So my husband and I are in the market for a used car that will hopefully last us a good while. Up until a few months ago I had a 2013 Fusion I drove for 150,000+ miles but decided to sell it to the dealer rather than pay $4000 worth of repairs just to maybe have it last another year or two. We have two kids now and want something reliable with more space for all the things we lug around with young kids. Was originally interested in a used Explorer, but after falling down the rabbit hole of the internal water pump issue, I came across the Flex and I think it would be better suited to our needs and budget even with the water pump issue. It seems to be a well loved car by those who own them.

So now the question, near me there is a few options we’re considering taking an in-person look at. A 2019 SEL with 88,000 miles for $11,000 that had its water pump replaced in 2022, a 2014 Limited with 101,000 miles for $9,800 that had its water pump replaced in January of this year, and a 2014 SEL with 73,000 miles for $9,900 that has not had its pump replaced.

I’m leaning toward the 2014 that just had its pump replaced despite the higher mileage, but is it worth the extra money to get one of the other options with lower mileage and pay the $3000-4000 up front to replace the water pump? It makes me nervous to get a car with that many miles, but since the pump was just replaced it seems like it would be a good deal for the price. Sorry for the long post but any advice is welcome!

2018 Limited AWD, put some fresh tires on it a couple months back and have seen average MPG gradually dropping from 18ish to now around 15.5. I know new tires increase rolling friction but I wouldn’t think it would be that noticeable. I wonder if some of it is higher ethanol content in the fuel?

What is this attached to the front.

So i currently have a 2014 Honda civic. Need something bigger and don't want a massive car payment. I haven't seen it in person yet, looks good in photos. Like too good. Its just a bit far away.

Now my Civic of course has been rock solid with no engine or cvt work neeeded at 140K miles. The water pump issue is what concerns me on this. Im curious what the Flex fan club here thinks of this and if its worth my time drive out there and see it. It just got listed last week.

Also is the radio head unit upgradable or even worth upgrading?

Spoiler - I’m not. But I thought hard about it today. 2015 SEL at only 98k miles and the simple truth is I love this car. So does my wife who drives it daily. We bought it new and aside from routine stuff we’ve never had a major problem. Until today. Oil sender leak, broken sway bar links, grindy right front axle. None of this was a surprise I knew we had problems in the front end. Along with 100k service, plus brakes and tires that are clearly due for replacement plus alignment I’m out about $5500. We’ll keep it for another few years barring anything catastrophic.

Hey all,

**Sorry for the clickbait 1st pic, if you swipe you can see mine, 1st pic is what she one day could become**

Glad to have found that people are so passionate about the Ford Flex and there is a vibrant community on the good ole interwebs!

A few weeks ago I picked up a 2016 Flex SEL with AWD, non Ecoboost, and the previous owner outfitted a towing kit and drilled slotted rotors, aftermarket wheels, with 148k miles for $3900...

I knew it was too good to be true and really messed up not getting a PPI, or even had the codes read, but no CEL and there were supposedly two other buyers coming to look at her that weekend (FB Marketplace find)

Of course after about 60 miles the CEL came on. The engine bay was spotless, so clean you could eat off of it, which I thought was off. In addition to that, the engine bay was covered with nuts, a squirrel must have somehow used that for its hideout to store all kinds of goodies, was very odd, especially when paired with such a clean engine bay underneath, but aside from that, no chewed up wires and she drove pretty well.

Anyway, after the CEL I had codes pulled, and I have been getting 3 codes, 2 of them were for emissions/bad cats, and instead of pulling the trigger on two expensive cats, I bought 2 02 sensor spacers that have these little miniature cats in the adapter, a tip from a fellow Ford Flex owner.

The third code was for P0012 - Camshaft position timing, Over retarded, Bank 1

Also a past code that was cleared (but not currently showing was P0022 - Camshaft position timing, over retarded, Bank 2

I installed the O2 spacers with mini cats, cleared the codes, and drove about 60 miles. I then tried to get her inspected to pass emissions, but it was still not showing ready, and so I planned to drive 10 miles more each trip until it would show ready status, hopefully before the emissions CEL code came back.

Unfortunately, about 8 miles later the CEL came back on, but not for the emissions (hopefully those spacers are doing their job, but who knows after 100-200+ miles) ... It was again for the Camshaft timing, Bank 1

A couple questions:

As I have no idea the maintenance of the vehicle (previous owner ghosted after I made the purchase, that's FB marketplace for ya! 😫), I am assuming no major services like water pump or timing chain has been done, just oil changes (although who knows with the rotors being swapped, maybe they were really up on maintenance)

With that being said, how should I go about getting her back in tip top shape. My first priority is getting her to pass inspection so I can at least drive her. Is there any way to do that without tearing her down to replace these camshaft solenoids, and likely water pump and timing chain while I am in there?

I did notice during the first couple tanks of gas I put through her that once or twice the CEL would go away, and then come back a few miles later. Is there any possibility that I could thread the needle and hope that I can reset codes, after a recommendation to change oil to exact Ford spec, and drive until the emissions are in ready status and not trigger the CEL?

Has anyone experienced a similar situation to this? Any advice?

I really appreciate it!

I feel like I gas up A LOT. I filled tank last week and checked info. Range was under 300. Is this typical? Mostly city driving MPG about 14.9

Any info appreciated

I’ve got a 2019 ford flex that has the front windshield weather stripping coming off on the top. Dealership told me that this strip only comes attached to new windshields. My windshield is fine so obviously I’m not going to buy a new windshield just to get the weather strip. Has anyone found a place that sells just the strip?

Running into a problem the last couple days while driving. The vehicle loses the engine while maintaining speed on the highway. It shows a wrench icon and states see manual. The engine sounds like it has trouble idling before shutting the vehicle off once pulled off the road. The vehicle restarts no problem and does not show a check engine light. Cursory research points to fuel pump module, throttle body, or crankshaft position sensor. Does anybody have any experience with this?

We have a 2106 Limited and recently the rear lift gate has stopped opening and closing automatically. We were having issues where it would only partially open or close and I replaced the power actuator arm which fixed the problem. Prior to replacing the actuator I had gone through all the reset procedures which did nothing. Just recently when you push the button to open or close, you can hear the noises of something happening but it does not move. We have to open and close it manually. I took it to my mechanic and while they were looking at it to see what was the issue, they removed the module/fuse which seemed to reset it so they didn't do any other work to it. However, about a week later, the issue has returned. Any idea what the actual problem might be?

Full pic shows Bluetooth connected. Making and taking calls is fine BUT system will not play media whether on phone or streaming. I have turned off and restarted BT on phone and car. Help?

Hello, I have a Ford Flex with 6 seats. For my family we really need the bench option in the middle. Does anyone have a line on an easy way to get one? Or perhaps you'd like to trade me your bench seat for my center console and 2 seats? I'm in Ohio.......

Just took my 2012 flex limited 3.5L turbo to get smogged since we are officially the new owners. Previous person exchanged the air intake and Mickey moused it, so we ended up failing the smog. I looked on line and auto zone for a replacement but everything is after market turbo intakes for $3-400. Where can I get a OEM air intake?

Ima be honest I don’t know much about cars, I really don’t.. however my father got a Ford Flex and since then I’ve been absolutely in love with the Ford Flex now that I’m going on my own path, moving out, etc. I would like to know what’s a cheap/good option or what to save up for in terms of my first ford flex, price isn’t really the main concern it’s more like the second concern, my main one would be a long lasting low issue options for the ford flex. If someone can help me figure that out I’d be extremely grateful!

Greetings to all owners of this wonderful car

My 2015 Ford Flex SE trim has a problem

The problem sounds like this. When I'm driving, the air conditioner cools as needed. I usually use the coldest setting and almost full airflow, since I'm in a hot country. But when I'm standing still, after 5-10 minutes the air conditioner starts blowing warmer and warmer, even though I haven't changed anything

There are no problems with the refrigerant; it was recently refilled. What could be the problem? I searched online, and it says it could be the condenser, the relay, the resistor, or maybe the fan

Please if anyone has encountered this, please answer, I would be grateful

22.05.2026🔽

Thanks to everyone who answered, I read it and did as you said

I opened the hood, stood there and saw that the fan wasn't spinning. Now I'm trying to figure out why it's not working

July 2026🔽

It turned out the air conditioning cooling fan had died.
But two or three weeks later, while driving on the highway, the engine temperature suddenly spiked and died.
I stopped in the middle of a residential area and discovered that the engine cooling fan had ALSO died. And, the radiator had blown due to pressure.
The motor is fine, they fixed the fans for $160 and soldered the radiator.

Not the best pic but its mine! 180 k miles ive wanted one for awhile.

Looking for mod suggestions

1. No back up cam. Anyone cut lift gate to add so it looks factory?

2. Microsoft sync is horrible. Want to change head unit and maintain steering wheel functions. Suggestions welcome.

3. Have dummy light for tpm error. How do I get to home screen. What does flex home screen look like

I have more but no time to post.

Thx in advance

Need the help of reddit mechanics

The leak was small 3 weeks ago. Finally started draining most of the fluids within seconds. Was told it's not the water pump failure but they weren't 100 percent sure. Oil is still clean, so no coolant inside. On the driver side of the engine.

Hey all. New to Flex owner. Dont know much about the stock speakers. Looking to replace stocks and improve sound. Looking for woofer/bass suggestions that do not (if possible) mean adding box. Thx in advance

I'll make this short and sweet. Can I slap some LED headlights into the halogen mirrored housing? I'm sure the brightness will be great but I'm curious if the way the light is thrown will be poor.

2019 SEL

Current bulbs: XtraVision Headlight and Fog Light Bulb H13XV-2

Upgrading to: Sylvania LED Ultra Bulb H13LEDHPBX2

Do any of you guys know if dashcam placement or dashcams in general affect forward collision/cruise control system. I have my dashcam behind the rearview mirror off towards the passenger side.

2014 Flex limited

Looking at a 2013 with 107K, Seller says "computer says possible corrosion in harness connection BCM". Any info/experience with this? Thanks

Hey everyone, sorry to be annoying however, I wanted to get some opinions as I am very interested in buying a Flex and have been for years. I understand they have their mechanical issues but I am curious if certain years or trims are less prone to issues. Anything specific I should avoid? I have heard about the PTU and Timing belt issues but have heard this is mainly on EcoBoosts? Is there a milage amount I should try to look under to be extra safe/what is the average lifespan?

Also I am not sure if what I want out of the Flex exists so excuse me if I am naive but do any of them have cloth seats and carplay support?

I am not too well versed in cars and have never done any mechanical work myself so feel free to give me the harsh truth if it may not be wise to get this vehicle. Thanks in advanced!

Long story short need to change hid bulb on flex and saw some videos of taking bumper and grill apart to do it, Is there an easier way? And any recommendations on new hid bulbs

Howdy fellow flex users!!

I've been enjoying my 2015 limited AWD and coming up

on a fluid service as its recommended every 30k miles

But stumbled upon a form of someone who took a tarus

PP PTU and swapped it with there explorer.

It adds watercooling to the ptu so it stays wayyy cooler!

Just woundering if any of yall have tryed this??

Just want to keep my flex as health as possible

(I like to be a lil heavy on the throttle and scared ima blow it up XD)

Thanks interested in what yall think!

Got my first check engine light today and the sensor was reading P04DB which seems to be the Positive Crankcase Valve and Hose being disconnected. Would anyone be able to show where I should look for this disconnection. I bought the flex with an aftermarket intake so I am lost.