CarBrief

Owners filed 256 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Flex[1]. The rearview camera and the door trim both have open recalls, and neither has a remedy available yet[2][3][4].

256owner complaints[1]
4recalls[5]
17–19MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 256 owner complaints for the 2019 Flex[1]. Four mention a crash, none a fire, 3 mention injuries and none a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Back over prevention[7] 145
Structure[8] 59
Unknown or other[9] 52
Electrical system[10] 23
Visibility/wiper[11] 11
Engine[12] 7
Suspension[13] 6
Lane departure[14] 4

Rearview camera. Back over prevention is the largest group[7]. In the sample of complaints we read for this group, all 12 describe a camera that shows an upside down, blank, blurry or flickering image[7]. Some owners say the dealer could not get a replacement part[7]. The same camera trouble shows up in the electrical group (9 of 12 sampled complaints)[10] and in the visibility group (9 of 10)[11].

Door trim. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 11 describe trim or a panel coming loose or detaching while driving, most often the driver side B-pillar trim[8]. Owners in the sample describe it flying off at highway speed. Structure complaints list 2 crashes and no injuries[8].

Other groups. The electrical sample also includes a few battery and starting complaints[10]. Engine has 7 complaints and suspension 6, which are small counts[12][13].

Recalls

Four recalls apply to the 2019 Flex, newest first.

You can check your VIN on NHTSA.gov. Ford customer service is at 1-866-436-7332[2][3][4][15].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates three versions of the 2019 Flex. All use regular fuel.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
3.5L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[6] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550
3.5L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive[16] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
3.5L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive[17] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950

All three list an automatic (S6). The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[6].

Safety ratings

In the NHTSA ratings we have, the 2019 Flex gets 4 stars for rollover in both versions[18][19]. The rollover risk is 15.1% for all-wheel drive[18] and 16.4% for front-wheel drive[19].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder as rated 285 to 355 hp depending on version[20].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Length[21][22] 202 in 202 in
Width[21][22] 76 in 76 in
Height[21][22] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,469 lb 4,839 lb

How 2019 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 recalls20142015: 114 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 100 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 42 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 68 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 256 complaints, 4 recalls2562019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Flex model year. The 2019 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091811
20101391
20111442
2012642
20135806
20142494
20151144
20161003
2017424
2018683
20192564

Among the 11 Flex model years in NHTSA's records, 2019 has the second highest complaint count at 256[5]. Only 2013 is higher at 580[5]. The 2014 model year is close behind with 249[5].

For recalls, 2019 has 4[5]. The 2013 model year has 6, and 2014, 2015 and 2017 also have 4[5]. The lowest complaint count is 42, for 2017[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2019 Flex?

The 2019 Flex has more complaints than most other Flex years, and they cluster around the rearview camera and the B-pillar trim[7][8][5]. Both have open recalls whose remedies are not yet available, so a car you buy today may still be waiting on both repairs[2][3][4]. Ask the seller to run the VIN for open recalls and check what the dealer says about parts. The recalls are free to fix when parts arrive. Fuel economy is modest at 17 to 19 combined MPG, depending on version[6][16][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Flex?
NHTSA lists 256 complaints[1], with 145 in the back over prevention group[7] and 59 in structure[8]. In the samples we read, the camera and door trim loosening stand out.
Has the 2019 Ford Flex been recalled?
Yes, four times. Two are for the rearview camera, one for B-pillar trim and one for starter and alternator cables. The camera and trim remedies are not yet available[2][3][4][15].
What gas mileage does the 2019 Ford Flex get?
The EPA rates it at 19 combined MPG for front-wheel drive, 18 for all-wheel drive and 17 for the turbo all-wheel drive[6][16][17].
How does the 2019 Flex compare with other model years?
It has 256 complaints, the second highest of the 11 years listed after 2013 at 580[5].
What is the rollover rating of the 2019 Ford Flex?
NHTSA gives 4 stars for rollover for both versions[18][19].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 256 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Ford Flex (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 25V732, filed October 24, 2025: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 24V951, filed December 20, 2024: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Flex model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. 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
  7. 145 complaints name the back over prevention component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 59 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 52 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 6 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 18V548, filed August 20, 2018: Electrical System › Starter Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Ford Flex with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 285 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. 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
  22. 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

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.