BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2016 Ford Flex
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 94 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Ford Flex, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 86 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 5 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2018 | 3 | 9 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 13 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 15 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 17 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 18 |
| Aug 2020 | 2 | 20 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 21 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 22 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 24 |
| Feb 2021 | 2 | 26 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 27 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 28 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 29 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 30 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 31 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 32 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 33 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 34 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 35 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 36 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 37 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 38 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 39 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 40 |
| Jun 2024 | 2 | 42 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 43 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 44 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 46 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 47 |
| Dec 2024 | 2 | 49 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 51 |
| May 2025 | 2 | 53 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 54 |
| Jul 2025 | 4 | 58 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 59 |
| Sep 2025 | 7 | 66 |
| Oct 2025 | 3 | 69 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 70 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 71 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 73 |
| Mar 2026 | 4 | 77 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 80 |
| May 2026 | 4 | 84 |
| Jun 2026 | 4 | 88 |
| Jul 2026 | 5 | 93 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 94 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance3430.4%
- Electrical2219.6%
- Suspension108.9%
- Powertrain (other)87.1%
- Steering87.1%
- Engine87.1%
- Body & structure87.1%
- Seat belts32.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:REAR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
There is a current recall on the backup camera that has been pending since 2025. Parts are still not available as of today even though Ford stated parts and instructions were going to be available before end of 2nd quarter, June 30, 2026. Camera has not worked since mid 2025, Ford has been aware since end of 2025.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754494
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, 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 failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. A black screen was displayed on the screen while in reverse. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact paid out of pocket for the dealer to replace the camera. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751565
- Incident
- Jan 6, 2025
- Mileage
- 68,000 mi
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The rearview camera became intermittently inoperative. The contact stated that the intermittent failure made it difficult to safely reverse the vehicle while the rearview camera was inoperable. While reversing in a parking lot, the rearview camera became inoperative. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751564
- Incident
- Feb 20, 2025
- Mileage
- 130,000 mi
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank or distorted screen. In addition, the contact stated that the rear-view camera flickered on and off and the rear-view camera unavailable message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751064
- Incident
- Oct 23, 2025
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
The contact owns a 2016 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 available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear image on the center display. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11750080
- Incident
- Dec 15, 2025
- Mileage
- 43,000 mi
As I was driving turning at a light to go right all of a sudden my steering wheel got super hard and It almost caused me to get into an accident. I didn't have the strength to grip the steering wheel. Shortly after the advanced traction control service light came on. Luckily there was an auto parts store near the incident. I stopped left my vehicle running and got it scanned. There was a code that came up U0420-81 it was odd because my wheels where straight but the steering wheel was completely off. Then I turned my car off waiting at least 5 minutes. The traction control light came off and the steering wheel was normal. But as I went to back up and turn the steering wheel it did the same thing it got really stiff and I couldn't go anywhere. Then right away a steering assist fault message came on the dash. So just for safety reasons I left the vehicle there to come back later when I had help to tow it. 3 hours later we started the vehicle and nothing happened the steering was fine on the drive home no lights, no stiffness of the steering, no message displayed. Not sure what happened or why it did that all of a sudden when I was driving it. I've had this vehicle for 5 years and it has never done this to me especially while driving. I'm lucky I didn't hit the other vehicle while turning.
- NHTSA ID
- 11748120
- Incident
- Jul 2, 2026
Rear camera has been bad for six months - hazard to drive. Camera not available, is the prompt that comes up. My brother in law took his 2015 Ford F350 in for inspection and his camera was replace this was months ago.
- NHTSA ID
- 11746978
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 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 the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while reversing, and the failure was more significant at nighttime. The dealer was not contacted. 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 50,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11746656
- Incident
- Jun 26, 2022
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive will be able to update the APIM software without the use of a scan tool and does not require the process to be monitored. Ford will be monitoring APIM replacements to confirm TSB directed software updates have been performed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response This may be due to the SYNC software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.