NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The door trim panel on the B-pillar between the front and rear doors may detach while you are driving.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls, 38 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Ford Flex.
17–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
Suspension is the dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Ford Flex, drawing the most owner reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe steering or handling changes consistent with worn or failing suspension components, though the specific parts mentioned vary across reports. The back-over prevention system, essentially the backup camera, draws a smaller but notable cluster of complaints, with owners describing a blank or inverted image when shifting into reverse, leaving the camera effectively useless for its intended purpose. A single report describes the rear power liftgate opening on its own while the vehicle was parked overnight. One isolated report also details an internal water pump failure on the 3.5L V6 where coolant reportedly leaks into the engine oil rather than escaping externally, making the failure harder to detect before damage occurs.
38
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Ford Flex has 5 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk from a leaking turbocharger oil supply tube on 3.5L turbocharged engine models, and a rear suspension toe link that can fracture and cause sudden, unpredictable handling changes.
The turbocharger oil leak affects only vehicles with the 3.5L turbocharged engine, where oil can drip onto hot engine components and ignite. On the suspension side, this recall applies to Flex vehicles equipped with the SHO Performance Pack: a rear toe link controls the angle of the rear wheels, and if it fractures, the rear end of the vehicle can shift abruptly, making the car difficult to control. Two separate recall filings cover the same body trim defect, where the B-pillar trim strips running along the driver and front passenger door openings can work loose and detach from the vehicle while driving, potentially landing in the path of other vehicles. The rearview camera on certain vehicles can produce a distorted, flickering, or completely blank image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, reducing the driver's ability to see pedestrians or obstacles behind the car.
At a glance
What can fail
The door trim panel on the B-pillar between the front and rear doors may detach while you are driving.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exterior B-pillar trim pieces on the driver and front passenger doors may not be securely fastened and could loosen or separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will inspect the trims and repair or replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when you put the vehicle in reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links can crack under stress, potentially affecting rear suspension function.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The turbocharger oil supply tubes may be improperly brazed, causing them to leak oil onto engine components.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the turbocharger oil supply tubes and replace them if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
