MKX (2nd)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Lincoln MKX Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
GTDI
2.7L 6-cyl Turbo / 335 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.7L TIVCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing)
3.7L 6-cyl / 303 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln MKX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX
On a used 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (80), the electrical system (47) and the engine (45). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 80 owner complaints on the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX about the brakes.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (9)
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. 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 deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Show 4 older recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended. Vehicles with shorter door striker bolts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components" potentially resulting in the doors opening in the event of a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX complaints?
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the engine.
Is the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX have?
NHTSA has 239 owner complaints on file for the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lincoln MKX?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the MKX?
The 2018 Lincoln MKX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 239 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.