Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Lincoln MKX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
First incident 10-15-2019 (purchased used vehicle 09-30-19) Exiting freeway at 55mph and suddenly brakes stopped working( was able to pull aside) then brakes worked normal again. Took vehicle to check breaks and nothing wrong was found. Second incident 02-17-2020 Driving son to school at 35mhp brakes stopped working while doing a right turn and ran over sidewalk to avoid hitting vehicle in front. Bumper got a little damage. Brakes check again and nothing was found. Third incident 05-15-2022 Driving at 55mph on road and brakes stopped working before trying to stop at red light. Hit cement in middle of the road to avoid crashing. Used emergency brake and Bumper was scratched. Turn on and off truck and brakes work normal again. June 22-2022 Took to mechanic after being inspected at several places and found nothing wrong. Replaced brakes, Front shocks and fluid. …
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that at start-up of the vehicle, the brake pedal would intermittently depress to the floorboard without warning. Additionally, there was an abnormal high-pitched sound coming from the brake booster. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that no fault had been found with his brakes upon inspection. As the intermittent failure persisted, the contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the vehicle was placed under recall for the brake booster. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for the 10 years/100,000-mile recall repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated that she had to apply added pressure to the brake pedal causing the brake pedal to extend to the floorboard before the vehicle glide to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake booster had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that Customer Satisfaction Program: 13N02 had expired. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal depressed and went to the floorboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the brake booster was repaired in August 2020 under a Customer Satisfaction Program. The failure mileage was 70,740. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the brake pedal became stiff while being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,658.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake needed to be serviced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,400.
Twice while at a stop light with my foot on the brakes because of an incline, the engine sped up like it was grasping for air and the engine shut down. It started back each time, but the second time, my engine light came on. I called AAA since I am a member and went there for the repair. They diagnosed it as a brake booster problem and printed a copy of the Ford document sent to all US Ford and Lincoln Dealers regarding Customer Satisfaction Program 13N02, supplements 2 & 3. AAA suggested I take it to a Ford/Lincoln dealer and have the repair made under the recall. However, when I contacted Ford/Lincoln, they declined to even look at my car and said the recall was VIN specific and my car was not listed. Interestingly at the dealer and when I called and talked to several people at Ford and then Lincoln, they all asked my mileage. …
Brake pedal will go all the way to floor. Very soft pedal. For over a year we have talked to the dealers around Home. They all say Ford and Lincoln don't have a problem. I talked to Lincoln concierge and she said if it became a safety issue to contact a dealer. It was still on the csp recall at the time. But I was told it expired. I paid to get the car worked on and had a pedal again. Now it's back to the floor. Backing up a lot and putting on brakes doesn't help this time. Now ford says yes they had a problem but it expired a year ago. I don't drive this car every day. It now has 70700 miles. It had 52000 when I bought it 3 years ago. But to me brakes are important. I had to stop quickly in traffic and stopped in the intersection and luckily didn't have an accident. It should be repaired without cost to me. It is a very serious problem. …
Brake pedal faded while in traffic. Was able to steer around other cars, got car to repair shop. Originally couldn't replicate issue. After attempting to drive car mechanic Was able to find problem. Diagnostic tests said master cylinder was bad. Replaced same and still had fading pedal. Diagnosed as hydraulic control unit (abs braking). Had vehicle towed to Ford Dealership for repairs. Replaced HCU no better. Then replaced flex lines at wheels, no better. Finally replaced master cylinder again, and finally fixed braking problems.
Brake complaints in other MKX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Lincoln MKX, 20% of the model year's 149 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Lincoln MKX brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, though it has 3 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 2011 Lincoln MKX brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.