VehicleVerdict

2014 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 323 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Flex year — the 2014 model ranks #2 of 11 Flex years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (66), electrical system (60), and fuel system (49), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

323

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2014 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted777 complaints2009: 271 complaints2010: 181 complaints2011: 178 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 777 complaints2014: 323 complaints2015: 119 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 53 complaints2018: 81 complaints2019: 279 complaints
Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering6620%
Electrical System6019%
Fuel System4915%
Engine289%
Other278%
Suspension268%
Body & Structure124%
Driver Assistance103%
Transmission103%
Seat Belts82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Brakes62%
Latches & Locks41%
Airbags41%
Seats21%
Lighting21%
Tires & Wheels21%

Does the 2014 Ford Flex have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V072000SuspensionFebruary 10, 2020 · 211,207 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

16V621000Fuel SystemAugust 25, 2016 · 77,502 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Consequence

A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

14V710000SeatsNovember 7, 2014 · 113,418 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 and Flex vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly. This can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to inaccurately register passenger weight and improperly suppress the passenger front airbag when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult passenger. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Improper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger airbag.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will widen the gap between the seat frame and seat track assembly and recalibrate the seat OCS, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C10.

14V393000TransmissionJuly 2, 2014 · 83,250 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Consequence

If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. I STOPPED, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, AND IT RESET. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON, EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS SHUT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE LOCKED, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACHES 15 MPH. IT HAS ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 28, 2017

“My car thinks passenger door is constantly open. And my car alarm goes off sporadically all hours of day and night. Rain sleet or snow even hot weather. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2018 · crash

“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly after the steering wheel jerked in the right direction. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 6, 2024 · crash

“NO, THERE WASN'T A FIRE (YET). BUT YOUR SYSTEM WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO SEND THIS W/O PICKING ONE OF THE THREE INCIDENT OPTIONS. BAD RAW FUEL SMELL AFTER EVERY ENGINE SHUTOFF. CAR TAKEN TO FORD DEALER WHO TOLD US THERE WAS A TSB# 14-0091 FOR THIS ISSUE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 26, 2015 · fire

“The backup camera experiences intermittent error messages, doesn’t turn on, and 90% of the time the image is reversed like in a mirror ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 6, 2025 · crash

2014 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2014 Ford Flex reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 323 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 11 Flex years. It is one of the Flex years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (66 complaints), electrical system (60 complaints), fuel system (49 complaints).

Does the 2014 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Flex years should you avoid?

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

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.