DecodedCars2016 Ford Flex
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 5dr Cuv AWD, 5dr Cuv FWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 202 in
- Curb weight
- 4,469–4,839 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 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 14 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 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% worse than the 2016 standard SUV average of 19.1 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 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Flex →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Cuv AWD | 202 in | 76 in | 67.7 in | 118.1 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,839 lb | 54/46 |
| 5dr Cuv FWD | 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 | 16 / 23 / 19 | -1% | $3,550 | 481 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -4% | $3,700 | 491 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -9% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Ford Flex.
Similar 2016 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Flex (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2016 GMC Yukon | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2016 Ford Expedition | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Nissan Pathfinder | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (3)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Oct 13, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V695000 · 1,448,655 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger · Dec 22, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V925000 · 1,163 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
- Risk
- An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
Not every 2016 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Ford Flex buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Back Over Prevention — 21 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Suspension — 10 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 62,155 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 2016 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 | 257 |
| 2018 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 3 | 69 |
| 2017 Flex | 19 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 42 |
| 2015 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 115 |
| 2014 Flex | 20 | 202 in | Not rated | 4 | 244 |
| 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 →