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2014 Ford Flex Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Ford Flex carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering fuel pump and seats. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Backup camera failure or inverted image.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #16V621000 · Aug 25, 2016

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

SEATS

Campaign #14V710000 · Jul 11, 2014

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 and Flex vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly. This can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) to inaccurately register passenger weight and improperly suppress the passenger front airbag when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult passenger. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Improper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger airbag.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will widen the gap between the seat frame and seat track assembly and recalibrate the seat OCS, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C10.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Campaign #14V393000 · Feb 7, 2014

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

SUSPENSION:REAR

Campaign #20V072000 · Oct 2, 2020

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Ford Flex.

Reported to NHTSA

Backup camera failure or inverted image

BACK OVER PREVENTION

21 NHTSA complaints · 2023-10 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen, and the message “Camera not Available” was displayed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11717008
“Rear view camera does not work permanently sometimes image is upside down or no image. A lot of times this happens while backing up creating a safety hazard as we can hit other cars or people”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629262
“We own a 2014 Ford Flex, and have been experiencing persistent problems with its rear backup camera system. We have been having this problem for close to 3 yrs now. The camera works intermittently every now and then. Sometimes, we get a message “Rear view camera unavailable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11549375

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear suspension toe link fracture

SUSPENSION

16 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2022-03

“The vehicle was repaired under recall 20V-072. This was for the rear suspension toe link. The replacement rear suspension toe link on the right side has cracked. This was discovered when the right rear wheel was removed for tire replacement. I have a photo of the failed toe link”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11457863
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 FORD FLEX ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13 ON HWY 684 / SAW MILL PARKWAY. I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE, WHICH IT TURNS OUT FRACTURED THE TOE LINK, THE ITEM THAT WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 20V072 NHTSA DATE: FEB 10, 2020 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 20S04”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11355217
“NHTSA HAS ISSUED RECALL 20V072 COVERING MY VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE TOE LINK THE LEFT REAR TIRE ON MY CARE IS WEARING UNEVENLY AND CUPPING. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAYS THEY COULD REPLACE THE TOE LINK AND DO THE REQUIRED ALIGNMENT IN ONE DAY AT A COST OF ~$300”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342051

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door ajar sensor false alert disables locks

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2022-05

“Drivers door spontaneously thinks it’s open and when driving all cab lights come on and at night it’s blinding. This has been going on for over 6 months and getting worse”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475147
“DOORS DO NOT LOCK WHILE DRIVING; WARNING THAT DOOR IS NOT CLOSED WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373540
“DRIVER DOOR SENSOR DETECTS DOOR AS OPEN WHEN IT IS CLEARLY CLOSED. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU SLAM DOOR THE SENSOR DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE DOOR AS CLOSED. THIS KEEPS THE INSIDE LIGHTS ON AND CAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK EVEN WHEN IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ENTER CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353519

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist failure while driving

STEERING

56 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2026-02

“I was driving down a main road going 45 MPH when my steering wheel locked up and I got a message on my dash to service advanced steering. I was unable to turn my steering wheel in any direction and had to pull over in order to not be involved in a collision”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11720819
“Without warning, the vehicle's power steering stopped working in an intersection while turning. The hazard lights came on automatically and I used my full body strength to steer the car out of the intersection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11685817
“Driving along and all of a sudden steering will be very difficult to turn - and there is play in the steering wheel. Not being able to turn safely, puts my family at risk. There are no warning lights or alarms that have shown up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11659925

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump control module failure causing stall or no-start

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

43 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2026-07

“Hello, I was driving my Ford Flex at 60mph yesterday with my 15 year old friend helping me move. The engine completely died for several seconds and continued running. That night the engine was idling rough which was a new symptom”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752265
“Driving down road at 45MPH, vehicle lost power, motor quite running. Due to being on 4 lane divided road, and cars all around, I quickly hit my hazard lights, put it in neutral and coasted best I could and was able to turn on a side road to safety. This was very dangerous”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512087
“MY 2014 FORD FLEX WILL NOT START. I CAME HOME FROM WORK, SHUT OF CAR. WENT OUT A SHORT TIME AFTER WARDS TO GO OUT TO DINNER. WOULD NOT START.ENGINE TURNS OVER, ENGINE ALMOST STARTS BUT DOESN'T. FAULT CODES FROM COMPUTER INDICATE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162858

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Second-row seat belt buckle or retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2020-10

“HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELTS RETRACTING TO THE POINT NOW WHERE KLABEN FORD SAYS THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A REAR PASSENGER AIRBAG SEATBELT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11206208
“FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BELT BUCKLE GETS STUCK. WHEN THE PASSENGER TRIES TO UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT, IT DOES NOT UNBUCKLES AND PASSENGER GETS STUCK IN CAR SEAT. SOMETIME IT TAKES MORE THEN HALF AN HOUR AND MULTIPLE TIMES TRIES TO GET IT UNLOCK. FRUSTRATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11186343
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INFLATABLE SEAT BELTS ON THE SECOND ROW WERE DAMAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154203

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 14, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 14, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

F-150 4x4 and Bronco 4x4: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

18 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Ford Flex reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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