Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 8 | 26% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 31% | 75,000 miles |
| 2016 | 56 | 36% | 64,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 29% | 57,000 miles |
| 2013 | 66 | 40% | 92,000 miles |
| 2012 | 33 | 39% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 30 | 20% | 89,000 miles |
| 2010 | 24 | 22% | 102,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 17% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 18 | 7% | 110,000 miles |
| 2007 | 17 | 6% | 115,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Was advised by a law enforcement officer the high-mount stop lamp lens had detatched from the lamp housing. Apparently, the adhesive holding the plastic lens had deteriorated and allowed seperation of the components. The LED circuit board is now exposed to the elements. This without a doubt will cause the CHMSL to fail due to water and salt intrusion. Additionally, the non-diffused LED's are blinding drivers behind this vehicle at night. This failure occurred on the highway, and the lens nearly struck a car behind me.
The contact's husband owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was soft and spongy. In addition, the service brake warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, and the vehicle rolled forward before coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was driven to the residence of a friend. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor to stop the vehicle. The contact's friend, who was an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined there was failure with rear passenger's side brake hose. The contact was informed that the rear passenger's side brake hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be manually raised to the normal upright position. Upon visual inspection, the contact observed brake fluid leaking from the rear brake lines underneath the vehicle. The brake fluid warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the passenger's side rear brake hose had ruptured. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure later occurred on the driver's side rear brake hose. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V469000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. …
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while pulling into the ATM at approximately 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then driven to an independent mechanic, and was diagnosed with brake failure. The mechanic determined that the rear passenger's side brake hose had ruptured, and the rear driver's side brake hose needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced both rear brake hoses, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the brake fluid reservoir was refilled, and days later, the low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. Most recently, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it rolled away. The vehicle was parked and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The local dealer was not contacted. …
In 2021 I took vehicle in for intermittent soft brakes where the pedal would suddenly sink to the floor. Dealer replaced brake booster under warranty. Issue was still intermittent and 2 months into driving after the booster was replaced I suddenly lost all brakes. Took vehicle to dealer and now I am out of warranty and they claim there is a bad Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) for the ABS system. Said there's nothing they can do and it's a separate issue even though it's the same issue they failed to correct previously. The part number is DT4Z-2C215-A. I believe this is a replacement part for the obsolete BT4Z-2C215-A. The dealer is now quoting me $2000 for the fox and said it's very common issue. Looking at other safety bulletins the year of my vehicle wasn't included and believe it was either cut off at 2010/2011's. …
In 2021 had an issue with brakes failing and becoming unresponsive/difficult to press almost causing a crash. Vehicle was inspected and the dealer replaced the brake booster and a vaccum line. This didn't fix the issue. Recently had the same problem occur again where the brakes are intermittent and sometimes become soft and sink to the floor while driving. Apparently a bunch of people have been having this issue and the fix for it is to put your vehicle into reverse going 20mph and to slam on the brakes several times until the brakes become firm. Apparently there must be an issue with the ABS/HCU having a valve stick. Have seen Ford and Lincoln recall older cars up to 2010 in the past few years for DOT 3 causing corrosion to cause valve in HCU to stick. Remedy had dealer flush DOT 3 brake fluid and put DOT 4 and change HCU and master cylinder cap to say DOT 4 fluid. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Service brakes
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln MKX years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (66), 2016 (56), 2012 (33), 2011 (30) and 2010 (24) model years. Brake complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Lincoln MKX brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 25V-544 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Aug 22, 2025); 20V-469 (service brakes, Aug 10, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln MKX brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (3 mentions), followed by the power assist › electric › control module (3).
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.