AI Damage2016 Ford Flex: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford Flex filed 101 complaints with NHTSA, most often about backover prevention and electrical system. The maker issued 55 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 101
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 55
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Backover prevention 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Backover prevention: 29 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Suspension: 10 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 9 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 101 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backover prevention | 29 | 1 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 | 23 |
| Suspension | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Blue screen, camera not available warning that does not go away while driving, black screen, upside down screen, distorted screen, and intermittantly operational and then not!
I was driving down the road, heard a pop, fishtailed then rolled over 1.5 times into a ditch. A rear suspension part broke, indicated by groves made at the scene and camber of tire after accident. The rollover could have seriously injured myself or my passenger. The police report refers to a mechanical failure.
I had previously backed in and was driving out of the driveway when I noticed the garage door would not close. The flex continued to reverse up the driveway (uphill) with the driver's door open.
Drove my 2016 ford flex I tried to avoid animal on road and steering assist light came on couldnt steer and hit a pole. The dealership wouldnt look at cause I had it towed there told me I had to go where my inusrance would fix it I had no car for four months theres no recall on it cause its a new truck there were…
The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image. The contact made several attempts to notify the dealer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact stated that while in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed an inverted image. The dealer was not 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.
Radio making crackling noises, screen goes blank, cannot control a/c from touch screen and causes the a/c not to work on front vents. Vehicle inside died while the engine was still running in traffic and was unable to start/stop vehicle from running, a/c ran hot then vehicle stop running.
Shortly after the advanced traction control service light came on. Luckily there was an auto parts store near the incident. I stopped left my vehicle running and got it scanned. There was a code that came up U0420-81 it was odd because my wheels where straight but the steering wheel was completely off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 577 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Flex has 117 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 101, about average.
What to check before buying
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 25E10-S1 Owner letter
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain…
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through…
Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through 1-Feb-2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0715,P0717,P0756 and/or P2701…
- Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation…
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the…
NHTSA lists 55 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Flex?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: backover prevention, electrical system, suspension. Total complaints: 101. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (24%), warning lights, check engine (19%), infotainment or screen glitches (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford Flex?
NHTSA lists 55 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford Flex from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.