FordFlex2016Overview/ford/flex/2016/base/

2016 Ford Flex

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Flex.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Ford Flex is an SUV equipped with an S6 automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16/22/18 mpg. It has accumulated 90 total owner complaints and three recalls, with back over prevention standing out as the primary issue area. When contextualized within the model's 2009-2019 complaint history, this positions the 2016 Flex well below the troubled 2013 peak of 578 complaints, meaning it represents a relatively stable point in the vehicle's lifecycle even if it doesn't match the lowest complaint count of 40 achieved by the 2017 model year.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 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 / combined16 / 22 / 18 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.

6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2016 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 80W-90 · GL-5 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 Capacity11.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.75-1.2
Engine Coolant Capacity13.2 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity13.0-14.0
Power Steering FluidATF

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 Capacity2.44 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.44 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 Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (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 2016 Ford Flex sits in a favorable position within the generation's complaint arc, which peaked dramatically in 2013 with 578 complaints and 6 recalls. By 2016, complaints had fallen to 90—a 64% drop from the previous year and the second-lowest count before a later uptick in 2019—while recalls decreased to 3 from 4 in both 2014 and 2015. The high TSB count of 85 for 2016, the highest in the entire record, indicates that Ford issued numerous service bulletins but that these did not translate into a proportional number of customer complaints or safety actions. The top complaint areas are Back Over Prevention (12) and Suspension (9), but with only 4 crash complaints and zero fire reports, the safety profile is relatively clean. Compared to the troubled 2013 model and the rising complaints of 2019, the 2016 model year represents a low point in reported issues, making it a good year to buy—provided you confirm that any TSB-related updates have been applied by a dealer.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
85
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
90
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 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 90 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Back Over Prevention12
Suspension9
Electrical System8
Unknown Or Other8
Power Train6
Steering5
Electrical System,Back Over Prevention5
Seat Belts3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V925000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 22/12/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may…

20V072000Suspension:RearReported 10/02/2020

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 85 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
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…
TSB 24-21652024-05-27Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS…

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

Does the 2016 Flex have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Flex get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.