Is the 2016 Ford FLEX reliable?

The 2016 Ford FLEX has 117 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford FLEX?

Top problems: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (23 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (21 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (13 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford FLEX?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, SUSPENSION:REAR, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford FLEX?

The 2016 Ford FLEX gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford FLEX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford FLEX is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford FLEX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford FLEX has 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 178. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: rear park assist camera does not activate when in reverse. read passenger door lock pawl fracture-nhtsa recall. ford refuses to repair the recall because they did not issue the recall. this door has a fractured pawl lock/latch on the rear passenger door. car does not detect key. we paid addi. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 3 injuries

117

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

23 complaints

20%

• REAR PARK ASSIST CAMERA DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN IN REVERSE. READ PASSENGER DOOR LOCK PAWL FRACTURE-NHTSA RECALL. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ISSUE THE RECALL. THIS DOOR HAS A FRACTURED PAWL LOCK/LATCH ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. CAR DOES NOT DETECT KEY. WE PAID ADDI
• Rear backup camera fails. It was repaired once under warranty, (7 Jan 2019) second time under extended warranty protection (17 Jun 2021), now has failing for the third time. Local Ford dealer has the information and I have repair invoices.
• The backup camera safety system operates intermittently. We are unable to see behind us when backing up putting us and others at risk. Sometimes it works when in Reverse, but most of the time the touchscreen panel does not even change over to show the camera view at all. The Flex is a large vehic

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“REAR PARK ASSIST CAMERA DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN IN REVERSE. READ PASSENGER DOOR LOCK PAWL FRACTURE-NHTSA RECALL. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ISSUE THE RECALL. THIS DOOR HAS A FRACTURED PAWL LOCK/LATCH ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. CAR DOES NOT DETECT KEY. WE PAID ADDI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford FLEX

Based on 63 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 108K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 103K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 66K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Later than typicalmedian 82K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

High-mileage issuemedian 69K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER22/12/2016

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford FLEX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford FLEX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FLEX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 FLEX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 117 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: REAR PARK ASSIST CAMERA DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN IN REVERSE. READ PASSENGER DOOR LOCK PAWL FRACTURE-NHTSA RECALL. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ISSUE THE RECALL. THIS DOOR HAS A FRACTURED PAWL LOCK/LATCH ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. CAR DOES NOT DETECT KEY. WE PAID ADDI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: GAS SMELL AND ELECTRONIC ISSUES. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW. I FIRST NOTICED SMELLING GASOLINE AFTER THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, SO I HAD DRIVEN SEVERAL MONTHS.THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON MY UNDERCOATING STATING THAT'S WHAT I'M SMELLING.IT'S GAS DEFINITELY.I ASKED THEM TO DRIVE IT A WEEK SINCE THE SMEL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: PURCHASED A NEW 2016 FORD FLEX ON JULY 29, 2016, DROVE IT MOST OF THE DAY ON SATURDAY AND SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES MOSTLY EVERY TIME I EXILIRATED. WENTTO URGENT CARE SICK FROM EXHAUST FUME POISONING, GOT WORSE AS DAY WENT BY AND WENT TO A REGULAR HOSPITAL ER. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER ON MONDAY AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FLEX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AIRPORT MARINA FORD (310-574-2641, LOCATED AT 6701 CENTER DR W, STE 925, LOS ANGELES, CA 90045) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)