2018 FORD FLEX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
56
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 FORD FLEX
The 2018 FORD FLEX has received a total of 56 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 13 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (13 complaints), Electrical System (8 complaints), and Suspension (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2018 FORD FLEX
NHTSA has recorded 13 recalls for the 2018 FORD FLEX, potentially affecting up to 14,827,633 vehicles.
Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 25V695000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 1,448,655 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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)...
View full details →Recall 20V072000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 211,207 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 25V732000 — STRUCTURE:BODY
| 64,938 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact...
View full details →Recall 25V732000 — STRUCTURE:BODY
| 64,938 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 FORD FLEX
56 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 FORD FLEX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Warnings | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systembody Control Modulebcm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers engaged but were moving significantly fast and significantly slow intermittently. The contact stated that the driver's assist system, including the blind spot detection system, the engine auto Start-Stop system, and the lane departure systems, was inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the remote start system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with BCM failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera display occasionally operated as needed. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that there was an unrepaired recall on the vehicle due to a safety issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was used for transporting children. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
The trim on the driver's door broke in half causing it to fly into the traffic behind me.
APIM or SYNC 3 malfunction. Navigation failure and not working properly alerts, clock in car not set correctly and won’t allow owner to fix it, no audio at all, no panel touch tones, popping/cracking intermittent throughout car, Bluetooth connection drops, slow glitching screen, reverse camera displayed distortion or black/blue screen with alerts saying “camera unavailable” which already caused a collision on 10/11/2025. Vehicle was taken to ford dealership an owner was advised to wait for recall remedy unless “I have an endless wallet” to pay to fix issue. Ford dealership is aware of all issues and owner opened a case with ford company. There were no warning signs of issue until reverse camera began to malfunction in September 2025 then issues all happened after.
APIM is failing due to current recall with reverse camera. The glitching has cause many safety issues including •Navigation Fault •Cracking/popping audio •Missing touchscreen sounds •Intermittent system issues •Slow loading •Camera freezing or blacking out This has already caused a collision with my vehicle. Took it to manufacturer (Ford dealership) and they told me nothing they can do until recall has parts ready. Prior to all this, my car system was working just fine up until August 2025. No issues AT ALL.
Safety Rating for the 2018 FORD FLEX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 FORD FLEX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 FORD FLEX
Ford Motor Company has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 FORD FLEX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB 20-2427 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Some 2016-2019 Flex vehicles equipped with a factory keyless entry keypad may exhibit a loose driver side B-pillar front door upper moulding. This may be caused by a lack of adhesion of the front door upper moulding to the door. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to...
TSB 19-2212 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Some 2018-2019 Explorer/Flex/Taurus/MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), powertrain malfunction (wrench) lamp, Service AdvanceTrac message, Hill Start Assist Not Available message, and/or lack of power with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0107, P0108 and/or P0109 present. This may be due to...
SSM 47466 — SERVICE BRAKES
Some 2018 F-Superduty/F-150/Explorer/Taurus/Flex/MKT/Fiesta vehicles built on 8-Mar-2018 and through 18-Jun-2018 may exhibit a soft brake pedal and/or long brake pedal travel. Bleed the brake system per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00. For claiming, use causal part BRAKE and applicable labor operations in Section 02 of the Service Labor Time Standards...
SSM 47426 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2015-2018 Flex, Taurus, Police Interceptor Sedan, and 2016 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a turn signal that does not operate as expected when the steering column multifunction switch is moved to the lane change position, then quickly changed to the opposite direction detent position before the lane change flashes three...
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 FORD FLEX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD FLEX
- 2013 FORD FLEX — 769 complaints
- 2014 FORD FLEX — 321 complaints
- 2015 FORD FLEX — 109 complaints
- 2016 FORD FLEX — 99 complaints
- 2017 FORD FLEX — 41 complaints
- 2018 FORD FLEX (current)
- 2019 FORD FLEX — 215 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints