VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Ford Flex sits mid-pack among Flex years: 120 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 179, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (25), driver assistance (25), and other (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

120

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2521%
Electrical System2521%
Other1311%
Suspension108%
Engine87%
Transmission87%
Steering76%
Body & Structure65%
Speed Control43%
Seat Belts33%
Latches & Locks33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Fuel System22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Brakes22%

Does the 2016 Ford Flex have recalls?

3 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.

16V925000EngineDecember 22, 2016 · 1,163 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

Consequence

An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DROVE MY 2016 FORD FLEX I TRIED TO AVOID ANIMAL ON ROAD AND STEERING ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON COULDNT STEER AND HIT A POLE. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDNT LOOK AT CAUSE I HAD IT TOWED THERE TOLD ME I HAD TO GO WHERE MY INUSRANCE WOULD FIX IT I HAD NO CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS THERES NO RECALL ON IT CAUSE ITS A NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 30, 2016 · crash

“Same issue as ever expanding recall for safety camera backing up. Blue screen, camera not available warning that does not go away while driving, black screen, upside down screen, distorted screen, and intermittantly operational and then not!”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 1, 2023 · crash

“My vehicle is affected by recall 25V695. Ford dealership confirmed no remedy parts are available and cannot provide a timeline. This vehicle is part of my commercial fleet and I am unable to operate it, resulting in significant financial loss. The manufacturer issued a recall with no available fix,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 27, 2026

“I was driving down the road, heard a pop, fishtailed then rolled over 1.5 times into a ditch. A rear suspension part broke, indicated by groves made at the scene and camber of tire after accident. The rollover could have seriously injured myself or my passenger. The police report refers to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 5, 2024 · crash

“ON THE 4TH OF JULY MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. I HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE LEAVING THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN WHILE I WALKED UP MY DRIVEWAY TO CLEAR AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE GARAGE DOOR SAFETY EYES. WHEN I GOT TO THE GARAGE DOOR I TURNED BACK AND SAY MY FLEX REVERSING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 4, 2019 · crash

2016 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 120 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Flex year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (25 complaints), driver assistance (25 complaints), other (13 complaints).

Does the 2016 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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.