The Lemon Index
20181st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: backup camera
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Toyota Highlander 722019 Honda Pilot 2112019 Ford Explorer 32
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2019 Ford Flex
- Backup camera102 complaintsmostly at 40,000–69,000 miles (64,000–111,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 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 6 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 24V951000 (back over prevention) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…”?
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 12 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 6K to 39K miles (10K to 63K km) on the car (6 of all 12 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
1. Rear Camera, yes 2. Unable to see behind car thus unable to see people and/or vehicles. 3. Intermittent 4. No 5. Camera unavailable, camera no signal
2019 Ford Flex owner · NHTSA complaint 11448831
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
- For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2024
The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Show all 4 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
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
- ClosedRear-view camera failure2024–2026
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 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. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-flex/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Ford Flex reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Ford Flex reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 48; 100 is average, lower is better). 2019 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.5× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2019 Ford Flex problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are backup camera (25%), electrical (17%) and wheels (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Flex have?
4 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 2019 Ford Flex get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 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 2019 Ford Flex have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Flex year than the 2019?
Not nearby: the 2019 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Flex years within 3 model years of it.
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