Structure: body
Remedy pending
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2018 Ford FlexRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 69 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Flex. Most complaints involve structure (19) and back over prevention (14). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2025
Owner complaints
69
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Back over prevention: camera
Remedy pending
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.
Suspension: rear
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
69 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Oct 2026
- Structure19
- Back over prevention14
- Electrical system12
- Suspension9
- Lane departure2
- Service brakes2
- Steering2
- Air bags2
- Power train2
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, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Structure
19 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V829000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and had replaced the part on three separate occasions. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.”
Back over prevention
14 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a black image. The vehicle was taken to two dealers, but the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”
Electrical system
12 reports4 crashes
“I own a 2018 Ford Flex, VIN 2FMGK5D8XJBA07166, with two open safety recalls Ford cannot repair: 25SA9 (rear view camera, NHTSA 25V695) and 25SB8 (B-pillar trim, NHTSA 25V829). My rear view camera has been completely inoperative for two years — it has not worked at all since mid-2024. On 7/12/2024 a Ford dealer verified the failure (repair order 568991), over a year before Ford issued recall 25SA9 in 10/2025. On 9/10/2026 Ford left me a voicemail stating there are no updates for 25SA9 and the 25SB8 remedy is not expected until Q1 2027 — over 15 months away. I have driven 2+ years with no functioning backup camera on a vehicle Ford knows is recalled. I request NHTSA treat this as a failure to provide a timely remedy and require Ford to provide an interim remedy or alternate vehicle and accelerate the repair timeline.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| 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 | 468 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Flex AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Ford Flex as of Nov 8, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2018 Flex questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Flex have?
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.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Flex problems?
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (19), back over prevention (14), electrical system (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Ford Flex get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Flex at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026