VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2018 Ford Flex is among the quieter years of the Flex on NHTSA's books: 81 complaints (54% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (17), driver assistance (15), and other (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

81

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1721%
Driver Assistance1519%
Other1519%
Electrical System1215%
Suspension911%
Transmission22%
Brakes22%
Fuel System22%
Steering22%
Airbags22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Engine11%

Does the 2018 Ford Flex have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Keypad on driver’s side door became dislodged on the highway, flailed around, hitting the side of the car and window in the process. It then proceeds to break in half and flies off going down the highway. Then since the bottom half is still plugged in, it was flopping around and hitting the car…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 7, 2025

“Audio throughout the entire vehicle are malfunctioning as well as the reverse camera malfunction. This has caused a collision the 11th of October. The ACM is severely malfunctioning and causing a huge safety hazard. No audio like radio, etc and alerts make sound not touch panel tones. Camera…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 11, 2025 · crash

“Audio throughout the entire vehicle are malfunctioning as well as the reverse camera malfunction. This has caused a collision the 11th of October. The ACM is severely malfunctioning and causing a huge safety hazard. No audio like radio, etc and alerts make sound not touch panel tones. Camera…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 11, 2025 · crash

“Audio throughout the entire vehicle are malfunctioning as well as the reverse camera malfunction. This has caused a collision the 11th of October. The ACM is severely malfunctioning and causing a huge safety hazard. No audio like radio, etc and alerts make sound not touch panel tones. Camera…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 11, 2025 · crash

“The cars rear toe link broke while driving. It cause the vehicle to go out of control and wreck I to the guard rail. Another motorist hit the car as it was wrecking. The local Ford dealership confirmed that the rear toe link failed and replaced them with redesigned ones that are safer. I had to pay…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 18, 2022 · crash

2018 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford Flex reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 81 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Flex year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (17 complaints), driver assistance (15 complaints), other (15 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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.