Service bulletins for the 2016 Ford Flex
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
87 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
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Only bulletins with component: Equipment and accessories are shown. Show all
| SSM 46860 | 2017-12-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Some 2016-2018 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode. This is due to the power saving features enabled while in transport mode and is beneficial for battery life to keep the vehicle in transport mode until the vehicle is prepped for sale. To prevent a SYNC system lockup during transport mode deactivation, follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure allowing time for the SYNC system to complete all tasks such as fully booting up or powering down and shutting off before moving to the next step of the procedure. If the vehicle exhibits a blank screen or SYNC symptoms after transport mode deactivation, refer to WSM, Section 415-00 for normal diagnosis. The SYNC version can be confirmed via OASIS. |
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| SSM 46703 | 2017-08-25. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Some 2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Escape/MKC/Fusion/MKZ/Flex/MKT/Mondeo/Kuga/EcoSport AWD vehicles where diagnosis leads to a RDU clutch issue, a rear drive unit (RDU) service kit is available. Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) in the parts catalog to look for base part 4A232. If clutch assembly (base 4A232) is not listed in the catalog, this message does not apply. For vehicle repairs refer to updated Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-02 on ATC clutch repairs. Use causal part 4A232 or equivalent and applicable labor operations. |
| SSM 46073 | 2017-08-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some 2016-2017 Escape, MKC, Fiesta, F150, Expedition, Navigator, Mustang, Transit, Focus, C-Max, MKX, Taurus, MKS, Flex, MKT, and Edge and 2017 Explorer, Fusion, MKZ, Super Duty, Transit Connect and Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 might exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in Transport mode. Engineering is aware of this possibility and it is considered normal due to the power saving features enabled while in transportation mode. It is beneficial to extended battery life to keep the vehicle in Transport Mode until the vehicle is prepped for sale. If the vehicle should exhibit a blank screen or other SYNC symptoms after it has been taken out of Transport mode, refer to Workshop Manual, Section 415-00 for normal diagnosis. The SYNC version can be confirmed via OASIS. |
| SSM 46522 | 2017-08-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT. 2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police/Continental vehicles equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine, all wheel drive (AWD) and a power transfer unit (PTU) that is being repaired or replaced for an internal failure must also have the vent hose replaced due to contamination in the hose. |
| TSB 17-2068 | 2017-08-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM. Some 2016-2017 Edge, Escape, Expedition, Fiesta, Flex, MKC, MKT, MKX, Mustang, Navigator and Taurus or 2017 Explorer and Super Duty vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 and built on 1-Jul-2015 and through 31-Dec-2016 may exhibit a SYNC display message of Please check your surroundings for safety along with no rear view camera image when in reverse gear. This will occur only at ambient temperatures ranging from -5 Å'C to 5 Å'C (23 Å'F to 41 Å'F). This maybe due to a temperature dependent issue within the APIM crystal oscillator circuitry. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition. |
| SSM 46412 | 2017-03-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE. SOME 2007-2016 EDGE/MKX/FLEX/MKT/MKZ/MKS/TAURUS/TAURUS POLICE/EXPLORER/EXPLORER POLICE EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 30-JUN-2016 MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVELINE AREA. TO IDENTIFY THIS NOISE, REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 100-04, AND FOLLOW THE SYMPTOM CHART. IF THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE IS IDENTIFIED AS THE PTU AND/OR INTERNAL TO THE PTU, DISASSEMBLE PTU ASSEMBLY. REFER TO UPDATED WSM, SECTION 308-07. IF THE PTU IS DETERMINED TO BE REPAIRABLE, UTILIZE KIT GB5Z-7P258-A AND THE INCLUDED INSTRUCTION SHEET. FOR CLAIMING, USE CAUSAL PART 7P258 AND APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS IN SECTION 07 OF THE SERVICE LABOR TIME STANDARDS (SLTS) MANUAL. |
| SSM 46332 | 2017-03-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. REPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET SYNC/NAVIGATION KIT OR MODIFYING ORIGINAL SYNC/NAVIGATION PARTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEATURES IS NOT RECOMMENDED NOR SUPPORTED ON ANY FORD, MERCURY OR LINCOLN VEHICLE. ONLY APPROVED GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES OR ORIGINALLY INSTALLED SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED AND CERTIFIED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY WITH OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. IF YOU SUSPECT A SYSTEM HAS BEEN MODIFIED, THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES CAN BE USED TO VERIFY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT: MONRONEY LABEL (WINDOW STICKER), PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN SOCIETY (PTS) OASIS TAB SELECT SYNC OR HVBOM. FOR GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES USE: PTS WORKSHOP TAB SELECT DEALER INSTALLED ACCESSORY OR ACCESSORY INSTALLATION. |
| SSM 46283 | 2017-03-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SOME OWNERS OF 2016 FORD AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC 3 MAY INQUIRE ABOUT UPGRADING TO APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO. THIS UPGRADE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE VEHICLES. APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC 3 V2.0 OR LATER. THIS UPGRADE FOR 2016 FORD AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2017. THE SYNC VERSION CAN BE CONFIRMED VIA OASIS. MONITOR OASIS FOR FUTURE UPDATES. |
| SSM 45918 | 2017-02-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SOME 2016-2017 FORD/LINCOLN VEHICLES WITH SYNC 3 MAY SEE A NAVIGATION FAULT MESSAGE APPEAR ON THE MAP ON THE HOME SCREEN OR A SYSTEM LOCK UP WHEN THE PHONE IS CONNECTED. APPLINK MAYBE INOPERATIVE, OR THE SYSTEM MAY PERFORM RANDOM REBOOTS DURING AN IGNITION CYCLE WITH THE PHONE CONNECTED. DETERMINE IF THE CUSTOMER HAS AN ANDROID PHONE WITH THE BASEBALL APPLICATION MLB.COM AT BAT INSTALLED. IF THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT HAVE THIS APPLICATION LOADED THEN PROCEED TO THE WSM, SECTION 415-00 FOR NORMAL DIAGNOSIS. IF THE CUSTOMER DOES HAVE THIS APPLICATION LOADED VERIFY IF THE VERSION IS 5.1.3 OR LOWER ON THE ANDROID PHONE. IF THE ANDROID PHONE WITH MLB.COM AT BAT HAS VERSION 5.1.3 OR LOWER PLEASE RECOMMEND THAT THEY UPDATE THEIR APP TO VERSION 5.2 OR HIGHER AND RETEST FOR THE CUSTOMER SYMPTOM. THE SYNC VERSION CAN BE CONFIRMED VIA OASIS. |
| SSM 45917 | 2017-02-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SOME 2016-2017 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC 3 MAY EXPERIENCE THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS; THE GPS NOT TRACKING THE VEHICLE POSITION CORRECTLY, THE VEHICLE LOCATION ARROW ICON SPINNING IN CIRCLES ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN OR A SPINNING COMPASS ON NON-NAVIGATION VEHICLES. PERFORM THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO RESOLVE. ENTER BEZEL DIAGNOSTICS PER WORK SHOP MANUAL (WSM) SECTION 415-00. SELECT TESTING SETTINGS FROM THE MENU. SCROLL DOWN AND PRESS CLEAR DR CALIB. PERFORM A DRIVE TEST FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, INCLUDE AT LEAST FOUR RIGHT TURNS AND FOUR LEFT TURNS WITH A VEHICLE SPEED OF AT LEAST 25 MPH. CONFIRM THAT GPS POSITION FOR NAVIGATION OR THE COMPASS FOR NON-NAVIGATION VEHICLES IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ENGINEERING IS AWARE OF THIS CONCERN. THE SYNC VERSION CAN BE CONFIRMED VIA OASIS. MONITOR OASIS FOR FUTURE UPDATES. |
| SSM 45916 | 2017-02-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. SOME 2016 FORD AND LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC 3 AND NAVIGATION ALONG WITH A VALID PAID SUBSCRIPTION TO SIRIUS TRAVEL LINK MAY NOT DISPLAY SIRIUS TRAVEL LINK FUEL PRICES. REPLACING COMPONENTS WILL NOT RESOLVE THE CONDITION AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME. ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING. IN THE INTERIM, THE FOLLOWING STEPS WILL RESET THE SYSTEM. POSITION THE VEHICLE OUTDOORS IN OPEN SKY. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR 5 MINUTES. RECONNECT THE BATTERY AND START THE VEHICLE. SELECT SIRIUS TRAVEL LINK THEN FUEL PRICES. FUEL PRICE INFORMATION MAY NOT DISPLAY FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM IS UPDATING. THE SYNC VERSION CAN BE CONFIRMED VIA OASIS. MONITOR OASIS FOR FUTURE UPDATES. |
| 16B32-S1 | 2017-02-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. CERTAIN 2015 MODEL YEAR EDGE, 2015-2016 MODEL YEAR F-150, MKT, AND POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDAN, AND 2016 MODEL YEAR ESCAPE, EXPLORER, FLEX, FUSION, MKX, MUSTANG, POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY, TAURUS, AND TRANSIT VEHICLES - ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT |
| TSB-16-0093 | 2016-09-24. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SOME 2016 F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, TRANSIT, EDGE, FLEX AND EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L TWIN INDEPENDENT VARIABLE CAM TIMING (TI-VCT) OR A 3.5L GASOLINE TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI) ENGINE WITH LESS THAN 3200 KM (2000 MILES) MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0011, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021 AND/OR P0025 STORED IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MEMORY. |
| SSM-45809 | 2016-08-30. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SYNC 3 ACCESSORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE (APIM) DTCS U3000 OR B108E OR U1A00 |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.