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Ford FlexModel year report

2017 Ford Flex Problems

Compared with other Ford Flex years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
42filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
78,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Ford Flex (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford Flex. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 13 complaints (31% of the total), followed by suspension (13) and back-over prevention (7). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 82 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Ford Flex model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Engine (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “Loss of power, RPM too high for normal shifting up to 6 rpms. Cat converter noise after car shut off due to getting to hot. Fluctuation RPM at idle. Oil on top of valve cover.”

NHTSA complaint #11329528, filed 2020-06, 27,000 miles

Suspension: “On monday, sept 28, 2020 at approximately 10:30 am while driving southbound on interstate 5 (just before the west mountain view overpass in firebaugh ca) doing 70 MPH, the car began fishtailing erratically - swerving between lanes. Fortunately, the driver was able to maneuver the car to the right shoulder of the interstate without hitting anything or anyone or even rolling the vehicle. (at the time there was an average amount of traffic on the road.) we initially believed that what we had experienced was a blowout, but after inspection, all the tires were found to be intact. …”

NHTSA complaint #11372679, filed 2020-11, 30,000 miles

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that months after a routine service appointment with a local dealer, the rear-view camera failed to operate as designed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11716950, filed 2026-02, 60,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “My 2017 Ford Flex has an open safety recall for the rearview camera system (Ford Recall 25S49 / NHTSA Recall 25V695). The recall states the camera may display a blank image or show the message “Camera Unavailable” when the vehicle is placed in reverse. My vehicle is actively experiencing this exact failure. The screen frequently displays “Camera Unavailable,” preventing the rearview camera safety feature from functioning when the vehicle is put in reverse. I received the recall notice in October 2025. …”

NHTSA complaint #11723530, filed 2026-03

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 90,000 miles.

0%0–107%10–2514%25–5021%50–7536%75–10014%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 78,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2018202020222024122026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Ford Flex. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Flex · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 15.1% risk
Flex · SUV FWDnot rated———4 · 16.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Ford Flex version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162218$3,700
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic152117$3,950
Flex FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162319$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Ford Flex → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 82 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 82 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Flex

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201925750,0004—1950 · TypicalRising
20186960,0003—1931 · FewerRising
20174278,5004—190 · FewerRising
201610162,1553—1929 · FewerRising
201511556,8004—2053 · TypicalStable
201424965,0004—2078 · MoreFalling
201358065,0006—20100 · MoreFalling
20126465,0062—1925 · FewerStable
201114473,5002—1951 · TypicalStable
201013972,0001—2047 · TypicalStable
200918160,0001—1973 · MoreFalling

All Ford Flex model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Ford Flex have?

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford Flex as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Ford Flex is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 13 complaints (31% of the total), followed by suspension with 13.

Has the 2017 Ford Flex been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford Flex get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Ford Flex (Flex FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Ford Flex reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,500 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 90,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.