VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2017 Ford Flex is among the quieter years of the Flex on NHTSA's books: 53 complaints (70% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (13), suspension (13), and driver assistance (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

53

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1325%
Other1325%
Driver Assistance59%
Visibility & Wipers48%
Steering36%
Electrical System36%
Seat Belts24%
Airbags24%
Body & Structure24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Transmission24%
Latches & Locks12%
Engine12%

Does the 2017 Ford Flex have recalls?

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

25V732000Body & StructureOctober 24, 2025 · 92,347 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated March 2027.Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 28, 2025.

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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS SHE HEARD APPROACHING POLICE SIRENS. AS THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS THRUST INTO THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 3, 2020 · crash

“This be chile was purchased by me when living in the United States and imported when I moved back to Canada. The Rear Camera frequently shows as not working, goes blank or picture breaks up. It’s an on going problem, which makes parking and backing up problematic ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 17, 2025

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V732000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 13, 2025

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SHOWED DISTORTED VIEWS OF ABNORMAL OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CORWIN FORD LOCATED AT 1225 AUTO PLEX WAY, PASCO, WA 99301) FOR REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 31, 2020

“Backup camera frequently goes blank. I noticed an active recall for other ford vehicles and wanted to report I’m having the same issue with my 2017 ford flex, so I’m hoping the flexes will be added to the recall.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2025

2017 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Flex reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 53 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Flex year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2017 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (13 complaints), suspension (13 complaints), driver assistance (5 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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.