Total Complaints
41 filings
FORD FLEX · model year
41 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2017FORDFLEX carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 FLEX is suspension with 13 filings, followed by unknown or other (11) and steering (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2017 FLEX, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
41 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 13 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 |
STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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 wh
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that months after a routine service appointment with a local dealer, the rear-view camera failed to operate as designed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
While driving down the highway the black door panel next to the window flew off from the front passenger door and the rear drivers side passenger door. These were not loose or of concern previous to this happening. My concern when this happened is that it would hit another driver's vehicle and damage it, or potentially cause an accident because I was on the highway. Had I been on our pedestrian street, what if this happened and hit someone? I see there is a recall for other Ford Flex doors, but I'm not sure if this is the same issue. There were no warnings that this may happen, we noticed when they hit the rear windows when they detached and my children yelled about something hitting their window.
The rear seat belts come unbuckled. I was driving and about to get on a highway, and my children told me their seat belts unbuckled, another time it happened while I was driving in town. There's been a few others times too. I have not taken my vehicle to a dealer to check it out. This vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. No lights came on when the seat belt unbuckled. It has been happening on and off for a few years.
Back up camera has distorted image & blank screen
Backup camera frequently goes blank. I noticed an active recall for other ford vehicles and wanted to report Iâm having the same issue with my 2017 ford flex, so Iâm hoping the flexes will be added to the recall.
The backup camera failed in my 2017 Ford Flex. It has gotten worse over time and now doesnât come on at all or just for a second or two. I get a blue screen of death most of the time. It makes it much unsafer to parallel park and backup into a parking spot. Every time I try to use it I get an error message saying the camera is not working. This message stay on the car screen until I press the ok button. Most times the error message doesnât come on until Iâm driving so I have to take my eyes off the road to acknowledge it. I took it to my local repair shop. They told me Ford dealership had to fix. Please add the Ford Flex to the recall announced yesterday.
The rear-facing camera in the tailgate of my 2017 Ford Flex is defective and is experiencing the same issue included within the recent NHTSA Campaign # 25V572000. The fact that the 2017 Ford Flex is not included within the recall is highly suspect and should be investigated further. Our safety and the safety of others is put at risk because the driver could accidentally back up into an object or individual, causing damage, injury or loss of life. The issue is reproduceable and has happened a number of times, and has been confirmed by our local dealer, Shawnee Mission Ford. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly (other than through the dealership), police, insurance, or others. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms other than those expressly noted in the aforementioned campaign.
My back up camera not working blanking out dorstort screen
Component or System Failed: The rearview/backup camera system has failed. The image consistently displays upside down when the camera activates, and at times the camera does not turn on at all. The system remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction severely impairs rear visibility when reversing, creating a significant safety hazard. The distorted image increases the risk of backing into pedestrians, objects, or other vehicles, especially in crowded areas or where children may be present. Problem Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced multiple times by me. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this specific issue by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Warning Lamps / Messages: No warning lamps or dashboard error messages appear when the failure occurs. The first occurrence was aro
Component or System Failed: The rearview/backup camera system has failed. The image consistently displays upside down when the camera activates, and at times the camera does not turn on at all. The system remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction severely impairs rear visibility when reversing, creating a significant safety hazard. The distorted image increases the risk of backing into pedestrians, objects, or other vehicles, especially in crowded areas or where children may be present. Problem Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced multiple times by me. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this specific issue by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Warning Lamps / Messages: No warning lamps or dashboard error messages appear when the failure occurs. The first occurrence was aro
Component or System Failed: The rearview/backup camera system has failed. The image consistently displays upside down when the camera activates, and at times the camera does not turn on at all. The system remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction severely impairs rear visibility when reversing, creating a significant safety hazard. The distorted image increases the risk of backing into pedestrians, objects, or other vehicles, especially in crowded areas or where children may be present. Problem Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced multiple times by me. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this specific issue by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Warning Lamps / Messages: No warning lamps or dashboard error messages appear when the failure occurs. The first occurrence was aro
This be chile was purchased by me when living in the United States and imported when I moved back to Canada. The Rear Camera frequently shows as not working, goes blank or picture breaks up. Itâs an on going problem, which makes parking and backing up problematic
Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match:
Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match:
Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match:
When I go in reverse my camera suddenly turns off or goes upside down risking property damage and personal injury. It doesn't happen every time just out of know where.
My car is making a weird popping noise accompanied by a slight jolt when itâs changing gears while driving. I was told the 2017 ford flexes where part of the campaign number 22S43 a recall affecting the 2017 Ford Flex primarily concerns a potential issue with the transmission shifter cable bushing, which could become damaged or missing, potentially preventing the transmission from properly shifting into the intended gear position and increasing the risk of the vehicle rolling away when parked. My vehicle is showing the same indicators.
My cv joints are popping I wanted to make sure this didn't have any recalls on it before I fixed it
Engine stopped turning while car was in motion, which shut the car down. An oil pump failure is suspected.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started wobbling. The contact then stated that the vehicle suddenly changed and drove as if the vehicle was merging, while intending to drive straight. The stability track warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear suspension toe links fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that a year prior, the vehicle was repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of the complimentary warranty and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was then advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.