2017 Ford FLEX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
78,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 42 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Back Over Prevention | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Suspension: 13; Unknown Or Other: 13; Back Over Prevention: 6; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Structure: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 9; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 12; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11329528 · 2020-06-18 (June 18, 2020)
LOSS OF POWER, RPM TOO HIGH FOR NORMAL SHIFTING UP TO 6 RPMS. CAT CONVERTER NOISE AFTER CAR SHUT OFF DUE TO GETTING TO HOT. FLUCTUATION RPM AT IDLE. OIL ON TOP OF VALVE COVER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11329528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636371 · 2025-01-16 (January 16, 2025)
My car is making a weird popping noise accompanied by a slight jolt when it’s changing gears while driving. I was told the 2017 ford flexes where part of the campaign number 22S43 a recall affecting the 2017 Ford Flex primarily concerns a potential issue with the transmission shifter cable bushing, which could become damaged or missing, potentially preventing the transmission from properly shifting into the intended gear position and increasing the risk of the vehicle rolling away when parked. My vehicle is showing the same indicators.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11636371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324447 · 2020-05-13 (May 13, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS SHE HEARD APPROACHING POLICE SIRENS. AS THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS THRUST INTO THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT WENT TO AN URGENT CARE FACILITY WHERE SHE SOUGHT TREATMENT FOR INJURIES TO HER NECK, HER LEFT ARM AND HER BACK. THE CONTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478347 · 2022-08-09 (August 9, 2022)
The Driver side seatbelt begins to lock as you pull it down to click it into the buckle. While driving the seatbelt will also lock and continue to get tighter and tighter and suddenly release. It will continue to lock and then unlock while driving. This is happening with regular driving, and not when applying the brakes.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11723541 · 2026-03-11 (March 11, 2026)
Hello, I recently submitted a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ford Flex. The complaint number is XXX. I would like to add additional information that I forgot to include in the original report. The vehicle’s power liftgate has intermittently opened on its own while the vehicle was parked. There have been occasions where I came outside and found the liftgate open overnight in my driveway. This issue appears to be intermittent and part of the same electrical problems affecting the backup camera system described in my complaint. Please add …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11723541 at NHTSA ↗