Makes›Ford›Flex›2017

2017 Ford Flex

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Ford Flex
Pictured: 2010 Ford Flex Limited 1 -- 11-25-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints42 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 215 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 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 2017 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 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.

What changed for 2017

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Flex →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
5dr Cuv AWD202 in76 in67.7 in118.1 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,839 lb54/46
5dr Cuv FWD202 in76 in67.7 in118.1 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,469 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Flex FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-1%$3,550468
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-3%$3,700491
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-8%$3,950523
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2017 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Ford Flex.

Similar 2017 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Ford Flex (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2017 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated1
2017 Ford Explorer22 MPG★★★★★14
2017 Toyota Highlander29 MPGNot rated3
2017 GMC Yukon19 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Chevrolet Tahoe19 MPG★★★★★4
2017 Ford Expedition18 MPG★★★★★4

Recalls (4)

Structure › Body · Oct 24, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V732000 · 92,347 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 28, 2025.
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 driver’s 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

42Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
80,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Suspension13
Unknown Or Other13
Back Over Prevention6
Visibility/Wiper4
Steering3
Electrical System3
Structure3
Air Bags2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/09: 120/10: 220/11: 120/12: 121/07: 122/05: 122/08: 123/01: 123/03: 123/04: 123/09: 124/02: 125/01: 125/07: 325/09: 425/10: 225/11: 125/12: 126/02: 126/03: 426/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 220/0920/1222/0823/0425/0125/1026/0226/05max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Ford Flex buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Suspension — 13 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  3. Back Over Prevention — 6 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  4. Visibility/Wiper — 4 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Flex. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Flex years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Flex19202 inNot rated4257
2018 Flex19202 inNot rated369
2016 Flex19202 inNot rated3101
2015 Flex20202 inNot rated4115
2014 Flex20202 inNot rated4244
2013 Flex20202 inNot rated6554
2012 Flex19202 inNot rated252
2011 Flex19202 inNot rated2112
2010 Flex20202 inNot rated185
2009 Flex19202 inNot rated189

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