2017 Ford Flex

4 Recalls · 100 Complaints · 0 Crashes · 2 Fires

Moderate

4

Recalls

100

Complaints

2

Fires

No crashes reported

The 2017 Ford Flex has 4 recalls and 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. No crashes have been reported. 2 fires have been reported. The most common issue involves suspension:rear. Compare this to the 2016 Ford Flex which had 3 recalls.

Recalls (4)

SUSPENSION:REAR
Feb 10, 2020

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.

Consequence

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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. ...

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Dec 22, 2016

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.

Consequence

An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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 custo...

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Oct 13, 2025

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...

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332...

STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 24, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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 o...

Owner Complaints (100)

Jan 2, 2026
MN

BOTH front door actuators have failed. Can NOT open the front passenger side door at ALL and the front driver side door will ONLY OPEN from the INSIDE. My passenger had to exit the vehicle through the front passenger side window when the door malfunctioned in January. Then about 2 weeks later we could no longer open the front driver's side door from the outside. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My front seat passenger was trapped in the car. Luckily the window was able to roll down and my passenger was limber enough to crawl out through the window.

Dec 14, 2024
TX

Over a year ago, my vehicles engine began ticking. On 12/14/2024, while driving the vehicle, it developed a rod knock, went into a limp mode and was towed back to our house. I eventually took the vehicle to Honda in Beaumont, Tx where they did an inspection of the vehicle and verbally told me it was the crankshaft, but would not provide me any documentation stating that. According to the lady at the desk, the service tech had never seen or heard of an issue like this in these vans. I was quoted almost $10,000 to replace the engine with a salvage yard engine with almost as many miles on it. I knew prior to taking it to Honda that there was a recall that did not cover my vehicle regarding this same issue. The vehicle is still parked at my house being started occasionally to keep battery charged.

Feb 18, 2026
OH

I was sold this 2024 Mazda cx30 from Ken ganley kia located in mentor Ohio (44060) the vehicle started showing major electrical issues. when they occur I have no control of the functions of anything in the cabin (infotainment, heat/air, braking system,) just to name a few. My wife and I were assured we were purchasing a good safe and reliable used vehicle. I feel this vehicle is extremely unsafe and unpredictable and ken ganley kia of mentor refuse to take this unsafe vehicle back or even pay for the repairs. I am utterly disappointed such a big name in the auto industry could turn there back on a customer not only that let a young family pull off in a unpredictable electrical nightmare of a vehicle and refuse to stand by it.

Jan 12, 2026
CA

While driving through west Los Angeles, the vehicle suddenly began emitting white smoke from the engine compartment. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a problem. The smoke quickly intensified and turned dark. Thick smoke filled the air, and the cockpit, with the smell of toxic fumes. I safely maneuvered to the shoulder and exited the vehicle with my passenger. Flames erupted from the front of the vehicle. We called 911, which dispatched the fire department. The LAFD responded, cutting open the hood in order to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a yard following the incident. The vehicle and its contents were declared a total loss.   BWM North America dispatched a technician to inspect the vehicle. After inspection, the manufacturer indicated that the starter was the source of the fire. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was subject to a safety recall related to the starter with no remedy available. The failure occurred without warning. Both occupants were exposed to heavy smoke.

Fire
Feb 27, 2026
TN

we've had to replace the engine. Twice and the electric power steering quit, working completely.And now they want five thousand dollars to replace it.When it's a known problem.

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Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Data reflects all recalls and owner complaints on file.