2018 FORD Flex Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8 complaints

While driving on the Gerald R Ford Fwy in Michigan my driver side pillar with my key pad flew off and detached from my vehicle. Part flew off, hit the back window of my vehicle and almost hit another vehicle that was driving behind me. Other vehicle behind needed to swerve so my pillar from my vehicle wouldn't hit their windshield. Now my vehicle is missing the pillar piece and I need to go online and find that part and purchase the piece myself out of pocket. Current piece that we bought doesn't stay on and gets loose from time to time. In the mean time while waiting for the shipment of the part to come in my door part was open and covered in the elements. It did rain during this wait. not too sure if there was any other damage that happened inside of my vehicle door. No warnings or visible signs or lights. Problem has not been inspected. I did not have the time or funds to take my vehicle in to a shop they would charge me too much for the issue.

Oct 28, 2025

Rear view camera displays upside down or distorted

Sep 14, 2025

My backup camera is experiencing the same issues as the rest of the recalled Ford vehicles. None of the recalls cover my year. The camera displays as upside down, and no longer has any of the digital guides it had before it flipped. When I asked the dealership they said most likely hardware and that we would need to replace the camera. I don't see why I have to pay to replace the camera when this is part of a recall for the same vehicle, just a different year. It makes me nervous in parking lots and coming out of my driveway.

Sep 09, 2025

The backup camera on my Flex has stopped working. It displays a scrambled image or nothing at all and an error message saying the ‘camera is not available’. This is dangerous, as I could back up and injure someone. I see Ford has a recall underway for millions of vehicles with this problem and the fix is a software update. I suggest NHTSA look into including the Flex in the recall, because this appears to be the same problem.

Aug 20, 2025

Back up camera is showing up distorted black on the screen with a magnifying glass. I can not see to backup.

May 06, 2025

+ 3 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION

8 complaints

The Left driver side rear suspension toe link broke on expressway, resulting in loss of control had to aggressively steer out of a spin. Car was undrivable and had to have towed and repaired, had passenger side rear suspension toe link go bad in December of 2024. Repair documentation available upon request.

Oct 03, 2025

There is a recall 20s04. I was told my car is outside the building date. However, the toe bar snapped. What do I do to get my car entered into the recall, as this is the exact problem it was recalled for

Nov 09, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle with an unknown yellow warning light on the instrument panel. The contact's partner was called to the scene and upon inspection of the vehicle, both rear wheels were misaligned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured toe link. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension) which was linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the recall. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and a case was filed with the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Jan 29, 2024

The cars rear toe link broke while driving. It cause the vehicle to go out of control and wreck I to the guard rail. Another motorist hit the car as it was wrecking. The local Ford dealership confirmed that the rear toe link failed and replaced them with redesigned ones that are safer. I had to pay for this repair, the tow charges and my insurance is fixing the other car that hit me.

Nov 25, 2022

Crash: 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the suspension suddenly failed causing the rear end of the vehicle to become unstable and the vehicle fishtailed. The driver was able to drive to the side of the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence and upon inspection it was discovered that the rear passenger’s side toe link had fractured. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 57,000.

Sep 19, 2022

+ 3 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

4 complaints

The B pillar trim on our 2018 ford flex has detached and flew off the vehicle while driving on the interstate. Both front and rear habe detached and become hazards.

Aug 16, 2025

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/IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE BACK UP TO GET HIM OUT WITH DEAD BATTERY. ONLY WITH ELECTRICITY. SO I HAD TO TAKE OUT BOTH CRATES AND GET HIM OUT THROUGH THE FRONT -- LONG PROCESS. IF THERE HAD BEEN EMERGENCY, HE'D BE DEAD. DANGER -- NO MECHANICAL WAY TO OPEN BACK ACCESS DOOR OF VEHICLE! NOT EVEN EMERGENCY LEVER OR KEY. I CHECKED WITH FORD.

Oct 30, 2020

DOOR LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE OR LOCK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHUTTING DOOR SO DOOR DOES NOT STAY CLOSED.

Jul 10, 2020

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 RIGHT WHEEL BECAUSE OF THIS METAL PIECE THAT STICKS OUT. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WAS DOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY.

Sep 09, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

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.

Dec 05, 2025

Crash: 1

Media player unavailable alert comes on display. Touch panel tone doesn’t have sound, audio in car has no sound. Sync 3 has been updated. Problem continues as well as the rear camera issue

Nov 02, 2025

The rearview camera for parking assistance displays a blank, distorted, or inverted image when in reverse. The camera itself was replaced back in 2022, but before it was replaced, the same issue occurred. The car was taken to a Ford dealership for replacement. They were aware of this issue back then a thought a camera replacement would fix the issue. Unfortunately, the camera replacement didn't remedy the issue. A few months later, the rear view camera was having the same issue. It is a safety issue because when I am in reverse, sometimes the camera is inverted (or upside down), sometimes the camera is blank, and sometimes it is completely distorted. There was no warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms prior to the failure. Recently, I saw that Ford is recalling vehicles with the same issue (even the 2019 Ford Flex which is a year newer than mine).

Jun 13, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

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.

Dec 18, 2025

Crash: 1

Hands-free connection to phone-Bluetooth. This happened a year ago. I believe around Sept 14th 2020. 6 days after warranty expiration the Sync3 hands-free system died on my Flex. I only had 32000 miles at that time. It was touted as a great safety feature when I purchased the car brand new. I live in Branson Mo where every road is curvy and drops off into ravines. The system is totally inoperable. Called Ford 800 number, they checked and told me they would not do anything with it. Talked to the local dealer and they said they only get so much goodwill money from Ford each year and since I didn't buy it from them they were not going to do anything. I used to live 8 hours north. Say it needs an APIM module. Well a couple months after that went out my backup camera fails to work about 20 percent of the time. DIstorted wavy screen, can't see anything. 2 safety features that are a joke when they don't work. Ford has multiple recalls on different years for the same systems. I am available to contact and inspect the car at any time.

Dec 03, 2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera frequently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the camera displayed a blank or distorted image while the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R). In addition, the back over prevention camera screen remained displayed while the vehicle was in drive(D). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The contact was provided a case number and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Jul 24, 2025

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, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, Mustang, Ranger and Transit, as well as the Lincoln Corsair and Nautilus. Why isn't this 2018 model included in the recall by Ford? How do I get it covered? Seems arbitrary that the recall ends with 2020 models.

Nov 15, 2024

STEERING

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was unsure whether a warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,186.

Apr 19, 2024

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE (IT WAS IN MOTION), ON HWY 290 (NEAR MANOR, TX), THE STEERING ON OUR 2018 FORD FLEX SEIZED UP AND THE CAR WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. DUE TO COMPLETE LACK OF STEERING, THE CAR WAS AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO DRIVE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. HE WAS LUCKY TO AVOID A MAJOR COLLISION. THE NEXT DAY WE CALLED FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. WITH EXTREME MANUAL FORCE APPLIED, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ENOUGH IN ORDER TO GET IT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. ONCE THE CAR WAS RECEIVED BY THE DEALER, THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE CONFIRMED THIS 'STEERING FAILURE' WAS A PROBLEM THEY HAD SEEN COME UP A FEW TIMES IN THE PRIOR WEEKS WITH OTHER FORD MAKES AND MODELS. THEY SAID IT WAS A COSTLY REPAIR AND I SHOULD BE LUCKY BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY PROGRAM AND THEY WOULD CALL ME LATER TO CONFIRM AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS COMPLETED. LATER THAT DAY THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTICS CONFIRMED THE STEERING FAILURE, THAT IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS AS A MAJOR REPAIR FOR THE STEERING SYSTEM. 3 DAYS LATER, THEY DENIED ANY STEERING FAILURE, AND CLAIMED IT WAS A FAILED BATTERY INSTEAD. DESPITE OUR COMPLAINT, THEY CHARGED US $500 FOR A NEW ONE. AS A RESULT OF THIS SITUATION, WE SOLD THE CAR (AS A DEATH TRAP), CANCELLED OUR FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND SOLD ALL OF OUR FORD STOCK. I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEIR STEERING FAILURES KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. IF I SEE A FORD ON THE ROAD, I WILL BE GIVING THEM A WIDE BERTH.

Dec 13, 2020

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

I was waiting for my stop light to turn green at 39th street and southwest traffic-way, when my light turned green I started pulling through the intersection. I noticed a car coming towards me on southwest traffic-way at a high rate of speed. I hit the breaks thinking that this person is not going to stop. The vehicle proceeded to run the red light and hit the front passenger side of my vehicle at a high rate of speed and sent my 2018 Ford Flex spinning through the intersection. Not a single airbag went off in my vehicle, that is terrifying to me being a father of 3 young children I am blessed that they were not in the vehicle when the accident happened. The police showed up on the scene within minutes of the accident, the other driver took off running on foot. The police seemed confused as to why my airbags didn’t deploy, as well as the tow truck driver that hauled my vehicle away. The main component that I am reporting is that the airbags did not work or deploy, as a standard safety measure in vehicles I believe that is a big safety problem. The vehicle has been marked as a total loss by insurance.

Mar 06, 2023

Crash: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT HAD A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND A REAR PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED ON THE SCENE AND THE SPOUSE DROVE THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TO THE HOSPITAL AFTERWARDS FOR A CHECK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BUT WAS NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POWER GM DEALER, (330-303-4094, LOCATED AT 15482 OHIO 170, CALCUTTA, OH 43920) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE DONNELL FORD DEALER LOCATED IN BOARDMAN, OH (330-726-8181). THE DEALER WAS CALLED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Jan 06, 2020

Crash: 1

WHEELS

2 complaints

MY FORD FLEX IS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 9,500 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 5 TIMES AND EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE TIRES HAS BEEN RULED OUT. AFTER VISITING A WEB SITE I FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES CAUSING EVERYTHING FROM VIBRATION TO BLOWOUTS. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A RENTAL WHILE MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP THAT HAS THE SAME TIRES. IT HAS THE SAME VIBRATION. THE EVENT GENERALLY BEGINS AT ABOUT 60 TO 65 MPH HOWEVER THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN NOTICED AS LOW AS 40 MPH. WHEN IT STARTS AT A LOW SPEED IT TURNS INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING THAT SCARES THE HECK OUT OF ME ENOUGH THAT I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT UNTILL MY NERVES SETTLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. TODAY IS FEBRUARY 14 2020. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE ABOUT OCTOBER 25 2019.

Feb 14, 2020

HANKOOK OPTIMO TIRES CHUNKING AT 24100 MILES SEVERE ENOUGH TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.. NOTICED AT AROUND 12000. NORMAL STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.

Dec 18, 2019

STRUCTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side door B-pillar trim had become loosened. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Dec 03, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

Audio throughout the entire vehicle are malfunctioning as well as the reverse camera malfunction. This has caused a collision the 11th of October. The ACM is severely malfunctioning and causing a huge safety hazard. No audio like radio, etc and alerts make sound not touch panel tones. Camera unavailable alert showed up as well as media unavailable showed on screen.

Nov 03, 2025

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

Rear camera malfunctioned screen showed “camera not available” didn’t alert any noise or warnings and a tree hovered slightly into parking spot and smashed in my rear window. Audio inside car malfunctioned as well (no musics, etc) and the touch pad tones stopped making sound when touched.

Nov 01, 2025

Crash: 1

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

Keypad on driver’s side door became dislodged on the highway, flailed around, hitting the side of the car and window in the process. It then proceeds to break in half and flies off going down the highway. Then since the bottom half is still plugged in, it was flopping around and hitting the car while going down the highway. Extremely dangerous

Jun 07, 2025

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

While driving in a 35mph zone, a complete loss of braking was experienced while coming up to an intersection. The vehicle was unable to stop, not even emergency brake function worked. An independent service center did a postmortem of the brake caliper and confirmed the fastener failure of the caliper bracket. The caliper fasteners sheared off inside the caliper resulting in the caliper piston falling apart while driving. This resulted in complete brake malfunction, and brake fluid leakage. There was no warning or message for this failure. The brakes experienced complete failure without warning.

May 27, 2025

POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

VEHICLE IS NOT GETTING RECOMMENDED MILEAGE AND IS HARD SHIFTING

Oct 26, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

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 CAR IS IN MOTION. THE RADIO WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN MOTION OR AT A STAND STILL. THE KEY FAB IS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

Aug 13, 2020

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IN WALMART PARKING LOOT. WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GARAGE WHO TRACED THE CAUSE TO. FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECAL FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM 2013 TO 2014 FORD FLEX HOWEVER MY VIN SHOWS AS NOT COVERED. WHATEVER CRITERIA TO LIMIT RECALL APPEARS TO BE INVALID

Jul 12, 2018

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

BRAND NEW CAR 30 DAYS OLD. CAME HOME AND PARKED IN OUR FLAT DRIVEWAY AND PUT SHIFTER IN PARK. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND OPENED CAR DOOR TO GET OUT AND CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS TOWARD THE STREET. HAD TO JUMP IN BEFORE I OR OTHER PEOPLE GOT RUN OVER. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE. SHIFTER CLEARLY IN PARK. CAR ENGINE CLEARLY OFF. TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR CONTINUE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. TRIED TO START CAR BUT CAR WOULD NOT LET ME. PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND TURNED CAR TO AUXILIARY POWER. DISPLAY SHOWS R (REVERSE) EVEN THOUGH SHIFTER IS IN PARK. SHIFTER CANNOT BE MOVED. HAD TO HAVE TOW TO DEALER. ADVISED CABLE SHIFTER BROKE (INVOICE ATTACHED). JUST ALERTING NHTSA SO THAT YOU ARE AWARE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OPERATOR PUTS CAR IN PARK, TURNS ENGINE OFF AND EXITS VEHICLE, AND CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS OUT OF CONTROL. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON ANY CAR LET ALONE A BRAND NEW ONE.

May 27, 2018

⭐

4.5/5.0

32 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2018 FORD Flex have?

The 2018 FORD Flex currently has 42 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2018 FORD Flex?

The most common problems reported for the 2018 FORD Flex are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2018 FORD Flex problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2018 FORD Flex comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.