Makes›Ford›Flex›2014

2014 Ford Flex

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Ford Flex
Pictured: 2010 Ford Flex Limited 1 -- 11-25-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited, 5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
4,469–4,839 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2014 Ford Flex is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,839 lb (5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 8% better than the 2014 standard SUV average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 244 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2014

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2013 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Flex →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
5dr Cuv AWD Sel/Limited202 in76 in67.7 in118.1 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,839 lb54/46
5dr Cuv FWD Se/Sel/Limited202 in76 in67.7 in118.1 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,469 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Flex FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20+8%$3,350437
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19+6%$3,550458
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18+1%$3,700483
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.6 MPG2014 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2014 Ford Flex SUV FWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★16.4%
2014 Ford Flex SUV AWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★15.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning

Similar 2014 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Ford Flex (this car)20 MPGNot rated4
2014 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated4
2014 Ford Explorer23 MPG★★★★★6
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe17 MPG★★★★★4
2014 GMC Yukon17 MPG★★★★★3
2014 Ford Expedition16 MPG★★★★★0
2014 Nissan Pathfinder26 MPG★★★★★12

Recalls (4)

Suspension › Rear · Feb 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V072000 · 211,207 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 25, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V621000 · 77,502 vehicles

Problem
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 · Nov 7, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V710000 · 113,418 vehicles

Problem
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 · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V393000 · 83,250 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

244Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
68,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering64
Electrical System54
Fuel/Propulsion System46
Suspension25
Unknown Or Other24
Engine22
Power Train9
Structure › Body9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/01: 124/03: 324/04: 124/05: 124/08: 124/09: 124/10: 224/12: 125/01: 425/02: 225/03: 125/04: 325/05: 225/06: 125/07: 425/08: 125/09: 425/10: 225/11: 125/12: 126/01: 126/02: 226/03: 126/07: 224/0124/0524/1025/0225/0525/0825/1126/02max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Ford Flex buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 64 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 54 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 46 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 68,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Flex. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Flex years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Flex19202 inNot rated4258
2018 Flex19202 inNot rated369
2017 Flex19202 inNot rated442
2016 Flex19202 inNot rated3101
2015 Flex20202 inNot rated4116
2013 Flex20202 inNot rated6554
2012 Flex19202 inNot rated252
2011 Flex19202 inNot rated2112
2010 Flex20202 inNot rated185
2009 Flex19202 inNot rated189

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →