2015 Ford Flex Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 Ford Flex most often describe two problems: a rearview camera that goes blank, shows an upside-down or distorted image, or stops working while reversing, and episodes where the engine cuts power or stalls unexpectedly, often accompanied by a wrench warning light that clears after a restart. Power steering assist loss is also reported repeatedly, with the steering becoming very heavy to turn. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from under 15,000 miles for the stalling reports to above 100,000 miles for camera and steering reports.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank, upside-down or intermittent

   • 28 complaints (24%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 10.3 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the rearview camera screen going black, displaying an upside-down or sideways image, or showing messages such as "Camera Unavailable" or "See Dealer" when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. Many say the failure started intermittently and became more frequent or permanent over time. According to the complaints, dealers often confirmed the remedy under NHTSA campaign 25V695000 was not yet available, and some owners report the camera was replaced only for the problem to return. A few owners mention near-misses with people behind the vehicle while the screen was not working. Reported across a wide mileage range, mostly between roughly 40,000 and 130,000 miles, with several complaints filed after the recall notice was received.

   Recall 25V695000

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and watch the screen through several cycles to see whether the image is stable, right way up and free of warning messages. Ask the dealer whether recall 25V695000 applies to the VIN and whether the repair has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the back-over prevention camera screen image displayed an unknown service error message, showed an upside-down image, and displayed a blacked-out image occasionally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the costs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11633700, filed 2025-01, 40,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11745889, filed 2026-06, 160,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine cuts power or stalls with wrench light

   • 27 complaints (23%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly losing power or stalling while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with a wrench warning light on the instrument panel and sometimes no warning beforehand. Many say that switching the engine off and restarting restores normal operation, and dealers either found no stored codes or pointed to components such as the throttle body. Some owners link the stalling to the fuel pump control module, which in some cases was replaced outside the recall coverage. Mostly reported between about 6,000 and 55,000 miles, often at road speeds rather than during parking maneuvers.

   Recall 16V621000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump control module or throttle body has been replaced and whether recall 16V621000 was performed for this VIN. During a test drive, watch for hesitation, a wrench light or any drop in power.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving approximately 45 MPH uphill when suddenly, and without warning, the FLEX decelerated to a coasting speed. I was able to pull into a turn lane but unable to accelerate. The wrench light came on. I turned off the car and turned it back on. The wrench light was on and their was ability to accelerate beyond crawling. I turned the car off and back on and was able to drive normally to work.”

   NHTSA complaint #11054692, filed 2017-12, 32,000 miles

   “July 1 I was driving the car running some errands (bank, post office, grocery store) when the car suddenly lost power turning across oncoming traffic on a four lane highway. This was one day after I had the car at the dealership for more diagnostic work and they could not find anything wrong without the code. I left the car running after making it home and called Ford roadside assistance for a tow to the dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10882744, filed 2016-07, 12,763 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering assist loss, heavy steering

   • 18 complaints (16%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners report a "Steering Assist Fault" or "Service AdvanceTrac" message appearing, after which the steering becomes very heavy, especially at low speeds. Some say the loss of assist came on without warning while driving; others describe it happening after restarting the vehicle. According to the complaints, dealers diagnosed a failed power steering control module or steering rack and quoted repairs in the low thousands of dollars. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, though a few complaints describe it above 130,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle and turn the wheel lock to lock at a standstill and at low speed, watching for warning messages and listening for steering noise. Ask whether the steering control module or rack has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving steering fault service now warningappeared next day I was leaving work & power steertning went out was on hyway ( not many turn ) made home luckly my wife not driving steering went out with no warning towed to Ford dealer they replaced steering gear assmbly $ 2600”

   NHTSA complaint #11348406, filed 2020-08, 52,235 miles

   “My car Ford FLEX 2015 limited awd (made in canada) and its out of warranty yesterday only without any warning I used my car at morning normally and no issue I stoped at supermarket the back to car and start the engine and I see message alert steering assist malfunction service required and the steering became very heavy too much power need to move it right or to left ..then after that one warning message came service advancetrac”

   NHTSA complaint #11338730, filed 2020-07, 42,874 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   No start or stall tied to fuel pump module

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 49,622 mi at 4.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2020

   Owners describe the vehicle failing to start or stalling out with no prior warning, sometimes after a short crank and sometimes while parked. Repair records cited in the complaints show fuel pump and sender assembly replacement under warranty in one case, followed later by fuel pump control module replacement. Some owners note that the module repair was not covered even though similar vehicles were included in a recall. Reported from roughly 24,000 to 110,000 miles, in some cases only a few months after an earlier fuel pump repair.

   Recall 16V621000

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the fuel pump and fuel pump control module have been replaced, and confirm with a dealer whether recall 16V621000 covers the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In october 2018, our Ford FLEX was parked in the driveway when we tried to start it and it did a minor crank and then nothing. It wouldn't start or do anything. Worked fine the night before. Had to have the car towed and turns out the fuel pump control module failed on it costing $650 to replace the part. Seems like this is a major issue with these cars and I don't understand why there isn't a recall or refund on the repairs as there was on the turbocharged ones. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11222922, filed 2019-06, 68,000 miles

   “On october 18, 2019, while entering a parking space at the ikea parking lot, my car experience a loss of power, causing the engine to stall. I tried to start it up about 10 times, and nothing happened - it failed to start every time. After about 2 hours of trying, I finally had to have it towed to my house. When I performed a obd-ii system scan, with my scanner, I got a fault code of p0627 (fuel pump a control circuit) I took the car to the Ford dealer, and explained the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11270070, filed 2019-10, 54,245 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the rearview camera, steering assist and rear suspension components, and confirm which open recalls apply to the specific VIN before buying. Service records showing completed recall work and any fuel pump or steering module repairs are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.