2019 Ford Flex: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
240 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
Avoid the 2013 Flex, which scores 34 on 578 owner complaints, and the 2019, the final year, which scores 42 on 240 complaints with 134 of them for the rearview camera. Buy a 2015 to 2018, which score 79, 83, 91 and 87 on 105 or fewer complaints each, or a 2011 or 2012 at 81 and 89. Read the full note on the model page. 2019 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 240 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Ford Taurus and Flex: the years to avoid, including 2019 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 240 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 34.29
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
As with many other 2019 Flex owners, I brought my Ford Flex in for a state inspection and surprise surprise! I have to replace my toe link already! Failure after failure.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact experienced both failures. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image, and the B-pillar trims detached. The dea…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. Additionally, the driver's side B-pillar trim detached, allowing water to leak into the vehicle. The vehicle was take…
Recalls: 4 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 25V695000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 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. |
| 18V548000 | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 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. |
| 24V951000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 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. |
| 25V732000 | Structure:Body | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a full-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 18 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,400
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Back Over Prevention134 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
- Structure54 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Unknown Or Other47 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System22 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Visibility/Wiper11 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Suspension6 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
Other Ford Flex years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Ford Flex?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Back Over Prevention (134 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2019 Ford Flex a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 42/100, computed from 240 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2019 Ford Flex's most common problem?
134 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2019 Ford Flex sit in the Back Over Prevention group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is reversing camera or park-sensor replacement: about 2.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $420–$940 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2019 Ford Flex cost to run per year?
About $5,701 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $28,505 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2019 Ford Flex have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2019 Ford Flex, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 13/10/2025. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other fullsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2019 Ford Flex really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 240 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 240 NHTSA complaints on record (34.3/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (9.6/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems