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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Ford Flex Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
8%of 101 total for the year
Median mileage
68,150miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Flex, 8% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,150 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“My 2016 Ford FLEX I just bought less then 6mths ago! And I have 30,000 miles on it! I was hearing lots of noise from the front end and also I would hear it when my car was in gear and also when I went from drive to reverse and especially when you were turning your steering wheel!! Took it in to the dealership and they stated it was my driver and passenger half shaft! I get it back and now I am hearing noises again!!”

NHTSA complaint #11171265, filed 2019-01, 30,000 miles

“On the 4th of july my vehicle was stopped in my driveway with the transmission in park. I had exited the vehicle leaving the driver's door open while I walked up my driveway to clear an obstruction in the garage door safety eyes. When I got to the garage door I turned back and say my FLEX reversing up the driveway quickly. I had previously backed in and was driving out of the driveway when I noticed the garage door would not close. The FLEX continued to reverse up the driveway (uphill) with the driver's door open. …”

NHTSA complaint #11229703, filed 2019-07, 68,150 miles

“I noticed one day when I drove to work and got out of my vehicle it smelled like transmission fluid burning took it to the dealer and they said it is a common problem with the Ford FLEX that the trans fluid and coolant were getting mixed together because of the design of the A/C condensor etc.... If it is a common problem why hasnt it been recalled? On top of that it cost me $900+ to fix and I took it back because it still smelled like trans fluid was burning and was told it was probably still just burning off from what had leaked. 5 almost 6 months later it still smells?”

NHTSA complaint #11318562, filed 2020-03, 75,000 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

“Car lost power without warning while driving on highway. Warning light with wrench and check manual appeared. Dealer indicated recall 16b32 and replaced throttle body. I was never notified of recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10937522, filed 2016-12, 10,800 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201931%
201823%
201725%
201688%
2015119%
2014104%
2013112%
201246%
20111913%
2010129%
20092313%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Flex

Back-over prevention (rear camera)
29 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsFuel system
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