Is the 2018 Ford FLEX reliable?

The 2018 Ford FLEX has 81 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BODY/STRUCTURE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford FLEX?

Top problems: BODY/STRUCTURE (17 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (15 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (15 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford FLEX?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, STRUCTURE:BODY. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford FLEX?

The 2018 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 2018 Ford FLEX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford FLEX is approximately $1,758/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.

2018 Ford FLEX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford FLEX has 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 178. The most common issue is body/structure problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: when the vehicles front left and right tires are retracted into the wheel well, for example when going over a speed bump or curb too fast, there is a sharp piece of metal that sticks out of the body where the plastic cowling and the fender meet. i've had to replace two tires so far on the front rig. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

10 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BODY/STRUCTURE

17 complaints

21%

• WHEN THE VEHICLES FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIRES ARE RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR CURB TOO FAST, THERE IS A SHARP PIECE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT OF THE BODY WHERE THE PLASTIC COWLING AND THE FENDER MEET. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES SO FAR ON THE FRONT RIG
• DOOR LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE OR LOCK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHUTTING DOOR SO DOOR DOES NOT STAY CLOSED.
• FLEX IS A SUPER LONG VEHICLE WITH LARGE REAR LATCH DOOR THAT ACCESSES BACK HALF OF CAR. TODAY, TAKING DOG TO VET, PUT HIM IN CRATE IN BACK, BEHIND ANOTHER CRATE, THROUGH REAR DOOR. HOWEVER, BATTERY WAS DEAD. NOW NEEDED TO GET DOG OUT TO GO IN ANOTHER VEHICLE -- BUT REAR DOOR LOCKED AND THERE WAS/

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN THE VEHICLES FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIRES ARE RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR CURB TOO FAST, THERE IS A SHARP PIECE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT OF THE BODY WHERE THE PLASTIC COWLING AND THE FENDER MEET. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES SO FAR ON THE FRONT RIG”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford FLEX

Based on 34 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 59K 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+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

Later than typicalmedian 88K mi · 6 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)

SUSPENSION:REAR10/02/2020

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 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 2018 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

$1,758

Full coverage / month

$147

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

+5%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1758

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 2018 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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 81 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHEN THE VEHICLES FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIRES ARE RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR CURB TOO FAST, THERE IS A SHARP PIECE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT OF THE BODY WHERE THE PLASTIC COWLING AND THE FENDER MEET. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES SO FAR ON THE FRONT RIG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I HAVE A 2018 FORD FLEX WITH 900 MILES ON IT . I TOOK MY FIRST ROAD TRIP IN 8-4-2018 AND WHILE ACCELERATING HARD TO GET ONTO THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES WERE COMING INTO THE CABIN AT AN ALARMING RATE , I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN IT GOT SO BAD,MY EYES WERE BURNING ,FELT S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Backup camera goes from working to blue screen when backing up. I've reset the settings but continue to have the same issue. Very dangerous. It's the same issue/problem that you just fined Ford $165 million dollars. The models covered by the Ford recall included the 2020 Ford Edge, Escape, Expediti
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL TURN OFF BY ITSELF OR BLOW HOT AIR OUT OF NO WHERE. SOMETIMES IT WILL BLOW HOT AIR IN THE FRONT AND COLD IN THE REAR AND VICE VERSA. THE RADIO INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF AS WELL. THERE ARE TIMES WHERE MY KEY FAB WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK MY CAR. THE A/C PROBLEM.HAPPENS WHEN THE
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)