Lincoln MKX years to avoid (and the best years)
799 NHTSA owner complaints and 20 recalls across 9 model years, 2010 to 2018. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 799complaints
- 20recalls
- 35reported crashes
- 10reported fires
- 17reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Lincoln MKX years should you avoid?
No Lincoln MKX model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Lincoln MKX year has 84 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2013 (163), 2016 (155) and 2011 (149).
What are the best Lincoln MKX years?
The Lincoln MKX years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2015 (19), 2018 (31) and 2014 (35). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 31 | 0.4× | 5 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 52 | 0.6× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 155 | 1.8× | 7 | 6 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2015 | 19 | 0.2× | 0 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 35 | 0.4× | 1 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2013 | 163 | 1.9× | 1 | 7 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2012 | 84 | 1.0× | 1 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2011 | 149 | 1.8× | 3 | 6 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2010 | 111 | 1.3× | 7 | 9 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 263 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Brakes61 (23%)
- Airbags & seat belts55 (21%)
- Engine & powertrain51 (19%)
- Electrical & infotainment51 (19%)
- Structure & body25 (10%)
Recalls (20)
Brakes · 25V544000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V158000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21E013000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2010
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V081000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2010
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Brakes · 20V469000 · Aug 2020 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V414000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 19V809000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2016, 2017
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Steering · 19V632000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2016
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V001000 · Jan 2019 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 18V612000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.
Electrical system · 18V548000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V046000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V123000 · Feb 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 16V384000 · May 2016 · model year 2010
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 16V343000 · May 2016 · model year 2016
An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fuel system · 15V712000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2010
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 14V393000 · Jul 2014 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Electrical system · 11V128000 · Feb 2011 · model year 2011
IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Structure · 10V659000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2011
IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.
Safety · 10V516000 · Oct 2010 · model year 2011
THE LIFTGATE LOCK MAY BE DISABLED AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LOCK THE LIFTGATE USING INTERIOR LOCK SWITCHES OR REMOTE KEY FOB BUTTONS.