Lincoln MKX Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln MKX model year from 2007–2018 using 1,417 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 22 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2016 and 2013, which drew far more complaints than other MKX years at the same age. The best years are 2015, 2014 and 2009.

12model years
1,417complaints
22recalls
2016, 2013worst years
2015, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018298253661111498416335191565231
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln MKX. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201831−43%5BrakeGood
201752−34%5BrakeAverage
20161561.6×7BrakeCaution
201519−80%—EngineGood
201435−64%1BrakeGood
20131631.5×1BrakeCaution
201284−20%1BrakeAverage
20111491.4×3ElectricalAverage
2010111typical6AirbagAverage
200966−57%6AirbagGood
2008253typical6AirbagAverage
20072981.4×5AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median MKX year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln MKX problems

Latest Lincoln MKX recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 25V-544 · Aug 22, 2025 · 499,129 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-158 · Mar 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 21V-081 · Feb 16, 2021 · 1,067 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.

Service brakes

NHTSA recall 20V-469 · Aug 10, 2020 · 488,594 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021.

Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust

NHTSA recall 20V-414 · Jul 17, 2020 · 19,299 vehicles

Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which…

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of…

All 22 Lincoln MKX recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln MKX should you avoid?

2016 and 2013 — these years have the most complaints relative to other MKX years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2016.

What is the best year for the Lincoln MKX?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other MKX years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2009. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln MKX problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (410), brakes (290) and electrical system (178). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln MKX had?

22 recalls across 2007–2018. The model year with the most is 2016. See all Lincoln MKX recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.