2014 Ford Flex
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited, 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 202 in
- Curb weight
- 4,469–4,839 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2014 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 Sel/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 8% better than the 2014 standard SUV average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 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 244 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2014
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2013 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Flex →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,839 lb | 54/46 |
| 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,469 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | +8% | $3,350 | 437 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +6% | $3,550 | 458 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | +1% | $3,700 | 483 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2014 Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
Similar 2014 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Flex (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2014 GMC Yukon | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2014 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2014 Nissan Pathfinder | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
Recalls (4)
Suspension › Rear · Feb 10, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V072000 · 211,207 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Risk
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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 end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 25, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V621000 · 77,502 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
- Risk
- A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.
Seats · Nov 7, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V710000 · 113,418 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 and Flex vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly. This can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to inaccurately register passenger weight and improperly suppress the passenger front airbag when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult passenger. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- Improper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger airbag.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will widen the gap between the seat frame and seat track assembly and recalibrate the seat OCS, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C10.
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft · Jul 2, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V393000 · 83,250 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
- Risk
- If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
Not every 2014 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 Ford Flex buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 64 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Electrical System — 54 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 46 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 68,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Flex. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Flex years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 258 |
| 2018 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 69 |
| 2017 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 42 |
| 2016 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 101 |
| 2015 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 116 |
| 2013 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 6 | 554 |
| 2012 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 52 |
| 2011 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 2 | 112 |
| 2010 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 85 |
| 2009 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 89 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →