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Ford Flex

11 model years from 2009 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Ford Flex
Pictured: 2010 Ford Flex Limited 1 -- 11-25-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2009–2019
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Latest engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Best MPG
19–20 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
14 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2013 (554)
Fewest problems
2017
Interest
5,822 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2019 Flex in brief

The 2019 Ford Flex is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,839 lb (5dr Cuv AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 1% better than the 2019 standard SUV average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 257 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.

The Ford Flex has 11 model years in our data, from 2009 to 2019, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2015 at 20 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 19 to 20 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (355), steering (347), unknown or other (252).

Buying used? 2017 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2019 is the year to avoid.

2013 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 14 campaigns and 1,720 owner complaints.

How the 2009 Flex compares

The 2009 Ford Flex is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,641 lb (5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited).

About the Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Ford over a single generation for the 2009–2019 model years, having entered production in 2008. It is the successor to the Ford Taurus X.

From the Wikipedia article "Ford Flex", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2019 Flex pros & cons

Full 2019 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Flex changes by model year

  1. 2010
    • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl turbo

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 11 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20193.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated4257
20183.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated369
20173.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated442
20163.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated3101
20153.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo20 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated4115
20143.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo20 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated4244
20133.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo20 MPG202 in4,839 lbNot rated6554
20123.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,641 lbNot rated252
20113.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo19 MPG202 in4,641 lbNot rated2112
20103.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo20 MPG202 in4,641 lbNot rated185
20093.5L 6-cyl19 MPG202 in4,641 lbNot rated189
Best combined MPG by model year — Ford Flex
2009: 19 MPG2010: 20 MPG2011: 19 MPG2012: 19 MPG2013: 20 MPG2014: 20 MPG2015: 20 MPG2016: 19 MPG2017: 19 MPG2018: 19 MPG2019: 19 MPG200920112013201520172019max 20 MPG

Alternatives to the 2019 Flex

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2019 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated3
2019 Ford Explorer22 MPG★★★★★6
2019 Toyota Highlander29 MPG★★★★★3
2019 GMC Yukon18 MPG★★★★★3
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe18 MPG★★★★★2
2019 Ford Expedition20 MPG★★★★★11

Most common owner-reported problems

Electrical System355
Steering347
Unknown Or Other252
Back Over Prevention187
Fuel/Propulsion System153
Engine148
Structure › Body93
Suspension69
Owner complaints by model year — Ford Flex
2009: 892010: 852011: 1122012: 522013: 5542014: 2442015: 1152016: 1012017: 422018: 692019: 257200920112013201520172019max 554
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →