Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Lincoln MKX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the water pump fractured and spilled water into the engine. The contact stated that "car overheating" was displayed across the message board. The check engine warning light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contacts owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shuttered and an abnormal burning odor emitted from the engine. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCM was defective and the PCM coils burned and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While driving 35 MPH, the engine caught fire. The police were not notified. A passenger extinguished the fire. The contact and the other passengers were not injured. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak. The local mechanic repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Water pump failure: Lincoln MKX 2007 driving down the road at approximately 55 MPH, car was running great as usual when suddenly I lost all power except lights. At that speed, thankfully I had enough time to get over two lanes of traffic with no power and coast off the road. I had to car towed to a local mechanic where master certified technicians are working to replace my engine. The car had just been serviced for oil change, air filter, routine maintenance two weeks prior to this engine failure. Mechanic found that the water pump failed leading to oil and coolant in the engine. This car 122,000 miles on it and has been meticulously maintained. There is a class action suit over this, but I was never notified by Ford or by my dealer (oxmoor Ford Lincoln) that there was a potential problem with the design of this engine. The water pump is inside the engine. …
When we purchased the vehicle from valley Cadillac in roanoke va in 2014. We smelled something burning a few days later. We took it back to the dealer who kept it for over a week. They told me that they would have to send it to the Ford dealer because they couldn't repair it.I was never was told what the issue was only that it cost upwards of $800. Here we are and I was stranded on i81 because the truck lost power and started vibrating . It was towed to a repair shop and I am mortified at the findings. The coil packs were bad. This is caused by the PCM computer failure.that information was not shared at time of purchase as something that needs routine maintenance.in addition, the fix was to weld a cracked and warped coil pack vs replacing it and he bad computer. Here I am $962 later and still need to replace the computer. Had this been done correctly the first time, I wouldn't be here. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle and the engine stalled. The contact was not sure exactly from where the noise originated. The failure occurred without warning. The contact noticed fuel pouring out onto the road along with all the other fluids. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (dave sinclair Lincoln south, 7500 s lindbergh blvd, st. Louis, mo 63125) where it was diagnosed that the entire undercarriage had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the entire undercarriage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer stated that if there were a lot of complaints, there could be a possibility to have open recalls for the failure. A case number was not provided. …
Our vehicle was involved in a rear end crash while stopped at a pedestrian cross walk. The visual damage to our Lincoln MKX was the exhaust system and rear bumper. The non-visual damage was the brake power booster. The power surge from the rear end impact while the brakes were engaged caused the brake power booster to fail. Both my mechanic and the local Ford dealer confirm that the failure of the brake system was caused by the damage related to the rear end impact in the accident. The local Ford dealer has seen multiple vehicles brake power boosters fail due to rear end collisions yet the insurance company denied my claim for repair to this system. The failure of this system is a very hazardous condition as it is extremely difficult to brake the vehicle with out this system working correctly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle began to vibrate and hesitate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (hemstead Ford/Lincoln located in hemstead, new york) where it was diagnosed that the number one injector was misfiring and the connector wire was replaced. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure suddenly recurred before the engine stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the number six coil, spark plug, and the main computer processor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 174,000.
While driving on interstate I-10 at posted speeds, the engine began to sputter, lose acceleration and the check engine light appeared, the car was driven off the freeway (less than 1/8 mile) to the closest safe area. The car was then towed to the mechanic. An ignition coil was burned and the PCM/processor had failed. All 6 coils were replaced as well as the PCM following TSB 14-0059, after the PCM and coils were replaced, a check engine light still appeared indicating failure of the rear catalytic converter. At the time of the incident, mileage was approx. 71,195 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKX. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, coils, and PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who replaced the coils and spark plugs, but the PCM was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,600.
Engine complaints in other MKX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Lincoln MKX, 7% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Lincoln MKX engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Lincoln MKX, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Lincoln MKX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.