Makes›Ford›Flex›2015

2015 Ford Flex

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 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 14 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 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), 7% better than the 2015 standard SUV average of 18.7 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 116 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Flex — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 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+7%$3,350438
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19+4%$3,550458
Flex AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-1%$3,700481
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Ford Flex SUV FWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★16.4%
2015 Ford Flex SUV AWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★15.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2015 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Ford Flex (this car)20 MPGNot rated4
2015 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated4
2015 Ford Explorer23 MPG★★★★★8
2015 GMC Yukon18 MPG★★★★★10
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe18 MPG★★★★★16
2015 Ford Expedition18 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Nissan Pathfinder26 MPG★★★★★6

Recalls (4)

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Oct 13, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V695000 · 1,448,655 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
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.
Parking Brake · Jul 24, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V464000 · 7,165 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Ford Flex is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

116Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
62,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Back Over Prevention33
Steering19
Fuel/Propulsion System18
Electrical System13
Unknown Or Other13
Power Train11
Engine11
Suspension7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 122/07: 322/12: 123/01: 123/05: 123/07: 124/03: 124/08: 124/10: 125/01: 325/04: 125/05: 425/06: 125/07: 125/08: 225/09: 425/12: 226/02: 526/03: 326/04: 326/06: 426/08: 526/09: 526/10: 621/0923/0124/0325/0125/0625/0926/0326/08max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Ford Flex buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Back Over Prevention — 33 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  3. Steering — 19 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 18 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 62,000 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 2015 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
2014 Flex20202 inNot rated4244
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 →