Model year guide

2018 Ford Flex

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Ford Flex is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2018 Ford Flex — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Ford Flex at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints61
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$24,605

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2018 Ford Flex recalls 3

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #20V072000 · 10/02/2020

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.

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 …

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera NHTSA Campaign #25V695000 · 13/10/2025

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 when the vehicle is in reverse.

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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional l…

Structure:body NHTSA Campaign #25V732000 · 24/10/2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

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 the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2018 Ford Flex common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Lane Departure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2018 Ford Flex MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,417

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2018 Ford Flex worth?

Low
$17,999
Typical price
$24,605
High
$28,995

From 12 comparable 2018 Ford Flex listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Ford Flex costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,085
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,900
Total$19,985
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($24,605) with the same model 5 model-years older ($21,693), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Ford Flex trims & engines on record

Trims
Limited · SEL · SE
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 287 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 365 hp

2018 Ford Flex vehicles on record

2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMGK5D88JBA13550 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMGK5D81JBA01059 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMGK5C8XJBA18671 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMGK5C82JBA00830 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMHK6D80JBA13536 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMGK5D89JBA01679 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex SE2FMGK5B89JBA01295 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMGK5D85JBA14977 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMGK5C88JBA15428 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMHK6C81JBA20190 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMHK6C86JBA15857 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMHK6DT7JBA09956 2018 Ford Flex SEL2FMHK6C82JBA18741 2018 Ford Flex SE2FMGK5B88JBA22722 2018 Ford Flex Limited2FMGK5D8XJBA17048

Other Ford Flex model years

2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

2018 Ford Flex — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ford Flex have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Flex. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Flex?

Based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, back over prevention, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Flex get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2018 Ford Flex at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 2018 Ford Flex worth?

Comparable 2018 Ford Flex listings run roughly $17,999–$28,995, typically around $24,605 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.