The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Toyota Highlander 372016 Honda Pilot 3402016 Ford Explorer 407
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2016 Ford Flex
- Backup camera23 complaintsmostly at 69,000–130,000 miles (111,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 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
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V695000 (back over prevention), 20V072000 (suspension) and 16V925000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- 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.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…”?
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 16 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 47K miles (18K to 76K km) on the car (16 of all 16 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
Car lost power without warning while driving on highway. Warning light with wrench and "check manual" appeared. Dealer indicated recall 16b32 and replaced throttle body. I was never notified of recall.
2016 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 10937522
More owner reports
Front wheels lock as the vehicle is reversing. Loud rattle noise from under vehicle transmission.
NHTSA complaint 11082549
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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…
- 2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police/Continental…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2016 3.5L engines only
Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
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 $3,150–$3,550 (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. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford Flex reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 70; 100 is average, lower is better). 2016 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.5× the average car's complaints. The Ford Flex year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (31%), engine (19%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Flex have?
3 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 2016 Ford Flex get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2016 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Ford Flex cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Flex year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
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