The Lemon Index
201720191st generation
Better than average · most complaints: body structure
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Toyota Highlander 522018 Honda Pilot 482018 Ford Explorer 67
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2018 Ford Flex
- Backup camera19 complaints
Specific parts named in the 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 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 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V732000 (body structure), 25V695000 (back over prevention) and 20V072000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Ford sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…”?
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 2K to 49K miles (4K to 80K km) on the car (13 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
Door latch will not latch. Door will not close or lock. This happens when shutting door so door does not stay closed.
2018 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 11338571
More owner reports
Vehicle is not getting recommended mileage and is hard shifting
NHTSA complaint 11366470
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Body structure · recall issued 2025
The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
- 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.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedB-pillar trim detachment2025–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Flex SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Flex SUV FWD | 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. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Ford Flex reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 76; 100 is average, lower is better). 2018 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 2018 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (19%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and fuel system (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Flex have?
3 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Flex get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2018 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 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 2018 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Flex year is better than the 2018?
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