VehicleVerdict

2019 Ford Flex problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2019 Ford Flex carries two red flags at once: 279 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 1.6× the Flex norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: B-Pillar Trim Detachment). It is one of the Flex years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: driver assistance issues account for 47% of all reports (132 of 279), far ahead of other at 46.

279

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other Flex years?

Flex NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flex years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Ford Flex problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance13247%
Other4616%
Body & Structure4616%
Electrical System238%
Visibility & Wipers124%
Engine73%
Suspension52%
Steering21%
Airbags21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Transmission21%

Does the 2019 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.

24V951000Driver AssistanceDecember 20, 2024 · 30,715 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.

18V548000Electrical SystemAugust 20, 2018 · 87 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.

Consequence

An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25007

B-Pillar Trim Detachment

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received five complaints alleging the detachment of the B-pillar trim piece in model year 2019 Ford Flex vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company.  The complaints allege that the trim piece can detach without warning while driving at highway speeds, resulting in a potential road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. One complaint alleges that the trim piece detached from the vehicle and subsequently struck a trailingvehicle on the roadway. ODI is also aware of allegations of B-pillar trim piece detachments in model year 2016-2018 Ford Flex vehicles. This investigation is focused on the 2019 model year, as the rate of allegations is much higher for that model year. However, the 2016 – 2018 vehicles will be assessed as peer vehicles in this investigation to understand any similarities or differences that may account for the differences in rates. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable or displayed an inverted image while reversing. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, causing the vehicle to hit another parked unoccupied vehicle on one occasion,…”

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

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at unknown speeds, the passenger's side rear door panel detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that it was unknown if the panel crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 10, 2020 · crash

“My Ford Flex has an open recall to fix the rear-view camera from December 2024. The status shows "Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available". This is now going on 18 months and it is unacceptable that they cannot fix it. It is a safety issue because my rear-view camera does not work and I am…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 20, 2024

“Backup Camera functions intermittently. This began at approx 37k miles and 25months of age (vehicle built in June 2019). Backup camera may work, or not, when the vehicle is put in to reverse. This is very similar to the behavior described in other Ford backup camera recalls for other vehicles.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 28, 2021

“Rear view camera inoperative. Safety recall issued Dec of 24 and still no sign of a remedy from Ford. That makes 2 Safety recalls on my vehicle with no fix. The other 25V732 was issued Nov 25. I’ve already had 2 incidents that resulted in minor bumps and scratches in the rear due to loss of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 6, 2026

2019 Ford Flex — common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Flex reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 279 complaints put the 2019 model at #3 of 11 Flex years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Flex years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Flex problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (132 complaints), other (46 complaints), body & structure (46 complaints).

Does the 2019 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Ford Flex under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (B-Pillar Trim Detachment). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.