Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Ford Flex problems

Owners filed 69 complaints about the 2018 Ford Flex with NHTSA between May 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (19).

Complaints
69
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure19
  2. Back over prevention14
  3. Electrical system12
  4. Suspension9
  5. Lane departure2
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Steering2
  8. Air bags2
  9. Power train2
  10. Fuel/propulsion system2
  11. Wheels2
  12. Engine1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Other / unknown20

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20184
20192
20207
20213
20223
20231
20244
202518
202627

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

19 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026StructureODI 11772640

Back over prevention

14 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Back over preventionODI 11762143

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11765293

Suspension

9 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Wile driving 40 mph, the right rear tire locked up and I had to counter steer aggressively to avoid spinning out and hitting oncoming traffic. The car was flat bed delivered to Ford and they recommended the following repairs. "Control Arm- Rear: rear suspension lateral links. The rear upper and lower control arms not only provide suspension travel but also secure the rear end to the vehicle." "*Tires - 4: passenger rear inner sidewall damaged."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Suspension, Service brakesODI 11740622

Lane departure

2 reports
“Recall has not been remedied, and it has been over six months.I was told it would be remedied by june or ford would be held accountable for compensating for repairs on the.Recall. #25SA9/25v695 The recall addresses the camera for backing up witch is still not functioning in a safety risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Lane departureODI 11741171

Service brakes

2 reports
“While driving in a 35mph zone, a complete loss of braking was experienced while coming up to an intersection. The vehicle was unable to stop, not even emergency brake function worked. An independent service center did a postmortem of the brake caliper and confirmed the fastener failure of the caliper bracket. The caliper fasteners sheared off inside the caliper resulting in the caliper piston falling apart while driving. This resulted in complete brake malfunction, and brake fluid leakage. There was no warning or message for this failure. The brakes experienced complete failure without warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2025Service brakesODI 11663134
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.