KnownCarProblems2016 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Flex, most often about the backup camera (28% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 8th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ford Flex problems
Backup camera
28 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview system braking, warnings, sensing system.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse (r), the rearview camera displayed an inverted image. The dealer was not…
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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated…
Electrical
23 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
Rear park assist camera does not activate when in reverse. Read passenger door lock pawl fracture-NHTSA recall. Ford refuses to repair the recall because they did not issue the recall. This door has a fractured pawl lock/latch on the rear passenger door. Car does not detect key. We paid additional for fob annual…
Gas smell and electronic issues. I bought my vehicle brand new. I first noticed smelling gasoline after the first oil change, so I had driven several months.the dealership blamed it on my undercoating stating that's what I'm smelling.it's gas definitely.I asked them to drive it a week since the smell comes and…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 14%"takata recall" my engine light went on 2000 miles before my manufactures warranty expired. I have a Ford shop here, but they are rated so low and I hear nothing but bad stuff about them, so I called the next closest 95 miles away in spearfish, sd. I explained to the guy what code the engine threw, but my light is now…
Suspension
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension) and had the vehicle serviced at tuscaloosa Ford (5801 mcfarland blvd e, tuscaloosa, al 35405). Months later, the contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, she suddenly lost control of the rear end of…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Ray haskel Ford (801 kennedy…
Engine
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles.
Ecoboost 3.5l vehicle experienced total loss of power and white smoke from tailpipes while driving 65mph on expressway but still ran. Drove straight to an independent service center where they diagnosed low boost pressure dtc and failure of both turbochargers. Towed vehicle to Ford service center where they dug deeper…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion and that the engine needed to be…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
Rear park assist camera does not activate when in reverse. Read passenger door lock pawl fracture-NHTSA recall. Ford refuses to repair the recall because they did not issue the recall. This door has a fractured pawl lock/latch on the rear passenger door. Car does not detect key. We paid additional for fob annual…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v695000 (back over prevention) and 25v829000 (structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(r), the rear-view camera failed to display…
Transmission
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
On the 4th of july my vehicle was stopped in my driveway with the transmission in park. I had exited the vehicle leaving the driver's door open while I walked up my driveway to clear an obstruction in the garage door safety eyes. When I got to the garage door I turned back and say my Flex reversing up the driveway…
I noticed one day when I drove to work and got out of my vehicle it smelled like transmission fluid burning took it to the dealer and they said it is a common problem with the Ford Flex that the trans fluid and coolant were getting mixed together because of the design of the A/C condensor etc.... If it is a common…
Steering
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The stability control warning light was illuminated, and the "steering failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ford Flex recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on october 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed january 2, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa9. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall bec
Full defect summary
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 distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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 second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of september 2020. The recall began october 28, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20s04.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s46.
Full defect summary
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 tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: backup camera (28 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 108,500 miles); other or unspecified (14 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Flex have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 8th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 100 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.