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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2019 Ford Flex

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 251 safety complaints about the 2019 Ford Flex with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is back-over prevention, named in 141 complaints, 56% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 108 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

251 complaints on file

251

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

3

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 120 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 58 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
BACK OVER PREVENTION 141 · 56%
STRUCTURE 57 · 23%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 52 · 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 · 9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 11 · 4%
SUSPENSION 6 · 2%
ENGINE 5 · 2%
LANE DEPARTURE 4 · 2%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 1%
STEERING 3 · 1%
AIR BAGS 2 · 1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 · 1%
0 58 115

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 251.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 100.

108 81 54 27
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Ford FLEX, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall Not rated Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated Not rated
Side crash Not rated Not rated
Side barrier Not rated Not rated
Side pole Not rated Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.1% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

STRUCTURE:BODY

25V732000 · October 24, 2025

The 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.
The risk
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 28, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 92,347 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V695000 · October 13, 2025

The 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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang 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) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,448,655 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

24V951000 · December 20, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.

Ford Motor Company · up to 30,715 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

18V548000 · August 20, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
The risk
An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.

Ford Motor Company · up to 87 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

B-Pillar Trim Detachment

PE25007

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened August 7, 2025 · closed August 5, 2026 · led to recall 25V732

the body structure

On August 7, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25007 to investigate instances of B-pillar trim detachment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Flex vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. During the investigation, MY 2011-2018 Ford Flex vehicles were analyzed as peer vehicles, and subsequently incorporated into the subject population because they use B-pillar trim pieces that are substantially similar to those used on the MY 2019 Ford Flex vehicles. In July 2025, prior to the opening of PE25007, ODI and Ford met to discuss B-pillar trim detachment in Ford Flex vehicles. Ford reported that its warranty analysis indicated that Flex B-pillar trim had a low detachment rate and that Ford did not believe this condition posed an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. In July 2025, Ford closed its internal investigation. Because ODI’s analysis of complaint data indicated a high failure rate and an increasing failure trend, PE25007 was subsequently opened. In responding to the information request for PE25007, Ford reassessed the warranty search criteria used in its July 2025 internal investigation. The reassessment found the detachment rate to be substantially higher than what Ford had originally determined. Consequently, in October 2025, Ford issued recall 25V732based on the reassessed and accurate high failure rate. This recall instructed dealers to inspect the driver and front passenger B-pillar trim pieces and repair/replace if necessary. The vehicles included in this recall were MY 2017-2019 Ford Flex with production dates between February 17, 2017 and December 2, 2019. In January 2026, Ford issued 25V732 Amendment 1, which updated the remedy to remove the inspection criteria and instead proactively secure the driver and front passenger B-pillar trim with adhesive. The scope of vehicles included in the recall was unchanged by Amendment 1. ODI’s analysis of 25V732 found that both the scope and remedy were insufficient and that an unreasonable safety risk remained despite the recall. MY 2016 Ford Flex was excluded from the recall scope and the rear B-pillar trims on both the driver and passenger side were excluded from the recall. The failure rates of both MY 2016 Ford Flex and rear B-pillar trim pieces were found to be higher than the failure rates in similar trim detachment recalls issued by both Ford and other vehicle manufacturers. Starting in January 2026, ODI and Ford had multiple meetings to discuss Ford’s PE25007 response data and ODI’s concern about the 25V732 scope and remedy. In June 2026, Ford issued 25V732 Amendment 2. This amendment expanded the scope of the recall to add MY 2016-2017 Ford Flex vehicles produced before February 17, 2017. Additionally, this amendment updated the remedy to include removal of and reapplication or replacement of both rear driver and rear passenger B-pillar trim pieces in addition to front driver and front passenger B-pillar trim pieces. This updated remedy applies to all MY 2016-2019 vehicles. Ford expects to complete the mailing of remedy owner notification letters by March 26, 2027. Also, Ford informed ODI that prior model year (MY 2011-2015) vehicles were referred to Ford’s Customer Satisfaction forum for consideration of an extended warranty program. In view of recall 25V732 and its associated amendments, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Rear-view Camera Failure

PE24030

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened October 11, 2024 · closed February 2, 2026 · led to recall 24V951

back-over prevention

On October 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24030) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera in Model Year (MY) 2019 Ford Flex vehicles. Complaints submitted to NHTSA through Vehicle Online Questionnaires (VOQs), reviewed by ODI, report blank, distorted, or inverted rear-view camera images when in reverse. An inverted or upside-down image can provide false information to the driver increasing the risk of a crash. To date, ODI has received 85 VOQ complaints and additional EWR Field Reports with these allegations for MY 2019 Ford Flex vehicles. During the investigation, ODI found that the MY 2019 Ford Flex vehicle and certain peer vehicles including MY 2015-2018 Flex, MY 2019 Fiesta, Taurus, and Lincoln MKT vehicles are equipped with Magna analog rear-view-only cameras. On December 20, 2024, Ford filed Recall 24V-951 covering 30,715 MY 2019 Ford Flex, Ford Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles in which the rear-view camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. The dealers will replace the rear-view camera for vehicles in the recall population. Per the recall chronology, teardown of three cameras identified fractured solder joints between the microcontroller and the printed circuit board. Ford indicated that other causal factors are being investigated and asserted that the defect is contained within the camera. ODI found that certain peer vehicles excluded from Recall 24V-951 showed a high rate of VOQ complaints.  Also, ODI identified reports produced by Ford that indicate the peer vehicles have the same issue as the subject vehicles. To address ODI’s concern, Ford analyzed some field-returned cameras, as well as Ford’s field data and ODI’s VOQ data. Ford stated it did not identify a specific root cause in the Magna supplied cameras. However, on October 13, 2025, Ford filed Recall 25V-695 covering 1,448,655 vehicles of various Ford/Lincoln models equipped with Magna supplied cameras. The cameras demonstrate the same blank or distorted images that prompted Recall 24V-951. It should be noted that Ford is conducting a recall of those vehicles by model/model year that exhibit VOQ complaint rates greater than 10 per 100,000 vehicles. For the remaining vehicles (rates less than 10/100K), Ford is providing a warranty extension (15 years/unlimited miles). Ford has stated that the differences in the rates (field performance) are likely due to the differences in the camera related hardware, such as the wiring harness type that are specific by vehicle model/model year. In view of Ford filing Recall 24V-951 and Recall 25V-695 addressing the subject of this investigation, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 36,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HER AC JOINT (LEFT SHOULDER) AND HER SON (REAR DRIVER SIDE) SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES AND HER DAUGHTER (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HER LEFT KNEE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY ALL SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION WITH THE ENT FROM THE AMBULANCE AND ALSO WENT TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE ON THEIR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE

NHTSA complaint 11385639, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

crash · 5,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at unknown speeds, the passenger's side rear door panel detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that it was unknown if the panel crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred with the same part, however, the panel was not completely detached, it was loose. The failure recurred when the panel detached and crashed into another vehicle. There were no known injuries. There was no police report filed. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA complaint 11585948. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

crash

While the car was off and in park the car started to roll down drive and would not respond to hard braking

NHTSA complaint 11614109. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

crash · 2,450 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable or displayed an inverted image while reversing. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, causing the vehicle to hit another parked unoccupied vehicle on one occasion, and the vehicle hit a dumpster pole on another occasion. There was no injury sustained. The contact's vehicle was damaged, but the other vehicle was more damaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the infotainment system was replaced; however, the rearview camera failure persisted, and the rearview camera displayed a narrow view occasionally. Additionally, the contact stated that the

NHTSA complaint 11728614, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

46,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed, requiring the contact to press OK. The dealer was contacted several times and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA complaint 11767721. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

80,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for parts to be available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the B-pillar trim on the front driver's side door detached from the top of the door, causing the top half of the trim to separate from the rest of the trim. The contact stated that the same trim on the rear driver's side door had slightly detached. The back over prevention camera was inoperable and only displayed a

NHTSA complaint 11767728, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I've been waiting for the recall repairs for the rear view camera for 1 1/2 years. Backing without this safety equipment is a hazard. I'm a patient person, but this is ridiculous.

NHTSA complaint 11766183. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

45,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to make the parts available. The contact stated that when in reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed the image at the rear of the vehicle in reverse. The dealer was contacted twice and, most recently, advised the contact to wait an additional six months for parts. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA complaint 11765215. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recieved recall notice 24S25 / NHTSA 24V951XXX about defected rear view camera malfunction. I have had an ongoing issue with camera not operating correctly. I have made several calls to Ford dealership and continued to be told parts not available. Why issue a recall and after 20 months latter still no fix. I am sure if I paid to have camera fixed the parts would be available. Is there a date parts will be available. Please help. [XXX] [XXX] VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11764980. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

95,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was intermittently blurry or inverted. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA complaint 11764789. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Flex

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 67 3 —
2017 42 4 —
2016 98 3 —
2015 110 4 —
2014 249 4 —
2013 580 6 —
2012 64 2 —
2011 144 2 1
2010 139 1 —

Other 2019 Ford models

F-150 1,329 F-250 SD 1,164 Edge 769 Escape 588 Expedition 505 F-350 SD 467 Ecosport 460 Fusion 315

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst