptoms owners cite: Front suspension feels very hard when towing; Steering becomes harder under towing load; Substantial clunk noise when towing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer (Fort Sill S, presumed) states nothing is wrong despite owner's reports.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford flex. The contact became aware that his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Woody anderson Ford (2500 jordan ln nw, huntsville, al 35810, (256) 513-4597) was contacted by phone and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension). The contact called the bob ridings decatur dealer located at 3103 n 22nd st, decatur, il 62526, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to crossroads Ford of southern pines (1590 us-1, southern pines, nc 28387; 910) 692-8765) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V072000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second recall notice which stated that parts were now available. The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter…
Had suspension trouble with your 2017 Ford Flex?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2017 Ford Flex?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 82,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/Flex.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.