Ford Flex body and structure problems, 2016–2019
88 of the 458 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Flex 2016–2019 name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). The loudest years: 2019 (58), 2018 (18), 2016 (9). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Flex body and structure problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the body and structure | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 in depth | 58 | 23% | 50k | 4 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 18 | 27% | 68k | 3 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% | — | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2016 | 9 | 9% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the body and structure. Nothing here is a rate.
When the body and structure complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 56
Across the model years, half of the 51 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 40,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
B Pillar trim on drive-side door has fallen off multiple times when driving at speeds i’d say about 50mph. Have been lucky not to have lost it as it was barely held on by the keyless entry cord
The passenger side b pillar trim flew off on the highway! The driver side is also loose
Recently, while driving on the freeway The drivers B pillar, came off and was only held on by the wires for the keyless entry. While driving on the freeway, I had to hold the B pillar until I could get off the freeway.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Flex. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V732000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available.
No accident has occurred. Though potential for accident for battery faulty/ electrical failure. The panel (B?) On the driver door with the keypad gets water when it rains and is constantly on. This is affecting the battery causing high density corrosion the connection points. The keypad is constantly on and no longer functions.
What is on file about the body and structure, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V732000 HighOct 24, 2025 · 92,347 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
NHTSA investigation
- PE25007 B-Pillar Trim Detachmentopened Aug 7, 2025 · closed Aug 5, 2026
- On August 7, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25007 to investigate instances of B-pillar trim detachment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Flex vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. During the investigation, MY 2011-2018 Ford Flex vehicles were analyzed as peer vehicles, and subsequently incorporated into the subject population because they use B-pillar trim pieces that a…
Other systems with a record on the Ford Flex
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Flex problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Flex years have the most body and structure complaints?
2019, 58; 2018, 18; 2016, 9. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (27%).
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the Ford Flex?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 25V732000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the Ford Flex?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 62,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 40,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.