NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Flex[1]. The biggest groups are unknown or other, structure and back over prevention[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Unknown or other. 20 complaints[2]. These reports do not fit a named component, so the page can not say more about them.
- Structure. 18 complaints[3]. Owners describe door latches that will not catch, trim pieces that work loose and fly off on the road, and a rough metal edge near the front wheel well that can cut a tire.
- Back over prevention. 14 complaints[4]. Owners describe a rear camera that shows a blank, bent or blue picture when the car is put in reverse, or says the camera is not available.
- Electrical system. 12 complaints[7]. Owners describe air conditioning that changes by itself, radio and sound that cut out, key fob trouble, and a phone link that stopped working. Some also bring up the rear camera.
- Suspension. 9 complaints[8]. Owners describe a rear part letting go while driving, which left the car unstable and in some stories out of control.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Flex is necessarily included.
- Structure › Body (25V732), October 2025. About 92,347 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.[9]
- 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.[10]
- 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.[11]
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[6] | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[12] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
| Flex AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[13] | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder[16] | 285 to 355 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2018 compares with other years
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 68 complaints and 3 recalls for 2018[5]. Among the 11 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 8 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2017 (42) and the most are for 2013 (580)[5]. 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 2018 Flex?
The 2018 Ford Flex has 68 complaints on file[1]. Structure and the rear camera show up often in the groups we read[3][4]. Some owners also describe suspension trouble that felt scary on the road[8]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section[5]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many were sold[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Flex?
- The biggest named groups are structure and back over prevention[3][4]. Electrical and suspension reports follow[7][8].
- Does the 2018 Ford Flex have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year count is in[5] and each recall is listed in the Recalls section.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Ford Flex?
- See the Fuel section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2018 Ford Flex reliable?
- NHTSA has 68 complaints for this year[1]. See the problems and verdict sections for the details.
- Is 2018 the best year for the Ford Flex?
- See the by-year comparison on this page to compare it with other years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Flex
Compare all model years of the Ford Flex
Other Ford models from 2018
Similar cars from 2018: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Flex (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the back over prevention component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,500). 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
- 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 25V732, filed October 24, 2025: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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, 2018 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