The 2013 draws 7.11 complaints per run and the 2011 2.14, a 3.3-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 83.8% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Steering, with 366 complaints, typically at 7.3 years.
Ford Flex years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 251 | 60 | yes | |
| 2018 | 67 | 41 | yes | |
| 2017 | 42 | 34 | yes | |
| 2016 | 96 | 44 | yes | |
| 2015 | 112 | 50 | yes | |
| 2014 | 234 | 70 | yes | |
| 2013 | 533 | 75 | yes | |
| 2012 | 60 | 33 | yes | |
| 2011 | 126 | 59 | yes | |
| 2010 | 121 | 52 | yes | |
| 2009 | 154 | 54 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 Flex asks a median $6,250, against $6,999 for a 2014, the next model year: about 11% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 6 Ford Flex years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2019, 2014; the three worth hunting are 2011, 2010, 2009.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4% | covered | |
| 1 year | 9.1% | covered | |
| 2 years | 16.2% | covered | |
| 3 years | 27% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 37.1% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 49.5% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 64.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 73.1% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 80.7% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 86.8% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 92.1% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 95.6% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 98.2% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 99.2% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99.8% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 16.2% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 83.8% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 9% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Steering at 7.3 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 7.3 yrs | 10 | — | |
| Electrical System | 4.8 yrs | 8 | 5 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6.2 yrs | 8 | 1 | |
| Back Over Prevention | 6.4 yrs | 4 | — | |
| Structure | 4.9 yrs | 6 | — | |
| Engine | 5.9 yrs | — | 6 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4.9 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 6.4 yrs | 11 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Flex's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Highlander draws 2.92, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.35 and the Ford Explorer 5.03, against 3.18 for the Flex.
| Same class as the Flex | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | 128 | 2001–2026 | |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 335 | 1993–2026 | |
| Ford Explorer | 390 | 1991–2026 | |
| BMW X5 | 198 | 2000–2026 | |
| Cadillac Escalade | 129 | 1999–2026 | |
| Hyundai Palisade | 33 | 2020–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Flex reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.18 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Flex years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2019, 2014. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2011, 2010, 2009. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Flex problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Steering, typically at 7.3 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover Flex problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 16.2% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 9% of the complaints here.
Is the Flex more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
No: 3.18 complaints per production run for the Flex against 2.92 for the Toyota Highlander.
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