34/100

2018Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDRegular

2018 Ford Flex AWD

EPA ID: 38860

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City MPG

Combined MPG

18MPG· Below Avg

Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2018 Ford Flex AWD achieves an EPA-estimated 18 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (s6), this standard sport utility vehicle 4wd features All-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2018 Flex AWD produces approximately 494 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Flex AWD has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $3,300, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $5,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Fuel TypeRegular

Engine3.5L 6-cyl

AspirationNaturally Aspirated

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions494 g/mi

Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped

GHG Score3/10

Smog RatingN/A

Est. Annual Cost$3,300

5-Year Cost DeltaSave $5,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG

18.2

Impact vs EPA

$-38

/ year

💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost

$746/mo

Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.

Annual Mileage15,000 mi

Value Depreciation

Est. value lost over 60 months

$18,900

42.2%

Fuel & Electricity

Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)

$14,583

32.6%

Estimated Insurance

Based on vehicle class risk profile

$10,875

24.3%

State Registration Fees

Based on National Average DMV base rates

$400

0.9%

Total 5-Year Cost$44,758

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #25V695000·2026-01-02

critical

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Campaign #20V072000·2020-10-28

critical

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR

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 rear suspension.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

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 March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

Campaign #25V732000·

critical

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence & Remedy

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

98.8 metric tons CO₂

Equivalent To:

🌳 122 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs

✈️ 8.2 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.