How soon are you looking to buy a Ford Flex?

Within a week

Within a month

Within 90 days

*This will help us personalize your experience.

Great News: We found some top-ranked Ford Flexs near you

See Listings Now

Here Are The Ford Flex Years To Avoid

in Avoid
Silver Ford Flex

Ford Flex by napolifd — CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Ford Flex is a popular full-size crossover car from the quality Ford brand. This vehicle was first manufactured in 2008 and continued until 2019. If you’re looking into a used car, this one might be on your list. If so, you might wonder - what are the Ford Flex years to avoid?

We’re here to help you with this question so you can make the best decision for your life. There are several Ford Flex years to avoid, but there are also many that will work well. Read on to learn more so you can make a quality decision with the Ford Flex!

THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE FORD FLEX

Read on to learn more about the most reliable Ford Flex year, the least reliable choices, the best Ford vehicle overall, and anything else you should know.

Ford Flex Years to Avoid

As with any car, the Ford Flex has had some incredible versions over the years, building on from mistakes of the past to improve their vehicle. However, there are some Ford Flex years to avoid for the best results, particularly if you want to stay away from expensive repairs.

The Ford Flex years to stay away from include:

  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015

The 2013 model easily stands out as the worst year for the Ford Flex.

There are a few factors that make these the best Ford Flex years to avoid. We’ll go over each of these so you can see the risks that come with each of these years. There are a lot of things to consider with this dominant crossover.

GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE

The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby. 

What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?

So, what makes these the Ford Flex years to avoid? There are a couple of prominent issues that stand out as the top customer complaints about these vehicles. We’ll go over each of them so you can get a better idea of why we recommend going with other years of the Ford Flex.

According to carcomplaints.com, some of the top reasons that make these years worth avoiding include:

  • Electrical issues
  • Engine troubles
  • Interior/Exterior accessory issues 

These were some of the top complaints that came with the Ford Flex. The 2013 model took the cake with all of these.

Let’s go over each of these complaints in detail, touching on some specifics within the complaint and discussing the models that were more prone to the issues. The more you know, the better a decision you can make for your next used Ford Flex.

Electrical Issues

Electrical troubles rose as the prominent problem with these models, especially clear with the 2013 version of the vehicle. The 2014 model was secondary to these complaints. Electrical problems can span from a minor inconvenience to a major, costly repair.

Some of the specific electrical issues included:

  • Door light stays on when the car is shut
  • Loss of power while driving 
  • Would not start 

These are just a few of the electrical issues that rose with these models of the Ford Flex.

This problem is one of the top reasons why we chose the Ford Flex years to avoid. Electrical problems can be unpredictable, and thus inconvenient for the vast majority of drivers. If you don’t want to deal with expensive repairs, avoid the 2013 model and the 2014 model for the best results for your investment.

Engine Troubles

Engine troubles are common with car years that should be avoided, and the Ford Flex is no different. The 2010 Ford Flex is most prone to engine troubles, so take care to steer clear of this model if you don’t want to deal with the expenses that come with it.

Some of the engine troubles included:

  • Blown engine
  • Engine failure
  • Check engine light on

No driver wants to deal with these inconveniences in a used car.

If you’re going to put money into a car investment, you need to find one that will give you the most for what you’ve spent. Years that are prone to engine troubles will cost you money in repairs and inconvenience you in several ways.

THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE

There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new ​sedans with high ground clearance​.

Interior/Exterior Accessory Issues

Interior and exterior accessory issues are the final problems on this list. From air conditioning and heater troubles to stuck seat latches, many tiny components in the above-listed models can be inconvenient for any driver. Although they’re not as expensive to repair, they’re not fun to deal with either.

The later models of the Ford F-250 have worked to improve tiny issues with the vehicle, such as the mentioned seat latches. We’ll go over some of the best models to buy used so you can make the ideal choice for your investment. There’s much to consider with this vehicle.

Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

We’ve talked about the Ford Flex years to avoid. But, that’s only half of the equation. What about the years that are safe to buy used? It’s vital to know both the good and the bad so your final decision can be as solid as possible.

According to carcomplaints.com, some of the best years for the Ford Flex include:

  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019

These years have been some of the best to date with the Ford Flex.

If you want a quality used Ford Flex, these are your best bets. All are solid models in the Flex lineup. They each have complaints that people have raised, but that comes with the territory. No car is without its flaws and these stand miles above the faulty models we talked about earlier.

WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY

Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.

Conclusion

When you want to buy a used car, it can be tricky to narrow down the best year. If you pick the wrong model, you could be wasting your money. With almost ten years of models, it can be difficult to determine which Ford Flex is best for you. That’s where we can help.

We’ve talked about the worst years and some of the most prominent issues customers have complained about over time. We’ve also discussed some of the best years you can buy. These options sail high above the poor years and are excellent used options for anyone looking to invest in a Ford Flex. We hope this information can help you find your next favorite vehicle!

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Why Use CoPilot?

Shop and buy your next car with confidence. CoPilot searches every car at every dealer, every day, and ranks them based on what matters to you.

When you shop for a new or used car, CoPilot helps you know more. We search every car at every dealer so you don't have to, we give you data and insights you won't find anywhere else, and we rank every car so it's easy to find the best car at the best price.

When you're ready to buy your next car, CoPilot helps you make sure you never get taken advantage of at the dealership. Would you like to know more than the salesperson? CoPilot helps you avoid any tricks, traps, and scams. Know how and what you can negotiate. With CoPilot, you'll save time, money, and frustration.