VehicleVerdict

2015 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Ford Flex sits mid-pack among Flex years: 119 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 178, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (21), steering (19), and fuel system (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

119

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2118%
Steering1916%
Fuel System1815%
Electrical System1311%
Transmission1210%
Other119%
Engine119%
Suspension76%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Speed Control22%
Body & Structure11%
Seats11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2015 Ford Flex have recalls?

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

25V695000Driver AssistanceOctober 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

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.

15V464000BrakesJuly 24, 2015 · 7,165 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that on several occasions, while in reverse (R), the image was flipped upside down or the screen was blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 5, 2025

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. SYSTEM WARNED OF VSC FAULT, THEN STEERING ASSIST FAULT, THEN THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST, AT 50MPH. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON AN AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOR A 2 MILES OR SO, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 26, 2018

DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A CLUNK AND FELT A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL. PULLED OVER TO CHECK VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR SOON BECAME ENGULFED AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE EXPERT HIRED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 2, 2017 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH WAS ON FIRE. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS NOT YET CONFIRMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 2, 2017 · fire

WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH AND THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER - KNOWN AS "LIMP HOME" MODE. CODES CLEAR UPON RESTART. TOOK IT TO DEALER AFTER FREEWAY INCIDENT ON 2/17/19, DEALER FOUND NO CODES, STATED IT WAS MOTOR MOUNT. GOT THE CAR BACK ON 2/25/17, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN 30 MILES. WAS ABLE TO PULL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 3, 2019

2015 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2015 Ford Flex reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 119 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Flex year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2015 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (21 complaints), steering (19 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2015 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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.