The Lemon Index
201420161st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,570 in the U.S. in 2015 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 30 complaints in its first 3 years.
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Toyota Highlander 652015 Honda Pilot 272015 Ford Explorer 267
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2015 Ford Flex
- Backup camera17 complaints
- Throttle body / loss of power15 complaintsmostly at 13,000–45,000 miles (21,000–72,000 km)
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 13,000–45,000 miles (21,000–72,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Ford Flex (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 11,000 and 32,000 miles (18,000–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 30 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V695000 (back over prevention), 20V072000 (suspension) and 16V621000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 54 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission fluid leak from converter housing area on police utility equipped with 6f50/6f55”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 30 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 32K miles (18K to 51K km) on the car (28 of all 30 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle would not go in reverse when put in reverse. Also, when the new part was delivered to fix the vehicle, they delivered a damaged part and had to send it back and re-order a functional part.
2015 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 10881542
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 54 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission fluid leak from converter housing area on police utility equipped with 6f50/6f55
- Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…
- To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Suspension · recall issued 2020
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2016 3.5L engines only
A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
Show all 4 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Flex SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Flex SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Flex year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2015" title="Ford Flex reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-flex/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Ford Flex reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,570 were sold in the U.S. in 2015 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2015 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system (27%), transmission & drivetrain (27%) and engine (27%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Flex have?
4 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Ford Flex get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Flex problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 11,000 and 32,000 miles (18,000–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 30 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Ford Flex cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Flex year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works