DecodedCars2019 Ford Flex
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 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
- 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 18 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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.
What changed for 2019
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2018 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 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 | 468 |
| Flex AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -3% | $3,700 | 494 |
| 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 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2019 Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
Similar 2019 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Flex (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 GMC Yukon | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2019 Ford Expedition | 20 MPG | ★★★★★ | 11 |
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 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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Dec 20, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V951000 · 30,715 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.
Electrical System › Starter Assembly · Aug 20, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V548000 · 87 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
- Risk
- An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.
Not every 2019 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2019 Ford Flex buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Back Over Prevention — 117 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Structure — 41 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 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 2019 Ford Flex. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Flex years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 →