AI Damage2019 Ford Flex: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Ford Flex filed 257 complaints with NHTSA, most often about backover prevention and structure. The maker issued 30 service bulletins for this year. We found 11 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 257
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 30
- YouTube repair videos
- 11
What fails most often
- 1 Backover prevention 56% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 2% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 2% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 1% of all complaints
- Backover prevention: 145 complaints (56% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 59 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Visibility: 12 complaints (5% of all).
- Suspension: 6 complaints (2% of all).
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 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 257 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 | 145 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 59 | 2 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 0 | 17 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable or displayed an inverted image while reversing. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, causing the vehicle to hit another parked unoccupied vehicle on one occasion, and the vehicle hit a dumpster pole on another occasion.
While the car was off and in park the car started to roll down drive and would not respond to hard braking
The contact sustained injuries on her ac joint (left shoulder) and her son (rear driver side) sustained back injuries and her daughter (rear passenger side) sustained injuries on her left knee.
The contact stated that while in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed an upside-down image, posing a safety hazard while attempting to attach a trailer to haul. A local dealer was contacted and confirmed the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted screen. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone.
As with many other 2019 Flex owners, I brought my Ford Flex in for a state inspection and surprise surprise! I have to replace my toe link already! Failure after failure.
I had to pull over and strap the lower part to the window/door frame and drive the rest of the way with my window down in hot weather for 60+ miles. This is part of a recall, but no remedy is currently available from Ford.
Seat belt on driver's side is not coming out smoothly. It will remain locked or come out only a few inches. It takes many tries before you can put the seatbelt on. It clicks out incrementally or sometimes it goes on smoothly with no problems.
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 250 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Flex has 117 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 257, above average.
What to check before buying
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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…
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- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
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- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
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- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
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- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
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- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
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- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
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NHTSA lists 30 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.
- Is the 2019 Ford Flex Still Modern?#FordFlex #2019FordFlex #UsedCarShopping
- How to Replace Front Control Arms 2009-2019 Ford Flex
- SHORT - 2009-2019 FORD FLEX 3.5 Engine removal from the top
- 2019 Ford flex 3.5 timing chain replacement. #automobile #mechanic #cars #ford #timing #fix #diy
- How to Replace Exhaust Manifold Catalytic Converter Assembly 2009-2019 Ford Flex
- 2019 Ford Flex Repair Rebuild Part 1
- 5 головних проблем позашляховиків Ford Flex 2009-2019 років 1-го покоління
- 2019 Ford Flex Problems and Recalls. Should you buy it?
- How to Replace Front Bumper Cover 2009-2019 Ford Flex
- 2019 Ford Flex Rebuild part 2
- How to Prevent Catastrophic Engine Failure In this 2019 Ford Flex!!
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Flex?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: backover prevention, structure, electrical system. Total complaints: 257. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (39%), infotainment or screen glitches (19%), warning lights, check engine (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Ford Flex?
NHTSA lists 30 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 2019 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 2019 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.