2018 Ford Flex Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2018 Ford Flex report two dominant themes: body trim that detaches while driving, and a rearview camera that intermittently goes blank, distorted, or displays an unavailable message. Both correspond to open safety recalls for this model year, and many complaints center on how long owners have waited for remedy parts. A smaller but consistent group reports rear suspension toe link failures, often at 60,000-80,000 miles.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank, distorted, or unavailable

   • 29 complaints (42%)
   • median 101,500 mi at 8.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the backup camera showing a blue, black, green, or scrambled image, or a 'camera not available' message, intermittently when shifting into reverse — and in some cases the image staying on after shifting to drive. Several say the dealer could not repair it because recall parts were unavailable. A few owners also describe related SYNC screen and audio failures. Reported from around 60,000 miles up to 150,000 miles, without a clear pattern to weather or use.

   Recall 25V695000

   What to check: Test the camera in reverse on a test drive, checking for a stable image and working guidelines, and ask whether recall 25V695000 has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The backup camera on my Flex has stopped working. It displays a scrambled image or nothing at all and an error message saying the ‘camera is not available’. This is dangerous, as I could back up and injure someone. I see Ford has a recall underway for millions of vehicles with this problem and the fix is a software update. I suggest NHTSA look into including the Flex in the recall, because this appears to be the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11682030, filed 2025-08

   “Backup camera goes from working to blue screen when backing up. I've reset the settings but continue to have the same issue. Very dangerous. It's the same issue/problem that you just fined Ford $165 million dollars. The models covered by the Ford recall included the 2020 Ford Edge, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, Mustang, Ranger and Transit, as well as the Lincoln Corsair and Nautilus. Why isn't this 2018 model included in the recall by Ford? How do I get it covered? Seems arbitrary that the recall ends with 2020 models.”

   NHTSA complaint #11625458, filed 2024-11
2. 2
   Body and structure

   B-pillar trim detaching while driving

   Mentioned in 13 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the B-pillar trim on the driver or passenger side coming loose and in some cases flying off while driving at highway speed, sometimes held on only by the keypad wiring. Some owners report the trim striking the vehicle or nearly hitting traffic behind them, and one owner said the doors locked themselves after the trim came off. Dealers reportedly told owners the recall remedy parts were not yet available and gave no timeline. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, often during highway driving.

   Recall 25V7320001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect both B-pillar trims for looseness, gaps, or missing keypad pieces, and ask whether recall 25V732000 has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recently, while driving on the freeway The drivers B pillar, came off and was only held on by the wires for the keyless entry. While driving on the freeway, I had to hold the B pillar until I could get off the freeway. When I called Ford, they told me to bring it in to get it looked at to proceed with the repair, but was then informed there is no parts at this time and had no time line when they would receive them. which is completely unacceptable since my B pillar is no longer attached. Also, my backup camera does not work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11730135, filed 2026-04

   “While driving on the Gerald R Ford Fwy in Michigan my driver side pillar with my key pad flew off and detached from my vehicle. Part flew off, hit the back window of my vehicle and almost hit another vehicle that was driving behind me. Other vehicle behind needed to swerve so my pillar from my vehicle wouldn't hit their windshield. Now my vehicle is missing the pillar piece and I need to go online and find that part and purchase the piece myself out of pocket. Current piece that we bought doesn't stay on and gets loose from time to time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11696174, filed 2025-10
3. 3
   Electrical system

   SYNC infotainment and audio glitches

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 35,197 mi at 2.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the SYNC 3 screen freezing or loading slowly, navigation faults, lost Bluetooth, crackling or popping audio, and periods with no sound from the radio, touch tones, or calls. Owners say the issues come and go over days or weeks, and dealers sometimes advised waiting on a recall remedy rather than paying for diagnosis or replacement. Reported at a wide range of mileages, from around 30,000 miles upward, with no seasonal pattern in the sample.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that SYNC is on current software, and confirm the screen, navigation, Bluetooth, and audio all work during the test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air conditioner will turn off by itself or blow hot air out of no where. Sometimes it will blow hot air in the front and cold in the rear and vice versa. The radio intermittently shuts off as well. There are times where my key fab will not lock or unlock my car. The A/C problem.happens when the car is in motion. The radio will happen when in motion or at a stand still. The key fab is when the car is stationary.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349111, filed 2020-08, 35,197 miles

   “Hands-free connection to phone-Bluetooth. This happened a year ago. I believe around Sept 14th 2020. 6 days after warranty expiration the Sync3 hands-free system died on my Flex. I only had 32000 miles at that time. It was touted as a great safety feature when I purchased the car brand new. I live in Branson Mo where every road is curvy and drops off into ravines. The system is totally inoperable. Called Ford 800 number, they checked and told me they would not do anything with it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11442602, filed 2021-12
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear suspension toe link fracture

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the rear toe link breaking while driving, causing the rear of the vehicle to feel unstable, misaligned, or to fishtail, and in some cases leading to loss of control and a collision. Several owners report needing a tow and replacement of the rear links, and some note their vehicle was not covered by the earlier rear suspension recall. Reported from about 30,000 to 83,000 miles, usually during highway driving.

   Recall 20V072000

   What to check: Have the rear suspension toe links inspected for cracks, looseness, or play before purchase, and ask whether they have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The cars rear toe link broke while driving. It cause the vehicle to go out of control and wreck I to the guard rail. Another motorist hit the car as it was wrecking. The local Ford dealership confirmed that the rear toe link failed and replaced them with redesigned ones that are safer. I had to pay for this repair, the tow charges and my insurance is fixing the other car that hit me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11494921, filed 2022-11

   “There is a recall 20s04. I was told my car is outside the building date. However, the toe bar snapped. What do I do to get my car entered into the recall, as this is the exact problem it was recalled for”

   NHTSA complaint #11624362, filed 2024-11

Buying note. Check both open recalls (rearview camera and B-pillar trim) for completed repairs on any used example, and have the rear suspension inspected. Confirm the camera and infotainment system work before buying, since remedy parts have reportedly been slow to arrive.

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.