NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Ford Flex Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Ford Flex has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 102 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Ford Flex, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Ford Flex owner complaints

Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Flex, describing incidents dated July 13, 2016 to August 2, 2026.

Most-cited components

Back Over Prevention 30 complaints
Electrical System 23 complaints
Unknown or Other 14 complaints
Suspension 10 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Structure 9 complaints

Of the 102 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 102 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11773680 · Filed October 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V69500 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…
ODI #11772455 · Filed October 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to display an image…
ODI #11771480 · Filed October 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

Read all 102 complaints

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

NHTSA #25V695000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2025 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,448,655 vehicles

Repair completion: 1.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 25SA9 · Owners notified January 2, 2026 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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 when the vehicle is in reverse.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture

NHTSA #20V072000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2020 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 211,207 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.52% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 20S04 · Owners notified October 28, 2020 · Vehicles built September 12, 2011 – June 1, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Oil Leak from Turbocharger

NHTSA #16V925000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2016 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,163 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 16S46 · Owners notified January 31, 2017 · Vehicles built October 18, 2016 – November 10, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2016 Ford Flex SUV AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional)

2016 Ford Flex SUV FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional)

102 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Flex.

Back Over Prevention

ODI #11773680

Incident: October 13, 2025 · Filed: October 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V69500 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a blank or distorted image. The failure almost caused the contact to strike a pedestrian. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Back Over Prevention

ODI #11772455

Incident: May 15, 2022 · Filed: October 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to display an image. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Back Over Prevention

ODI #11771480

Incident: October 13, 2025 · Filed: October 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

Back Over Prevention

ODI #11771336

Incident: September 15, 2025 · Filed: October 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera intermittently failed to display a clear image. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

Structure; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11761520

Incident: July 1, 2024 · Filed: September 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image. The contact made several attempts to notify the dealer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Back Over Prevention

ODI #11760311

Incident: August 15, 2024 · Filed: August 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed an inverted image. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11757878

Incident: April 5, 2026 · Filed: August 19, 2026

The car is experiencing turbo failure that lines up with the recall for the same model vehicle produced within the same 2016-2017 date. But for some reason this vin isnt included in the recall

Electrical System

ODI #11757098

Incident: August 2, 2026 · Filed: August 15, 2026

Radio making crackling noises, screen goes blank, cannot control a/c from touch screen and causes the a/c not to work on front vents. Vehicle inside died while the engine was still running in traffic and was unable to start/stop vehicle from running, a/c ran hot then vehicle stop running.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11754494

Incident: August 1, 2025 · Filed: August 3, 2026

There is a current recall on the backup camera that has been pending since 2025. Parts are still not available as of today even though Ford stated parts and instructions were going to be available before end of 2nd quarter, June 30, 2026. Camera has not worked since mid 2025, Ford has been aware since end of 2025.

Structure; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11751565

Incident: January 6, 2025 · Filed: July 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. A black screen was displayed on the screen while in reverse. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact paid out of pocket for the dealer to replace the camera. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Other Ford Flex model years

Check your 2016 Ford Flex VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Flex at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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