2016 Ford Flex Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Ford Flex, 3% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Gas smell and electronic issues. I bought my vehicle brand new. I first noticed smelling gasoline after the first oil change, so I had driven several months.the dealership blamed it on my undercoating stating that's what I'm smelling.it's gas definitely.I asked them to drive it a week since the smell comes and goes.they refused.it still does it and I have given up trying to get the dealership to find the issue.they did state the FLEX is the same base as the police vehicle that has the gas emission leak.2nd problem is no key detected light comes on when driving.just yesterday my back up cam…”
NHTSA complaint #11153753, filed 2018-11, 29,000 miles“Ecoboost 3.5l vehicle experienced total loss of power and white smoke from tailpipes while driving 65mph on expressway but still ran. Drove straight to an independent service center where they diagnosed low boost pressure DTC and failure of both turbochargers. Towed vehicle to Ford service center where they dug deeper and are now telling me there was a coolant system leak which washed out the engine oil and caused the engine to overheat and the turbos to fail(lock up). …”
NHTSA complaint #11182617, filed 2019-02, 103,000 miles“The car is experiencing turbo failure that lines up with the recall for the same model vehicle produced within the same 2016-2017 date. But for some reason this vin isnt included in the recall”
NHTSA complaint #11757878, filed 2026-08Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 18 | 16% |
| 2014 | 50 | 20% |
| 2013 | 72 | 12% |
| 2012 | 7 | 11% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 16 | 12% |
| 2009 | 19 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Flex
29 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Flex
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology