Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Ford Flex problems
Owners filed 104 complaints about the 2016 Ford Flex with NHTSA between Jul 2016 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is back over prevention (31).
Complaints
104
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Back over prevention31
- Electrical system24
- Suspension10
- Structure9
- Engine8
- Steering8
- Power train8
- Vehicle speed control4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Seat belts3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Latches/locks/linkages3
- Visibility/wiper2
- Lane departure2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
1
5
7
6
6
5
5
11
21
34
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 34 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Back over prevention
31 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Electrical system
24 reports1 crash
“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.”
Suspension
10 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Structure
9 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image. The contact made several attempts to notify the dealer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Engine
8 reports
“The car is experiencing turbo failure that lines up with the recall for the same model vehicle produced within the same 2016-2017 date. But for some reason this vin isnt included in the recall”
Steering
8 reports
“As I was driving turning at a light to go right all of a sudden my steering wheel got super hard and It almost caused me to get into an accident. I didn't have the strength to grip the steering wheel. Shortly after the advanced traction control service light came on. Luckily there was an auto parts store near the incident. I stopped left my vehicle running and got it scanned. There was a code that came up U0420-81 it was odd because my wheels where straight but the steering wheel was completely off. Then I turned my car off waiting at least 5 minutes. The traction control light came off and the steering wheel was normal. But as I went to back up and turn the steering wheel it did the same thing it got really stiff and I couldn't go anywhere. Then right away a steering assist fault message came on the dash. So just for safety reasons I left the vehicle there to come back later when I had help to tow it. 3 hours later we started the vehicle and nothing happened the steering was fine on the drive home no lights, no stiffness of the steering, no message displayed. Not sure what happened or why it did that all of a sudden when I was driving it. I've had this vehicle…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.