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Ford Flex VIN Check

NHTSA holds 1,796 owner complaints on the Ford Flex from 564 production runs; the worst run has 23, the typical one 3.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 1,796 complaints · 564 runs · 2009–2019 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Flex run is 2FMGK5C86DB (2013 builds) with 23 complaints, 7.2× the typical run. Steering problems make up 20% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 7.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for Flex model years 2009–2019.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Flex has 564 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Flex complaint on file.

FIG.01·Ford Flex — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
2FMGK5C86DB••••••2013231—
2FMGK5C8XDB••••••201321——
2FMGK5C89DB••••••201319——
2FMGK5C84DB••••••2013191—
2FMGK5C81DB••••••201317——
2FMGK5C83DB••••••201315——
2FMGK5B80DB••••••201314——
2FMHK6C87DB••••••2013131—
2FMGK5B89DB••••••2013131—
2FMGK5C80DB••••••201313——
2FMHK6C82DB••••••201313——
2FMGK5C85DB••••••201312——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 552 Flex runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 65 Flex VINs so far, most often 2014, 2019, 2015 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Flex the gap between build years is 5.9×: a 2013 car draws 7.1 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.2.

FIG.02·Ford Flex — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20194.2251604
20181.667417
20171.242342
20162.296444
20152.211250—
20143.32347010
20137.1533759
20121.860334
20112.1126594
20102.3121527
20092.9154546
ROWS 11·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 7.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.2.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 20% of everything Ford Flex owners report: Steering, 366 of 1,796 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Ford Flex — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Steering36610—
Electrical System36485
Unknown Or Other23781
Back Over Prevention2304—
Structure1806—
Engine169—6
Fuel/propulsion System15711
Suspension10211—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Ford Flex; the 6 below cover build years 2009 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Ford Flex — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
20V072000Suspension:rear2013–2018
25V695000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2015–2019
16V247000Air Bags:frontal2009–2012
25V732000Structure:body2017–2019
16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2013–2015
15V340000Steering:electric Power Assist System2011–2013
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

20V072000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2013: 7 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 1,796 reports on the Ford Flex, 3.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Ford Flex — complaint severity
OutcomeFord FlexAll vehicles
Complaints filed1,7961,115,966
Involved a crash57 (3.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire10 (0.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported4458,013
Deaths reported12,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 45% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Flex share of that is 1,796 complaints over 564 runs, 0.16% of everything on record.

Everything on the Ford Flex
Recalls34 campaignsFuel economy20 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems1,932 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices1,173 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2009–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Ford Flex VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,796 NHTSA complaints from 564 Flex runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Flex production run has the most complaints?

2FMGK5C86DB, a 2013 build, with 23 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Flex run has 3.2.

Which Flex years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 7.1 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.2.

How many Flex complaints involve a crash?

3.2% of 1,796 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 10 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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