Home · 2019 Ford Flex · Complaints

What 221 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Flex

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (221)Crash / fire / injury (4)Backup camera & sensors (120)Body & structure (46)Electrical system (22)Visibility & wipers (12)Engine (5)Suspension (5)Lane Departure (4)Airbags (2)Engine & cooling (2)Steering (2)

Newest first · 221 complaints · page 1 of 9

Jul 13, 2026Seat belts

Seat belt on driver's side is not coming out smoothly. It will remain locked or come out only a few inches. It takes many tries before you can put the seatbelt on. It clicks out incrementally or sometimes it goes on smoothly with no problems. Once seat belt is on the driver, it locks even when the driver isn't braking or pushing break pedal. The seatbelt may also sometimes be locked when braking and the belt will slip out a couple of clicks allowing forward movement of driver. Seatbelt malfuntion or lack of predictability is a safety issue. This problem has been happening for 3 weeks- at first I thought it was high temperature related and just quirky but it happens throught the day across cooler evenings. I have not had it inspected yet but will be taking to the dealership in the next week or so. No pervasive lights are on indicating an issue. Occasionally my airbag light will come on for a trip and go back off before next start up. It is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI 11750104

Jul 7, 2026Body & structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the driver-side exterior B-Pillar trim partially detached, hit the driver-side window, and eventually fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the driver-side B-Pillar trim needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V829000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11748786

Jun 29, 2026Body & structureBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear image on the screen. In addition, the contact stated that the screen was occasionally blue or displayed the message "Camera not Available". The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 11747140

Jun 29, 2026Body & structureBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer confirmed that the manufacturer was currently only providing parts for the Mustang vehicles. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 111,600.

NHTSA ODI 11747186

Jun 25, 2026Electrical system

Back up camera is inverted. Its been 8 months sinse recall. Nothing from Ford. 2 Computer screen will not update,

NHTSA ODI 11746372

Jun 19, 2026

My Ford Flex has an open recall to fix the rear-view camera from December 2024. The status shows "Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available". This is now going on 18 months and it is unacceptable that they cannot fix it. It is a safety issue because my rear-view camera does not work and I am filing a complaint based on this not being resolved in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI 11745200

Jun 18, 2026

REAR-VIEW CAMERA DOES NOT DISPLAY A VIDEO IMAGE, IF SO, IT IS INTERMITTENT OR HAS LOSS OF IMAGE, AND OR DISTORTED IMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11745142

Jun 15, 2026

MY VEHICLES REAR-VIEW CAMERA DISPLAYS AN INVERTED VIDEO IMAGE, INTERMITTENT OR PERSISTENT LOSS OF IMAGE, AND DISTORTED IMAGE. MY SON HAS AUTISM AND WILL RUN BEHIND OUR VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ALMOST HIT DUE TO MY CAR'S FAULTY CAMERA. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND BEFORE THERE WAS EVEN A RECALL AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT. THIS WAS 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY STILL TELL ME THE SAME THING WHEN I CALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11744214

Jun 10, 2026Backup camera & sensors

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11743213

Jun 10, 2026Electrical system

My vehicle keeps stalling while driving down the road. The vehicle suddenly loses power and stops on the roadway. No indicator lights come on and after several times pushing the push ignition button the car will start. This has happened on several occasions.

NHTSA ODI 11743359

Jun 10, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated the vehicle had experienced the rearview camera failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743245

Jun 8, 2026

So. The b Pilar thing is about to fly off, it’s making a whistling noise. The back up camera doesn’t work and makes my whole panel stop working leading to not letting me control climate so it’s stuck blowing heat. I have young children so I haven’t been able to drive the car much for about two-3 months now. Ford told me they can’t do anything til they have the parts but I’m stuck with no vehicle and still paying. It’s too dangerous to drive it tho.

NHTSA ODI 11742671

Jun 8, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a distorted, blank, or upside-down image, and the camera had become inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to repair the rearview camera but was unsuccessful. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact called the local dealer, who stated that a second notification would be sent once the recall remedy was available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised as the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11742639

Jun 3, 2026Body & structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side B Pillar Trim Appliques detached and fell off. The dealer ws made aware of the failre, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 11741807

Jun 2, 2026Engine

2019 Flex , Odometer reading 58,190. Coolant seen on lower part of engine along with low coolant level. Took to dealership who confirmed the water pump failed and was leaking. We were lucky it was caught early before coolant leaked into the engine, causing the engine to stop while driving and permanently damage engine. There are no warnings for this when it happens (coolant leaking into engine),we were just fortunate to notice low coolant. Because there are no coolant warnings, it can lead to catastrophic engine damage while operating vehicle.There are no guarantees that this will not happen again, only parts are under two year warranty. After research, Ford knew this was an issue with this engine when we bought it, not only on the Flex but same engine on other models, yet continued to sell them. Cost $3,391.71 to repair. Because it is over 5 year warranty no help offered, yet is under 60K miles. There are other complaints regarding this same issue yet Ford continues to not acknowledge faulty design of engine. 2) still waiting for rrecall/repair of backup camera, 3) also waiting-recall/repair for plastic pillar covers. Both of these are under a recall for over a year. NHTSA has other complaints of this from consumers.

NHTSA ODI 11741616

May 28, 2026Body & structureBackup camera & sensors

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11740601

May 22, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V951000(BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure intermittently and a warning message informing the back up camera was inoperable had displayed. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11739456

May 22, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera screen displayed a blue screen. In addition, the error code indicated that the rear view camera display was unavailable. The failure occurred intermittently. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11739534

May 15, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera image would intermittently display either a blank or distorted image. The dealer was contacted and an appointment was made to have the recall serviced. Upon return to the dealer, the contact was informed that parts remained unavailable and that a second notice would be sent once parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738056

May 13, 2026Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the passenger side windshield started to detach. The contact also stated that the trim located on the driver’s door had also detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part required for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. 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 for the recall repair. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11737667

May 2, 2026Engine

In October of 2025 the vehicle began to make engine noises. Within a day the vehicle stalled and shut down completely. I had my mechanic examine the car and they advise coolant had leaked into the engine cause damage. The engine had to be replaced. No warranty coverage and 4k later.

NHTSA ODI 11735238

Apr 29, 2026Body & structureVisibility & wipers

1) rear camera recall since November 2024, still no action. No rear vision on camera. 2) trim panel on driver door has flown off on highway twice, have area covered with black tape for a year now. I have heard nothing from Ford or dealer. Can't even get through to the dealer's service dept.

NHTSA ODI 11734562

Apr 29, 2026Electrical system

Along with problems from the current recalls (that still don't have remedies), our 2019 Ford Flex also has a faulty gas gauge. Not sure what component it would be considered, but even when we fill the tank up with gas, it doesn't register properly how much gas we have in the tank. It shouldn't be a guessing game as to how much gas is in the vehicle. I used to love Fords, but the combination of safety issues is concerning.

NHTSA ODI 11734597

Apr 29, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable and a message that the camera was not available was displayed. The dealer was contacted, but 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11734638

Apr 24, 2026Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse (R), the rearview camera was blank. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly when the vehicle was being operated after sitting idle for a while. The failure was intermittent. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11733502

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Working with the data? Download all 221 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Ford Flex verdict →