Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Ford Flex problems

Owners filed 263 complaints about the 2019 Ford Flex with NHTSA between Apr 2019 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is back over prevention (148).

Complaints
263
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Back over prevention148
  2. Structure60
  3. Electrical system23
  4. Visibility/wiper11
  5. Suspension7
  6. Engine6
  7. Lane departure4
  8. Steering3
  9. Power train3
  10. Seat belts2
  11. Engine and engine cooling2
  12. Air bags2
  13. Forward collision avoidance1
  14. Visibility1

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 7, 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
20191
20203
20213
20225
202320
202428
2025100
2026103

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

Back over prevention

148 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. While reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently failed to display an image, and the front driver’s side B-pillar trim was loose. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Structure, Back over preventionODI 11775068

Structure

60 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated that while in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed an upside-down image, posing a safety hazard while attempting to attach a trailer to haul. A local dealer was contacted and confirmed the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Structure, Back over preventionODI 11772055

Electrical system

23 reports1 related recall
“My vehicle keeps stalling while driving down the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power and stops on the roadway. No indicator lights come on and after several times pushing the push ignition button the car will start. This has happened on several occasions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11743359

Visibility/wiper

11 reports
“1) rear camera recall since November 2024, still no action. No rear vision on camera. 2) trim panel on driver door has flown off on highway twice, have area covered with black tape for a year now. I have heard nothing from Ford or dealer. Can't even get through to the dealer's service dept.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2026Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11734562

Suspension

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after the wife had started the vehicle and attempted to drive forward, the front suspension failed and the vehicle became undrivable. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front driver’s-side suspension ball joint and axle had fractured, and the front driver’s-side wheel was pointed outward. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who replaced the lower control arm and the axle, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026SuspensionODI 11775650

Engine

6 reports
“On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 I drove my car without issue and parked in my garage. I later came out and while getting something out of the passenger side noticed fluid leaking out from under the car. After looking at it I decided it looked like the water pump. When I turned the car on it began making engine sounds (no check engine light has come on). With the sound I decided to have the car towed to a mechanic and was told the water pump failed. I chose to have it towed to another mechanic for a second opinion because of the sound and after testing was discovered that the engine is done for. I received no check engine light notification or any other indication that something was wrong. We have kept up with all maintenance for this vehicle so there’s absolutely no reason the water pump or engine should be failing with under 93,000 miles on it. Since we owe $10,000 on the car still we are forced to make the repair with a new engine putting us in a catastrophic financial situation. Water pumps are a known issue with the flex, but for it to occur at such low mileage is insane and for the engine to have failed without any warning is disgusting. On top of this there…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773690
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.