Ford Flex Collision Avoidance Problems

Owners have filed 249 complaints about driver assistance problems with the Ford Flex — 13% of all Flex complaints. The worst model years are 2019 (147), 2015 (33) and 2016 (31). Problems typically start around 67,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

249complaints
2019worst year
67ktypical miles
2related recalls
4crashes
0fires

Collision Avoidance complaints by model year

20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019693331716147
Collision Avoidance complaints per model year, Ford Flex.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
201914757%50,000 miles
20181624%103,000 miles
2017717%90,000 miles
20163131%80,000 miles
20153329%100,000 miles
201494%120,000 miles
201361%85,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Warnings
    21
  • Sensing system › Camera
    20
  • Rearview system braking
    17
  • Blind spot detection
    10
  • Camera system
    2
  • Automatic emergency braking
    2
  • Adaptive cruise control
    1

Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    75%
  • 25k–50k
    3927%
  • 50k–75k
    4128%
  • 75k–100k
    2417%
  • 100k–150k
    2920%
  • 150k+
    53%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable or displayed an inverted image while reversing. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, causing the vehicle to hit another parked unoccupied vehicle on one occasion, and the vehicle hit a dumpster pole on another occasion. There was no injury sustained. The contact's vehicle was damaged, but the other vehicle was more damaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the infotainment system was replaced; however, the rearview camera failure persisted, and the rearview camera displayed a narrow view occasionally. Additionally, the contact stated that the exterior door B-pillar trim had detached and was previously replaced. …

2019 Flex · 2,000 miles · Apr 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) and 25V732000 (STRUCTURE); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rear-view Camera Unavailable" was displayed on the screen. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side B-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. …

2019 Flex · 80,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera displayed a solid green screen. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. In addition, the B- Pillar on the driver's side rear door was detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received recall notifications: NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V732000 (Structurer) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

2018 Flex · 75,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle, the rearview camera became inoperable and the camera image appeared blurry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy parts were currently unavailable for the vehicle, although the contact was informed that remedy parts were available for the Mustang models. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

2018 Flex · 145,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V829000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank image while in reverse(R). In addition, the contact stated that the driver's side B-pillar trim had become loose and could potentially detach from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

2017 Flex · 190,000 miles · Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

2017 Flex · 85,000 miles · Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, it became inoperable, and the Push-to-Start button failed to function. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised to remove the battery. While attempting to remove the battery, there were sparks coming from the negative terminal. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. …

2016 Flex · 220,000 miles · Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image failed to function properly, and the display would appear blue at times. The contact also stated that a "Camera Not Available" warning message would appear intermittently, and on other occasions the image would appear upside down The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part required for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …

2016 Flex · 183,000 miles · May 2026

Related recalls (2)

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-695 · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 24V-951 · Dec 20, 2024 · 30,715 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025.

NHTSA investigations

Rear-view Camera Failure

NHTSA investigation PE24030 · opened Oct 11, 2024 · closed Feb 2, 2026 · led to recall 24V-951

On October 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24030) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera in Model Year (MY) 2019 Ford Flex vehicles. Complaints submitted to NHTSA through Vehicle Online Questionnaires (VOQs), reviewed by ODI, report blank, distorted, or inverted rear-view camera images when in reverse.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Flex years have collision avoidance problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (147), 2015 (33), 2016 (31), 2018 (16) and 2014 (9) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 57% of all complaints for the 2019.

Is there a recall for Ford Flex collision avoidance problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 25V-695 (camera, Oct 13, 2025); 24V-951 (camera, Dec 20, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ford Flex collision avoidance problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the warnings (21 mentions), followed by the sensing system › camera (20).

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.