CarBrief

NHTSA has 249 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Flex[1], and the model year has 4 recalls[2]. Steering, electrical and fuel system reports lead the list[3][4][5], so check the recall status of any car you are considering.

249owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 249 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Eleven mention a crash, 2 a fire and 10 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Steering[3] 66 77,500
Electrical system[4] 57 57,000
Fuel/propulsion system[5] 46 62,098
Engine[7] 27 71,300
Suspension[8] 26 79,000

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 9 describe the power steering assist cutting out while driving or parking, often with a service warning[3]. In several of them it came back after the car was shut off and restarted[3]. Two injuries are tied to steering complaints[3].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 6 describe door ajar warnings or door lock and latch faults, and 4 describe the car stalling without warning[4]. One crash and one fire are tied to this group[4].

Fuel and propulsion. In a sample of 12 complaints, 11 describe stalling, a no-start or lost power, mostly traced by mechanics to the fuel pump module[5]. Several owners say their car was not included in the fuel pump recall covered below[5].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 5 describe stalling, a no-start or lost power, and 4 describe a strong exhaust or fuel odor[7]. Two of those odor texts look identical, so they may be the same report[7]. This group has 2 fires among its 27 complaints[7].

Suspension and power train. Suspension has 26 complaints and 4 crashes, the most crashes of any group[8][9][7][4][10]. Power train has 10 complaints and 3 crashes[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first[2]:

Recalls apply only to certain vehicles. Ask a dealer to run the VIN before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2014 Flex, all with an automatic (S6) and regular gas[6][15][16]. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl[6] 18 / 25 / 20 $3,350
AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl[16] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo[15] 16 / 23 / 18 $3,700

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2014 Flex a 4-star rollover rating in both drive types[17][18]. The listed rollover risk is 15.1% for AWD[17] and 16.4% for FWD[18].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows a 3.5L 6-cylinder rated from 285 to 355 hp, depending on version[19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD AWD
Length[20][21] 202 in 202 in
Width[20][21] 76 in 76 in
Height[20][21] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[20][21] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[20][21] 4,469 lb 4,839 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2009: 181 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 139 complaints, 1 recalls20102011: 144 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 64 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 580 complaints, 6 recalls20132014: 249 complaints, 4 recalls24920142015: 114 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 100 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 42 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 68 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 256 complaints, 4 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Flex model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091811
20101391
20111442
2012642
20135806
20142494
20151144
20161003
2017424
2018683
20192564

Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide. Across the Flex model years on file, 2014 has 249 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. Only 2013 (580) and 2019 (256) have more complaints, so 2014 is third highest[2]. The 2013 model year also has the most recalls at 6[2]. The 2017 model year has the fewest complaints at 42, and 2012 is next at 64[2].

Should you buy a used 2014 Flex?

The complaint count is neither the lowest nor the highest for this model[2]. The reports to watch are power steering dropouts, stalling and door sensor faults, based on the complaint sample we read[3][4][5]. Make sure the fuel pump recall 16V621 and the other recalls have been handled for the exact car, and ask whether toe link parts have arrived for 20V072 if it applies[11][12]. Ask for service records on the steering and fuel pump. A used car at this age should also be checked by a mechanic you trust.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Flex?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 66, followed by electrical at 57 and fuel/propulsion at 46[3][4][5].
Does the 2014 Ford Flex have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls: rear toe links, fuel pump module, passenger seat sensor and halfshaft[2][11][12][13][14]. The toe link remedy parts were not yet available in the record[11].
How many miles per gallon does a 2014 Ford Flex get?
EPA rates it 18 to 20 combined MPG depending on version: 20 for FWD, 19 for AWD and 18 for AWD turbo[6][16][15].
What is the rollover rating of the 2014 Ford Flex?
NHTSA gives 4 stars for rollover in both AWD and FWD[17][18].
Which Ford Flex year has the fewest complaints?
Among the years on file, 2017 has the fewest at 42 complaints[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 249 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Ford Flex (11 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Flex model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 66 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 57 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 46 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,098). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 27 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the suspension component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 10 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 24 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 20V072, filed February 10, 2020: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 16V621, filed August 25, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 14V710, filed November 7, 2014: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V393, filed July 2, 2014: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 285 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV FWD SE/SEL/LIMITED: length 202 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,469 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV AWD SEL/LIMITED: length 202 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,839 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.