KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Flex, most often about the other or unspecified (29% of complaints). It is 9th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Flex problems
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 29%Steering assist failure. Bought the car new in nov. 2018 it had about 60miles on it and was the last Flex on the lot. Ever since I got it occasionally when I go to start it it says steering assist failure and will not start but after a few tries will start up fine. I tried taking it to the dealer a few months ago and…
Body and structure
18 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v695000 (back over prevention) and 25v732000 (structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign: 25v732000 (structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver-side b-pillar trim with the security key pad had detached and…
Backup camera
14 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 101,500 miles. Parts named most often: warnings, sensing system, rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v695000 (back over prevention) and 25v732000 (structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side door b-pillar trim had become loosened. The local…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 26v695000 (back over prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a black image. The vehicle was taken to two dealers…
Electrical
12 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: body control module/bcm.
The air conditioner will turn off by itself or blow hot air out of no where. Sometimes it will blow hot air in the front and cold in the rear and vice versa. The radio intermittently shuts off as well. There are times where my key fab will not lock or unlock my car. The A/C problem.happens when the car is in motion.…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers engaged but were moving significantly fast and significantly slow intermittently. The contact stated that the driver's assist system, including the blind spot detection system, the engine auto start-stop…
Suspension
9 complaints · 13%The contact's wife owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's and passenger's side wheels went left while turning left; however, the rear driver's and passenger's side wheels were going in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the suspension suddenly failed causing the rear end of the vehicle to become unstable and the vehicle fishtailed. The driver was able to drive to the side of the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 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.
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 2018 Ford Flex
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Flex?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (20 complaints); body and structure (18 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); backup camera (14 complaints, typically around 101,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Flex have?
- 3 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 2018 a bad year for the Ford Flex?
- It is 9th of 11 Flex model years by number of complaints, with 68 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.