KnownCarProblems2017 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Flex, most often about the suspension (31% of complaints). It is 11th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2017 Ford Flex problems
Suspension
13 complaints · 31%The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while traveling at 45 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal as she heard approaching police sirens. As the contact came to a complete stop, she was hit from behind by another vehicle and was thrust into the middle of an intersection. The air bags did not deploy…
On monday, sept 28, 2020 at approximately 10:30 am while driving southbound on interstate 5 (just before the west mountain view overpass in firebaugh ca) doing 70 MPH, the car began fishtailing erratically - swerving between lanes. Fortunately, the driver was able to maneuver the car to the right shoulder of the…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 31%Loss of power, RPM too high for normal shifting up to 6 rpms. Cat converter noise after car shut off due to getting to hot. Fluctuation RPM at idle. Oil on top of valve cover.
Backup camera
7 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: warnings.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that months after a routine service appointment with a local dealer, the rear-view camera failed to operate as designed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention). The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted…
The contact owns a 2017 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 rear-view camera image was blank or inverted while the vehicle was in reverse(r). The dealer was…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at night, she noticed that the windshield showed distorted views of abnormal objects. The vehicle was taken to a corwin Ford located at 1225 auto plex way, pasco, wa 99301) for repairs however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected…
Steering
3 complaints · 7%On monday, sept 28, 2020 at approximately 10:30 am while driving southbound on interstate 5 (just before the west mountain view overpass in firebaugh ca) doing 70 MPH, the car began fishtailing erratically - swerving between lanes. Fortunately, the driver was able to maneuver the car to the right shoulder of the…
Electrical
3 complaints · 7%Body and structure
3 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side b-pillar applique trim detached and flew off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v829000 (structure) and 25v695000 (back over prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Ford Flex recalls
Body and structure: body
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 once the remedy is available, anticipated march 2027. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sb8. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on october 28, 2025.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger b-pillar door trim may detach while driving.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
B-pillar trim detachment
Summary
On august 7, 2025, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe25007 to investigate instances of b-pillar trim detachment in model year (my) 2019 ford flex vehicles manufactured by ford motor company. During the investigation, my 2011-2018 ford flex vehicles were analyzed as peer vehicles, and subsequently incorporated into the subject population because they use b-pillar trim pieces that are substantially similar to those used on the my 2019 ford flex vehicles. In july 2025, prior to the opening of pe25007, odi and ford met to discuss b-pillar trim detachment in ford flex vehicles. Ford reported that its warranty analysis indicated that flex b-pillar trim had a low detachment rate an
Questions about the 2017 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (13 complaints); other or unspecified (13 complaints); backup camera (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Flex have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 24, 2025 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 11th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 42 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.