Ford Flex Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs (Complete Guide)

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover SUV that was manufactured from 2009 to 2019

In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of its maintenance, tune-up and running costs.

Table of Contents

Here is the short answer to are Ford Flex expensive to maintain:

The Ford Flex has above average maintenance costs. It would cost you around $713 to maintain a Ford Flex every year, which is higher than the average of $647 annually for similar models. A tune-up will be around $325, including the replacement of spark plugs.

Are Ford Flex Expensive to Maintain?

The Ford Flex isn’t the cheapest vehicle to own and maintain but it’s not extortionate by any stretch of the imagination.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.

Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.

Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Ford Flex, all data is from RepairPal:

Ford Flex Maintenance	Cost
Average annual repairs and maintenance	$713
Tune-Up Cost	$325
Alternator replacement	$535 – $585
Oil change	$130 – $145
Wiper blade replacement	$69 – $76
Air filter replacement	$44 – $63
Battery replacement	$182 – $191
New brakes	$176 – $224
Coolant change	$176 – $222
New tires (set of 4)	$656 – $768
New tire (one only)	$164 – $192
New spark plugs	$192 – $230
Tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance	$79 – $100
New transmission	$3500
Insurance	$1366 / year (average)

You may also be interested in our article: Honda Odyssey Tune-up & Maintenance Costs

How Much is a Tune-Up on a Ford Flex?

This will vary greatly depending on where you take your Ford Flex and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Ford dealership than your local mechanic.

Ford recommends having a tune-up every 5,000 miles or six months whichever comes first.

You can expect to pay in the region of $325 for a fairly comprehensive Ford Flex tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:

New spark plugs
Thorough inspection of engine components
Filters changed
Coolant flush
Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
Throttle body clean
Transmission and differential fluid change

Whilst your Ford Flex is under warranty it is advised you get it serviced at a registered Ford dealership.

Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:

They can bring more power back to your engine.
Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
Ensures long-term engine health and performance

Alternator Replacement Cost?

A new alternator on a Ford Flex will set you back between $535 – $585 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years

While the battery is used for starting your car when the engines are off, the alternator keeps your car alive when the engine is running.

The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your car while driving.

Oil Change Cost?

The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $130 – $145, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your car.

An oil change should be performed on the Ford Flex every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil.
Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)

Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?

This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this.

Most Ford Flex’s use a 24″ wiper blade on the driver’s side and 22″ on the passenger’s side.

Wiper blades for the Ford Flex can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free.

However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $69 – $76 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.

Air Filter Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Ford Flex is between $44 – $63, not including taxes and fees.

The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.

Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.

This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also.

Battery Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, the cost of a battery replacement for a Ford Flex should cost $182 – $191.

Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.

In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

To help your battery last longer:

Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your SUV can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
Limit short rides: Short rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

New Brakes Cost?

Ford Flex brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles and necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.

The average cost to replace your Ford Flex brake pads, According to RepairPal, is between $176 – $224.

Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.

Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.

Cost to Change Coolant?

If it’s just a top-up your Ford Flex requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself.

You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.

If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.

According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Ford Flex coolant change is between $176 – $222 (excluding taxes and fees).

How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?

Transmissions on the Ford Flex typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the SUV is driven.

The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a Ford Flex could be over $3500. This range may vary depending on the model year.

Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost

Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).

According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Ford Flex tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.

How much Insurance Cost?

According to insuraviz.com, the average cost of Ford Flex insurance is $114 / month or $1,366 / year (as opposed to the $1,506 national vehicle average insurance rate).

These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.

It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.
Use price comparison sites like Compare.com.
There are big discounts available for taking additional driving courses or being a senior
The best way to keep your insurance costs down is to drive safely

Ford Flex Repair Costs Compared to Similar Models

Model	Avg. Annual Repair Cost	Frequency of Unscheduled Repairs (per year)	Probability of SevereRepairs
Kia Sedona	$495	0.3	10%
Dodge Grand Caravan	$673	0.3	11%
Honda Odyssey	$547	0.5	12%
Chrysler Town & Country	$636	0.3	12%
Nissan Quest	$659	0.3	14%
Toyota Sienna	$554	0.4	15%
Ford Flex	$713	0.4	14%
Volkswagen Routan	$745	0.7	11%
Avg. Minivan	$647	0.4	12%

How Reliable is the Ford Flex Compared to Other Models?

Model	Reliability
Kia Sedona	4.0 / 5.0
Dodge Grand Caravan	4.0 / 5.0
Honda Odyssey	3.5 / 5.0
Chrysler Town & Country	3.5 / 5.0
Nissan Quest	3.5 / 5.0
Toyota Sienna	3.5 / 5.0
Ford Flex	3.5 / 5.0
Volkswagen Routan	3.5 / 5.0
Avg. Minivan	3.5

How Long is the Ford Flex Manufacturers Warranty?

When you drive your new Ford off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Ford’s factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years powertrain coverage.

This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties

You can check your vehicle warranty status, track your service history, view your Owner’s Manual and more on the Ford website. If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.

Resources

Author:

Ian Sawyer

Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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