2017 Ford Flex Problems, Recalls & Reliability

56 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Ford Flex, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 8/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Suspension leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2017 Ford Flex has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

56Complaints
8/100Trouble index
4Recalls

Better year

Where 2017 sits among all Flex years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Suspension 13 complaints (23%)
Other 13 complaints (23%)
Driver assistance 7 complaints (13%)
Visibility & wipers 4 complaints (7%)
Steering 3 complaints (5%)
Electrical 3 complaints (5%)

Recalls (4)

STRUCTURE 25V732000 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent…

BACK OVER PREVENTION 25V695000 2025

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…

SUSPENSION 20V072000 2020

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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16V925000 2016

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…

Federal defect investigations

B-Pillar Trim Detachment PE25007 opened 2025, closed 2026

Technical service bulletins

81 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2017 Ford Flex. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2017 Flex TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2017peak 16 in 20252026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2017 Ford Flex reliable?

The 2017 Ford Flex drew 56 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 8/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).

What are the most common 2017 Ford Flex problems?

The top reported problems for the 2017 Ford Flex are suspension (13 complaints), other (13), and driver assistance (7).

Does the 2017 Ford Flex have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2017 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

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.