How long did the Ford Flex last?
The Ford Flex was a crossover SUV produced by Ford Motor Company from 2008 to 2019. Despite its unique and distinctive design, the Flex had a relatively short lifespan, with production ending after just 11 years.
The Rise and Fall of the Ford Flex
The Ford Flex was introduced in 2008 as a 2009 model year vehicle. It was designed to fill a gap in Ford's lineup, offering a larger and more versatile alternative to the traditional minivan. The Flex's boxy, retro-inspired styling was a departure from the more conventional SUV designs of the time, and it quickly gained a loyal following among consumers who appreciated its unique look and spacious interior.
However, the Flex's sales never quite lived up to Ford's expectations. Despite positive reviews and a relatively long production run, the Flex struggled to gain traction in the highly competitive crossover SUV market. By the mid-2010s, sales had declined significantly, and Ford ultimately decided to discontinue the model after the 2019 model year.
Reasons for the Ford Flex's Short Lifespan
There are several factors that contributed to the Ford Flex's relatively short lifespan:
- Changing consumer preferences: As the popularity of traditional SUVs and crossovers continued to grow, the Flex's boxy, minivan-like design became less appealing to many buyers.
- Lack of marketing and promotion: Ford was criticized for not doing enough to promote the Flex and differentiate it from other crossover models in its lineup.
- Competition from other models: The Flex faced stiff competition from other popular crossover SUVs, such as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, which offered similar functionality and features at a lower price point.
- Declining sales: As sales of the Flex continued to decline, Ford likely saw less value in continuing to invest in the model, leading to its eventual discontinuation.
Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Ford Flex remains a unique and memorable vehicle in the history of the crossover SUV market. Its distinctive design and spacious interior made it a favorite among a certain segment of consumers, but ultimately, it was unable to overcome the changing preferences and competitive landscape of the automotive industry.
What is the most common problem with the Ford Flex?
Top Ford Flex Problems
- Broken Center Console Latch. 102 people have reported this.
- Brake Noise – Front Grunting / Grinding. 78 people have reported this.
- Transmission (Red) or Power Transfer Unit (PTU) (Brown) Fluid Leaks at Axle Area.
- A/C Fan Speed Changing Constantly.
- Rear Brakes Drag, Make Rhythmic Sound.
How many miles will a Ford Flex last?
around 200,000 miles
Typically, you can expect a Ford Flex to last around 200,000 miles with excellent care, according to carparts.com. Making it to this age requires care and maintenance on your end, along with excellent driving. Of course, there will always be some factors that are more out of your control than others.
Do Ford Flex have transmission problems?
Common Ford Flex Transmission Problems
There are a number of design flaws in this transmission, and any one of them could be causing these symptoms. Another common problem is overheating. This happens when the moving parts inside the transmission are creating more friction heat than the ATF can remove.
What is considered high mileage for a Ford?
A solid range to buy a Ford F-150 is between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. However, this is only an estimation. Ford pickup trucks are built as robust as possible. This quality build helps them travel well-over 100,000 miles.
What are the issues with Ford Flex?
Top Ford Flex Problems
- Broken Center Console Latch. 103 people have reported this.
- Brake Noise – Front Grunting / Grinding. 78 people have reported this.
- Transmission (Red) or Power Transfer Unit (PTU) (Brown) Fluid Leaks at Axle Area.
- A/C Fan Speed Changing Constantly.
- Rear Brakes Drag, Make Rhythmic Sound.
Is the Ford Flex a reliable car?
The Ford Flex has received middle to high reliability scores on major review sites. RepairPal gives it a decent 3.5 out of 5.0 rating, ranking it 7th out of 8 in its class. The Ford Flex has a fairly average annual ownership cost of $713. With proper maintenance, you can easily put 200,000 miles on your Ford Flex.
Why did Ford discontinue Ford Flex?
The Flex was discontinued in 2019, yes, but it was due to poor sales. Ford wanted to sell 100K a year, and never even broke 40K.
Is Ford Flex expensive to repair?
The average annual repair cost for a Ford is $775, which means it has above average ownership costs. The other factors that contribute to Ford reliability include an average of 0.3 visits to a repair shop per year and a 15% probability of a repair being severe.
What years are best for Ford Flex?
If you go with the Ford Flex, we recommend picking the 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019 years for your driveway. They have the fewest issues and the least customer complaints on the internet.
Will the Ford Flex become collectible?
11, 2009 – From America's new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).
