Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Flex electrical problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
4crashes
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of softwar
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2017-2022 Ford/Lincoln customers may experience a notification in the FordPassÃÂÃÂÃÂî/LincolnWayÃÂÃÂÃÂî app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. This occurs when the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SOC) drops below 50%. A warning may also set if the telematic control unit (TCU) has received an over the air update. The TCU powers down all communication when in this mode and app features are disabled. Manually start the vehicle to wake if from mode. More information is located in the app under: Account > Help > search 'Deep Sleep' in th
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software. If possible, using the original USB that installed the update, reperform the update and verify the navigation voice prompts have returned. Multiple reboots are expected when this update is being performed. Verify the Installation Is Complete message displays in the touch screen. If the original USB is not available, go to website https://syncnavigation.com/ford/home or https://syncnavigation.com/lincoln/home to download the files once more for the affected vehic
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Ford Flex shows a cluster of electrical failures, many surfacing without warning and several tied to documented collisions or property damage.
SYNC 3/APIM system failures are the most prevalent complaint. Owners describe complete audio loss, unresponsive touchscreens, navigation failures, and intermittent glitches—sometimes all occurring together. One owner's system failed just six days after warranty expiration at 32,000 miles; others report systems working fine until they suddenly fail in late 2025. Rear-view camera malfunction is equally critical: the display shows blank screens, distortion, inverted images, or "camera unavailable" alerts. Owners report collisions caused directly by camera failure, and in at least one case, camera replacement did not resolve the issue. Ford has issued recalls for both APIM and camera problems, but dealerships are directing owners to wait for recall parts with no interim remedy.
Secondary electrical issues include A/C systems that cycle off or blow hot air unexpectedly while driving, radio shutdowns, key fob failures, and wiper control problems. One owner's vehicle at 76,000 miles experienced simultaneous failure of wipers, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, auto start-stop, and remote start—diagnosed as BCM (Body Control Module) failure but not repaired.
Owners consistently report Ford dealerships are aware of these failures but cannot or will not repair vehicles outside of pending recalls. Warranty denials and refusals of goodwill coverage are common themes.
Same Ford Flex electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
APIM/SYNC 3 System Failure
The APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) or SYNC 3 infotainment system fails completely or partially, rendering the system inoperable or causing multiple simultaneous glitches. Owners report loss of all audio, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, touchscreen responsiveness, and system control. Some experience intermittent popping/cracking sounds, slow/glitchy screen performance, and phantom alerts.
When: Failures reported at 32,000 miles (narrative #1); August 2025 onward (narrative #5); September 2025 onward (narrative #3); no specific mileage for others
Symptoms owners cite: Complete audio loss (radio, alerts, touchscreen tones); Navigation system failure; Bluetooth connection drops; Slow, glitching screen response; Intermittent popping/cracking audio; Touchscreen unresponsive; System alerts malfunction
Codes mentioned: APIM module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives #1, #3, #5 mention APIM module replacement as the needed repair. Narrative #5 states dealership told owner nothing could be done until Ford's recall parts were ready. Narrative #10 notes SYNC 3 has been updated but problem continues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has multiple recalls for these systems (narratives #1, #2, #3, #5). Narratives #3 and #5 indicate Ford dealerships are aware and advising owners to wait for recall remedy. Narrative #1 reports Ford 800 number told owner nothing would be covered; local dealer refused goodwill repair because vehicle was not purchased from them.
Reverse Camera Malfunction
The rear-view camera displays blank, distorted, inverted (upside-down), or 'camera unavailable' alerts. Issue persists even after camera replacement. Owners report loss of reverse visibility, creating a documented safety hazard—narratives #2, #3, #5, #8, #9 report collisions or property damage directly attributable to camera failure.
When: Narrative #2: initial failure before 2022 replacement, recurrence a few months after replacement. Narrative #3: failure began September 2025, collision October 11, 2025. Narrative #5: August 2025 onset. Narratives #8, #9: failures preceded collisions in October 2025.
Symptoms owners cite: Blank or black screen in reverse; Distorted or wavy image; Inverted (upside-down) display; Blue screen with 'camera unavailable' alert; No warning lamps or messages prior to failure
Codes mentioned: Camera unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #2: camera was replaced in 2022 but same issue recurred a few months later. Narratives #3, #5: owners told by Ford dealership that nothing can be done until recall parts are available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has issued recalls for this issue affecting 2018 and 2019 Ford Flex models (narratives #2, #3). Narratives #3, #5, #6 indicate dealerships are aware and directing owners to wait for recall remedy.
Air Conditioning Control Failure
The A/C system cycles off or switches to hot air unexpectedly without driver input. Some owners report conflicting temperatures—front blowing cold while rear blows hot, or vice versa. Issue occurs while driving.
When: Narrative #7 provides no specific mileage or timing.
Symptoms owners cite: A/C turns off by itself while driving; Sudden hot air blowing from vents; Front/rear temperature conflict (one cold, one hot)
Radio/Audio Intermittent Failure
Radio and in-vehicle audio systems intermittently shut off or stop functioning. Loss occurs while driving or at standstill. This is distinct from the APIM audio loss in that some vehicles report localized radio problems separate from full system failure.
When: Narrative #7: no specific timing or mileage. Narrative #4: at approximately 76,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio intermittently shuts off; Audio cuts out during operation
Key Fob Failure
Remote keyless entry system becomes inoperable. Owner reports key fob will not lock or unlock the vehicle, occurring when car is stationary.
When: Narrative #7: no specific timing or mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob will not lock vehicle; Key fob will not unlock vehicle
Windshield Wiper Control Malfunction
Wipers engage and cycle erratically—moving significantly fast then significantly slow intermittently, without driver control input.
When: At approximately 76,000 miles; incident occurred during rain while driving 35 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers engage without activation; Intermittent fast/slow cycling
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was taken to independent mechanic and diagnosed with BCM (Body Control Module) failure. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer were not notified.
Driver Assist System Failure (Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure, Engine Auto Start-Stop)
Multiple driver-assistance systems become inoperable simultaneously—blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and engine auto start-stop all fail at the same time.
When: At approximately 76,000 miles; occurred during rain while driving 35 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot detection inoperable; Lane departure system inoperable; Engine auto start-stop system inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Failure was diagnosed as BCM (Body Control Module) failure by independent mechanic. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer were not notified.
Remote Start System Failure
The remote start function becomes inoperable and will not engage the engine remotely.
When: At approximately 76,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Remote start system inoperable
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
APIM or SYNC 3 malfunction. Navigation failure and not working properly alerts, clock in car not set correctly and won’t allow owner to fix it, no audio at all, no panel touch tones, popping/cracking intermittent throughout car, Bluetooth connection drops, slow glitching screen, reverse camera displayed distortion or black/blue screen with alerts saying “camera unavailable” which already caused a…
APIM is failing due to current recall with reverse camera. The glitching has cause many safety issues including •Navigation Fault •Cracking/popping audio •Missing touchscreen sounds •Intermittent system issues •Slow loading •Camera freezing or blacking out This has already caused a collision with my vehicle. Took it to manufacturer (Ford dealership) and they told me nothing they can do…
Hands-free connection to phone-Bluetooth. This happened a year ago. I believe around Sept 14th 2020. 6 days after warranty expiration the Sync3 hands-free system died on my Flex. I only had 32000 miles at that time. It was touted as a great safety feature when I purchased the car brand new. I live in Branson Mo where every road is curvy and drops off into ravines. The system is totally…
Audio throughout the entire vehicle are malfunctioning as well as the reverse camera malfunction. This has caused a collision the 11th of October. The ACM is severely malfunctioning and causing a huge safety hazard. No audio like radio, etc and alerts make sound not touch panel tones. Camera unavailable alert showed up as well as media unavailable showed on screen.
Media player unavailable alert comes on display. Touch panel tone doesn’t have sound, audio in car has no sound. Sync 3 has been updated. Problem continues as well as the rear camera issue
Rear camera malfunctioned screen showed “camera not available” didn’t alert any noise or warnings and a tree hovered slightly into parking spot and smashed in my rear window. Audio inside car malfunctioned as well (no musics, etc) and the touch pad tones stopped making sound when touched.
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 electrical problem on the 2018 Ford Flex?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 55,599 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2018/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.