What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Flex?

The largest group in the owner complaints is back over prevention, followed by the electrical system. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2016 Ford Flex have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 3 recalls for this model year. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Flex have?

NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for this year.

What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Ford Flex?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?

Complaints are spread over several component groups,. The by-year comparison on this page shows how this year sits next to other years of the same model.

2016 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Ford Flex^[1]. The same year also shows 3 recalls, which are listed further down the page^[2].

100owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

17–19MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the owner complaints on file break down by component group.

Back over prevention. 28 complaints^[4]. Owners describe a rear camera that flickers, shows an unavailable message, or never comes on when the car goes into reverse. Some say it failed again after repairs.
Electrical system. 23 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe door ajar warnings that appear on closed doors, a dead infotainment unit, and a backup camera that comes and goes. One owner also describes a gas smell that the dealer did not accept.
Unknown or other. 14 complaints^[6]. These reports do not name a clear component, so we leave them out of the story here.
Suspension. 10 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a strut mount that gave out with a squeak, and waits for parts after a suspension recall notice.
Engine. 9 complaints^[8].
Structure. 9 complaints^[9]. Owners describe door latches that break so a door will not stay shut, and door sensors that drain the battery.
Power train. 8 complaints^[10].
Steering. 8 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Flex is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (25V695), October 2025. About 1,448,655 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Suspension › Rear (20V072), February 2020. About 211,207 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger (16V925), December 2016. About 1,163 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[15]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 21 / 17	$3,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	15.1%
SUV FWD^[18]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	16.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2016 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[19]	285 to 355 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
FLEX 5DR CUV AWD^[20]	202 in	76 in	68 in	118 in	4,839 lb
FLEX 5DR CUV FWD^[21]	202 in	76 in	68 in	118 in	4,469 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Flex model year. The 2016 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2009	181	1
2010	139	1
2011	144	2
2012	64	2
2013	580	6
2014	249	4
2015	114	4
2016	100	3
2017	42	4
2018	68	3
2019	256	4

NHTSA's counts for the Flex show 100 complaints and 3 recalls for 2016^[2]. Among the 11 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2017 (42) and the most are for 2013 (580)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2016 Flex?

The complaint file for this Flex is spread across several groups, and the biggest one is the back over prevention group^[4]. The electrical system comes next^[5]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so they show what owners report and not how often a fault happens. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales either. Check the recalls section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Flex?: The largest group in the owner complaints is back over prevention^[4], followed by the electrical system^[5]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2016 Ford Flex have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 3 recalls for this model year^[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Flex have?: NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for this year^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Ford Flex?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?: Complaints are spread over several component groups^[4],^[5]. The by-year comparison on this page shows how this year sits next to other years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Flex

2009 181 complaints, 1 recall
2010 139 complaints, 1 recall
2011 144 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 64 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 580 complaints, 6 recalls
2014 249 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 114 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 this page
2019 256 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Flex

Other Ford models from 2016

2016 Ford Edge 926 complaints, 7 recalls
2016 Ford Escape 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Ford Expedition 217 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 Ford Explorer 2,483 complaints, 14 recalls
2016 Ford Fiesta 178 complaints, 0 recalls
2016 Ford Focus 1,194 complaints, 11 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2016: suvs

2016 BMW X5 74 complaints, 5 recalls
2016 Buick Enclave 141 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Cadillac Escalade 104 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Cadillac SRX 168 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe 257 complaints, 10 recalls
2016 Chevrolet Traverse 292 complaints, 5 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Ford Flex (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Flex model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
28 complaints name the back over prevention component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,327). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,150). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V072, filed February 10, 2020: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V925, filed December 22, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 285 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV AWD: 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
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FLEX 5DR CUV FWD: 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

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.

2016 Ford Flex: problems, recalls and fuel economy