Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Flex, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Back over prevention | 94 | 39% |
| Unknown or other | 41 | 17% |
| Structure | 24 | 10% |
| Structure | 24 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2% |
| Engine | 4 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 2% |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Getting on Interstate 35 at Bevington, Iowa and heard a noise at drivers side window and a piece of trim broke in 2 pieces, scared me and I pulled over on the Interstate to look and there was a piece hanging from some wi
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
My backup camera is not working all the time, sometimes it comes on but more than not it doesn’t work, I contacted a Dealer and they said there is no solution for this issue.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the rear-view camera was inoperable. While reversing in the driveway, the camera operated intermittently. The contact stated that it was difficult to reverse fro
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
As with many other 2019 Flex owners, I brought my Ford Flex in for a state inspection and surprise surprise! I have to replace my toe link already! Failure after failure.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to perform the recall repairs were not yet
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet availa
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2019 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 ava
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was distorted and flipped upside down. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received not
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2019 Ford Flex. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Risk: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The reca
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final
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 wh
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 76 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and back over prevention is the most reported area with 94 of them (39%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2019 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.