Ford Flex: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
1,955 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford Flex, model years 2009 to 2019. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2009 (engine 5.2×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2017, 2012, 2018. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Flex | 181 | engine 5.2× | 1 | |
| 2010 FlexFEW REPORTS | 139 | — | 1 | |
| 2011 FlexFEW REPORTS | 144 | — | 2 | |
| 2012 FlexFEW REPORTS | 66 | quiet: 2 of 11 | 2 | |
| 2013 Flex | 581 | — | 6 | |
| 2014 Flex | 249 | — | 4 | |
| 2015 FlexFEW REPORTS | 117 | — | 4 | |
| 2016 FlexFEW REPORTS | 104 | quiet: 4 of 11 | 3 | |
| 2017 FlexFEW REPORTS | 42 | quiet: 1 of 11 | 4 | |
| 2018 FlexFEW REPORTS | 69 | quiet: 3 of 11 | 3 | |
| 2019 Flex | 263 | — | 4 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Ford models
Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2009201320142019