Lincoln MKX reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 800 complaints about the Lincoln MKX with NHTSA since 2010, most often about brakes and electrical system. Lincoln has filed 2 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns for it, and there are 20 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Lincoln MKX? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the MKX a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 800
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Lincoln
- Service campaigns
- 4
- Filed by Lincoln
- Safety recalls
- 20
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the MKX with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 31 | Other or unspecified (26%) | 5 | 2 |
| 2017 | 52 | Electrical system (25%) | 5 | 2 |
| 2016 | 156 | Brakes (25%) | 7 | 2 |
| 2015 | 19 | Other or unspecified (32%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 35 | Brakes (29%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | 163 | Brakes (37%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 | 84 | Brakes (31%) | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 | 149 | Electrical system (28%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2010 | 111 | Airbags (49%) | 6 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single MKX model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Lincoln
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Lincoln filed with NHTSA for the MKX, in its own words. A warranty extension means Lincoln pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionNov 2023· Brakes· model years 2010–2014
Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX Vehicles - Extended Warranty Coverage on Brake Booster
- Warranty extensionMar 2012· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011–2012
Ford/lincoln: Warranty extension has been provided for certain model vehicles with accessory protocol interface module (apim or SYNC module) to 4 (four) years on ford and 5 (five) years on lincoln vehicles regardless of mileage and subsequent owners are automatically covered.
- Service campaignSep 2026· Brakes· model years 2016–2018
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N13 Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge and 2016-2018 Model Year MKX Vehicles Rear Brake Flexible Hose Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2015–2020
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignDec 2019· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2011–2014
Customer Satisfaction Program 19N09 Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX and 2013-2014 Model Year Explorer, Flex, and MKT Vehicles Left Front Door Latch Extended Coverage
- Service campaignJan 2011· Electrical system· model years 2011
Software update.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every MKX model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Brakes186 (23%)
- Electrical system143 (18%)
- Engine106 (13%)
- Other or unspecified101 (13%)
- Transmission and drivetrain70 (9%)
- Brakes63 (8%)
- Airbags60 (8%)
- Body and structure39 (5%)
Safety recalls
20 recalls cover at least one MKX model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute…
The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
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 can result in either inadvertent…
The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever…
These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended.
The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module.
Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln…
An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position.
And 5 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2015–2017
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 Lincoln MKX has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Lincoln MKX reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 800 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns Lincoln filed, and 20 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (163), 2016 (156), 2011 (149). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Lincoln MKX?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name brakes (23%), electrical system (18%), engine (13%). Lincoln has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the MKX, listed on this page.
Which MKX model years have the most complaints?
2013 (163), 2016 (156), 2011 (149). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the MKX with each other rather than with other models.
Has Lincoln extended the warranty on the MKX?
Yes: brakes (model years 2010–2014); equipment and accessories (model years 2011–2012). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a MKX?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 20 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.