FORD FLEX
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

Safety Recall

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and potentially dangerous safety defect involving the internal water pump design in the 3.5L Duratec V6 engine used in my 2017 Ford Flex. The water pump in this engine is mounted internally behind the timing chain cover. When the pump fails, coolant is not externally visible but instead leaks directly into the engine oil. This design prevents early detection and warning, leading to rapid and catastrophic engine failure without adequate notice to the driver. In my case, the water pump failed suddenly, allowing coolant to contaminate the engine oil. This resulted in total engine failure and immediate loss of vehicle operability.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V732000 (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 recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

My 2017 Ford Flex has an open safety recall for the rearview camera system (Ford Recall 25S49 / NHTSA Recall 25V695). The recall states the camera may display a blank image or show the message “Camera Unavailable” when the vehicle is placed in reverse. My vehicle is actively experiencing this exact failure. The screen frequently displays “Camera Unavailable,” preventing the rearview camera safety feature from functioning when the vehicle is put in reverse. I received the recall notice in October 2025. Since then I have contacted my Ford dealership several times and have been told that parts are still not available to repair the recall. Ford initially provided an estimated remedy date of January 2026. This date was later moved to June 20, 2026. I was recently informed that the date has now been removed completely and there is no estimated timeline for when the recall repair will be available. The safety recall remains unresolved while the defect continues to occur on the vehicle. The rearview camera is an important safety feature that assists drivers when reversing. I am submitting this complaint because the recall repair has been delayed for many months while the safety defect is actively occurring.

Hello, I recently submitted a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ford Flex. The complaint number is XXX. I would like to add additional information that I forgot to include in the original report. The vehicle’s power liftgate has intermittently opened on its own while the vehicle was parked. There have been occasions where I came outside and found the liftgate open overnight in my driveway. This issue appears to be intermittent and part of the same electrical problems affecting the backup camera system described in my complaint. Please add this information to my existing complaint. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was unreachable. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

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, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

While driving down the highway the black door panel next to the window flew off from the front passenger door and the rear drivers side passenger door. These were not loose or of concern previous to this happening. My concern when this happened is that it would hit another driver's vehicle and damage it, or potentially cause an accident because I was on the highway. Had I been on our pedestrian street, what if this happened and hit someone? I see there is a recall for other Ford Flex doors, but I'm not sure if this is the same issue. There were no warnings that this may happen, we noticed when they hit the rear windows when they detached and my children yelled about something hitting their window.

The rear seat belts come unbuckled. I was driving and about to get on a highway, and my children told me their seat belts unbuckled, another time it happened while I was driving in town. There's been a few others times too. I have not taken my vehicle to a dealer to check it out. This vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. No lights came on when the seat belt unbuckled. It has been happening on and off for a few years.

Back up camera has distorted image & blank screen

Backup camera frequently goes blank. I noticed an active recall for other ford vehicles and wanted to report I’m having the same issue with my 2017 ford flex, so I’m hoping the flexes will be added to the recall.

The backup camera failed in my 2017 Ford Flex. It has gotten worse over time and now doesn’t come on at all or just for a second or two. I get a blue screen of death most of the time. It makes it much unsafer to parallel park and backup into a parking spot. Every time I try to use it I get an error message saying the camera is not working. This message stay on the car screen until I press the ok button. Most times the error message doesn’t come on until I’m driving so I have to take my eyes off the road to acknowledge it. I took it to my local repair shop. They told me Ford dealership had to fix. Please add the Ford Flex to the recall announced yesterday.

The rear-facing camera in the tailgate of my 2017 Ford Flex is defective and is experiencing the same issue included within the recent NHTSA Campaign # 25V572000. The fact that the 2017 Ford Flex is not included within the recall is highly suspect and should be investigated further. Our safety and the safety of others is put at risk because the driver could accidentally back up into an object or individual, causing damage, injury or loss of life. The issue is reproduceable and has happened a number of times, and has been confirmed by our local dealer, Shawnee Mission Ford. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly (other than through the dealership), police, insurance, or others. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms other than those expressly noted in the aforementioned campaign.

My back up camera not working blanking out dorstort screen

Component or System Failed: The rearview/backup camera system has failed. The image consistently displays upside down when the camera activates, and at times the camera does not turn on at all. The system remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction severely impairs rear visibility when reversing, creating a significant safety hazard. The distorted image increases the risk of backing into pedestrians, objects, or other vehicles, especially in crowded areas or where children may be present. Problem Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced multiple times by me. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this specific issue by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Warning Lamps / Messages: No warning lamps or dashboard error messages appear when the failure occurs. The first occurrence was around [insert approximate date/mileage], and the problem has been ongoing since then. Additional Information: I am aware that Ford has an active recall for backup camera failures on certain models. My vehicle exhibits the same symptoms, but my make/model is not currently included in that recall. This is an ongoing problem. Not one specific incident.

This be chile was purchased by me when living in the United States and imported when I moved back to Canada. The Rear Camera frequently shows as not working, goes blank or picture breaks up. It’s an on going problem, which makes parking and backing up problematic

Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match: My Flex falls well within the model years (2013-2018) covered by the recall, and the failed part is the exact component under scrutiny. 2. Failure occurred during normal driving conditions and almost caused an accident. 3. Ford's recall criteria appear overly narrow, possibly omitting vehicles that still contain defective parts, like my vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether the VIN range for this recall should be expanded to include additional vehicles like mine that have experienced identical part failures with potential life threatening safety concerns. I have uploaded invoices from my local dealership repair facility. One invoice is for the work to replace the failed right rear toe link and the other is for preemptive replacement of the left rear toe link that I chose to commission on my own.

When I go in reverse my camera suddenly turns off or goes upside down risking property damage and personal injury. It doesn't happen every time just out of know where.

My car is making a weird popping noise accompanied by a slight jolt when it’s changing gears while driving. I was told the 2017 ford flexes where part of the campaign number 22S43 a recall affecting the 2017 Ford Flex primarily concerns a potential issue with the transmission shifter cable bushing, which could become damaged or missing, potentially preventing the transmission from properly shifting into the intended gear position and increasing the risk of the vehicle rolling away when parked. My vehicle is showing the same indicators.

My cv joints are popping I wanted to make sure this didn't have any recalls on it before I fixed it

Engine stopped turning while car was in motion, which shut the car down. An oil pump failure is suspected.