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Model year record

2016 Ford Flex recalls & problems

The 2016 Ford Flex has 3 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is back over prevention (32 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints102filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Back over preventionOct 13, 2025

Sensing system › Camera

Recall 25V6950001,448,655 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
SuspensionFeb 10, 2020

Rear

Recall 20V072000211,207 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Engine and engine coolingDec 22, 2016

Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger

Recall 16V9250001,163 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Ford Flex SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Ford Flex SUV AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Flex FWD

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Flex AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Flex AWD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Back over preventionRearview system braking; Warnings3210080,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer23100108,327 mi
Unknown or other1400130,500 mi
Suspension1010266,000 mi
StructureBody900062,155 mi
Power train810068,150 mi
Steering800082,000 mi
Engine800067,500 mi
Vehicle speed control400010,960 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)310025,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3000—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch300080,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.