2016 Ford Flex: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Ford Flex: 3 recalls, 98 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #16V925000 · 2016 · 1,163 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l gtdi engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes May leak oil on engine components.
Why it matters: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017.
Suspension Vehicle recall #20V072000 · 2020 · 211,207 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear suspension toe links May fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Why it matters: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the…
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V695000 · 2025 · 1,448,655 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera May display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Why it matters: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Backup camera (26): the most common themes are warning light on (5), electrical failure (2).
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), door / lock issues (5), electrical failure (3).
- Other / unknown (14): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Suspension (10): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3), steering problems (3).
The 2016 Ford Flex has 98 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 11 Flex model years for complaints (well below the 175 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 62,155 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (113 complaints, 4 recalls), 2017 (42 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Ford Flex.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 Ford Flex have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Flex problems?
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are backup camera (26), electrical (23), other / unknown (14).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Flex get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Ford Flex repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.