Short answer
Among Ford Flex model years through 2024, 2009 and 2010 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2013 has the most (6). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ford Flex: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 11 (2009–2019)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 14
- Fewest recalls
- 2009 and 2010 (1)
- Most recalls
- 2013 (6)
- Most recalled system
- Back over prevention (6)
Ford Flex Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Electrical system, Structure |
| 2018 | 3 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Structure, Suspension |
| 2017 | 4 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Engine and engine cooling, Structure |
| 2016 | 3 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Engine and engine cooling, Suspension |
| 2015 | 4 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Fuel system, gasoline, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 4 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Seats |
| 2013 | 6 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Steering |
| 2012 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Steering |
| 2011 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Steering |
| 2010 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2009 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20194 recalls
- 20183 recalls
- 20174 recalls
- 20163 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 20144 recalls
- 20136 recalls
- 20122 recalls
- 20112 recalls
- 20101 recall
- 20091 recall
Ford Flex: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford Flex recalls are back over prevention (6), suspension (6), fuel system, gasoline (5), air bags (4) and steering (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: Ford Flex Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ford Flex?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2009 and 2010 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.
Which Ford Flex model years have the most recalls?
2013 has the most, with 6 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Flex", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy