Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3% | 43,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 6% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 8% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 26% | 27,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 20% | 28,000 miles |
| 2013 | 16 | 10% | 48,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 13% | 66,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 8% | 110,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% | 235,000 miles |
| 2008 | 30 | 12% | 93,000 miles |
| 2007 | 35 | 12% | 83,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
During a manufacturer-mandated software module update, North Central Ford (Plano, TX) bypassed continuous power supply safety protocols. This negligence caused a voltage drop, interrupted the software flash, and completely corrupted the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The dealership returned the vehicle to me, stating the update was complete. The corrupted module failed to power down, causing a severe parasitic drain that completely killed the battery overnight, leaving the vehicle immobilized and immune to jump-starting. The APIM is completely corrupted. The disabled vehicle was towed back to North Central Ford and remains available for immediate inspection. Safety Risks: The corrupted APIM permanently disabled the federally mandated backup camera (violating FMVSS 111) and touch-screen climate/defroster controls, creating severe rear and forward visibility hazards. …
10 miles after starting our 2017 Lincoln MKX it suddenly gave me the warning code of error: vehicle shutting down now. The car coasted across 5 lanes of speeding traffic. I almost died with our small child in the car. The car restarted fine on the side of the road. Sanderson Lincoln towed the car and did the bare minimum tests on the car per the manufacturer standards. I requested them to do more as this exact same situation has happened to other Lincoln owners multiple times in one car. There has also been a recall on this on previous years. This vehicle also had some strange acceleration issues when we initially bought it and it was dismissed by the servicer. Lincoln customer service now told us we are out of lemon law and they cannot help us. Duh. Lincoln customer service also did shady things to us. …
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that at start-up there was an abnormal sound coming the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle decelerated to approximately 25 MPH and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
I have had to replace my rear brake pads, rotors, and the whole braking system (not related to sensors) three times in a year. I received the recall notice after the third time and had a mechanic fix my brake hose as a short-term remedy for my car. Not only does my car have a delay in breaking it is a delay in the monitoring service. Technically the sounds related to my vehicle are not related to braking at all by the speed in which a car slows down before it breaks. In this case that mean if I slam on my breaks the "emergency sound" does not go off. I have a minor fender bender as well due to these two problems associated with my braking system.
Vehicle loses power, steering and braking without warning. Orange wrench alert illuminates. Car must be shut off and restarted. Very dangerous condition. Several other complaints online. This has happened twice, luckily at low speeds and little traffic.
While traveling on interstate 90 a approx 60 MPH. The vehicle started slowing down. I looked at the speedometer and it read 0. Seconds later the dash power flashed and went completely dark. I'm had absolutely no power at 60mph on an interstate. Fortunately, I was able to cruise along at make it to the next exit and stop on the side of the road. Once stopped, I took gear out of drive and put it in park. I push the start button and it started up. Fortunately, I was able to make it home but I was completely terrified that it would happen again. Soon as I made it home, I began researching Lincoln MKX to see if this has happened to anyone else. To my horror, many Lincoln MKX owners have reported the same problem. There is no recalls listed on my VIN. This vehicle is a death trap and Lincoln need to address this issue immediately. …
I parked my vehicle on a slight incline in parking lot, when shortly thereafter, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a gate. I had parked the vehicle, walked to the back of the vehicle and went inside to conduct my business. The fact that the roll back did not happen as I parked indicates that the car was properly parked. Being perplexed as to why my parked vehicle suddenly rolled back I then discovered that the Ford co. Had a recall on some of their Lincoln MKX 2014's. My vehicle May have been manufactured outside of their current recall period; however, this does not dictate that my vehicle did not experience the same malfunction. My situation matches exactly that which is described in their announcement consequence summary. I am confident that this situation is exactly as described in Ford recall 14s10/ campaign number 14V393000. However the Ford co. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKX. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway and the contact was exiting, the vehicle started to roll forward down the driveway. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained fractured ribs, collarbone injuries, and scraped knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was awaiting diagnostic testing. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln MKX years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (35), 2008 (30), 2013 (16), 2011 (12) and 2016 (12) model years. Transmission complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Lincoln MKX transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-393 (axle shaft, Jul 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln MKX transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (7 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (2).
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.