2016 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls & Reliability
129 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Ford Flex, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 17/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Driver assistance leads the reports, typically around 69,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2016 Ford Flex has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2016 sits among all Flex years
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse, the rear-view camera image was blurry. No warning light was…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Flex
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 61 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 62,155 miles. Half of those reports fall between 35,000 and 115,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a…
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply…
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford…
Technical service bulletins
86 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2016 Ford Flex. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?
The 2016 Ford Flex drew 129 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 17/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2016 Ford Flex problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Ford Flex are driver assistance (29 complaints), electrical (23), and other (17).
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Flex problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Ford Flex problems around 62,155 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 35,000 and 115,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Ford Flex have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.