NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 104 owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Flex. Most complaints involve back over prevention (31) and electrical system (24). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.
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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
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. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
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 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts were not yet available.”
“I am writing about the two active recalls for my vehicle. They are both over ONE YEAR old from when they were announced, They both still state something like "Parts not available". How long does it take to get parts for this? My vehicle is directly affected by both recalls and I would like to get them repaired.”
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notice of an unknown recall associated with the right rear toe link, that was previously repaired. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 5 MPH, she observed a loud snapping noise emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to steer the vehicle into the drive way the vehicle the vehicle began steering to the right. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it has yet to be diagnosed as of yet. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 481 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 491 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 104 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are back over prevention (31), electrical system (24), suspension (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2016 Ford Flex at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).