FordFlex2015Overview/ford/flex/2015/base/

2015 Ford Flex

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Flex.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Ford Flex is an SUV equipped with a 6.0‑quart, 5W‑30 oil system and a six‑speed automatic transmission that returns EPA estimates of 17 city/23 highway/19 combined mpg; it logged 100 owner complaints, the most common being back‑over prevention, and was subject to four recalls. Across the 2009‑2019 model run, complaint volume peaked at 578 in 2013 and bottomed out at 40 in 2017, positioning the 2015 model year nearer the lower‑complaint end of the spectrum and indicating relatively better reliability than the early years.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55R19OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4839 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Flex of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2013 Limited 3.5L EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Limited 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.70 sec365 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.20 sec365 hpAWD
2010SEL 3.5L EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2009Limited 3.5L V68.40 sec16.40 sec262 hpAWD
2009SEL 3.5L V68.40 sec16.40 sec262 hpAWD
2009Limited 3.5L V69.00 sec16.80 sec262 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 80W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity13.6
Engine Coolant Capacity13.0-14.0
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission18.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity37-40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity7.4-8.5 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-67 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 26 /; Front: 13 inch; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 111 /; Front: 122; Rear: 76
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 13; Front: 14; Rear: 13; Rear: 14
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-18

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
236.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
336.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
436.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
790 degrees; Bolts 19-2290 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Ford Flex arrives during a period of declining complaints following a significant generation peak of 578 complaints and 6 recalls in 2013. With 100 complaints and 4 recalls, the 2015 model shows a marked improvement over the 248 complaints recorded for 2014. Primary complaint areas for 2015 include Back Over Prevention (21), Steering (16), and the Fuel/Propulsion System (12), although the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. While there were no reported crash complaints for this year, there were 2 reported fire complaints. With 54 TSBs, this year remains stable compared to the higher volumes of technical bulletins seen in 2016 and 2017. Given the significant downward trend in complaints relative to the mid-generation spike, this is a good year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
54
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
100
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 100 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Back Over Prevention21
Steering16
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Unknown Or Other10
Suspension7
Electrical System5
Power Train5
Power Train,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 25/08/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

15V464000Parking BrakeReported 24/07/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 54 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523142024-03-01Power TrainDuring service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Flex. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Flex take?

6.0 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil; Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil XO-5W30-QSP; CXO-5W30-LSP12, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Flex have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Flex get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.