2016 Ford Flex problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2016 Ford Flex. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 17% of relevant complaints.
Better than 92% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2016 Ford Flex have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 16 of 98 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Flex concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (17%). For comparison, the 2015 scores 28% and the 2017 scores 8%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Ford Flex
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 16 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Ford Flex?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Ford Flex involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Ford Flex? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2016 Ford Flex have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 16 of 98 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Flex concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (17%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Ford Flex?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Ford Flex involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total: 16V925000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Flex years are better?
Among the Ford Flex years we track, the 2019 (4%), the 2018 (6%) and the 2017 (8%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (17%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford Flex?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2016 Ford Flex shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.