VehicleVerdict

Ford Flex years to avoid

The Ford Flex years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2019, 2009 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2017 is the cleanest year on record.

2,514

Total complaints

14

Recall campaigns

2009–2019

Years covered

4

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Ford Flex NHTSA complaints by model year777 complaints2009: 272 complaints2010: 181 complaints2011: 178 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 777 complaints2014: 325 complaints2015: 123 complaints2016: 131 complaints2017: 56 complaints2018: 81 complaints2019: 301 complaints
Ford Flex NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Flex years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2013High complaint rate777
2014High complaint rate325
2019High complaint rate301
2009High complaint rate272

Every Flex year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2019avoid3014
2018813
2017564
20161313
20151234
2014avoid3254
2013avoid7776
2012892
20111782
20101811
2009avoid2721

Common questions

What are the worst Ford Flex years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Flex years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2019, 2009. The cleanest year on record is 2017.

What is the best year for the Ford Flex?

By complaint volume, 2017 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Flex years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Ford Flex have?

Across all model years, the Flex has 14 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,514 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.