Lincoln MKX: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Lincoln MKX years to approach with the most caution are 2016. The strongest years in our data are 2017 and 2018. Below is every model year we cover (2007–2018), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Lincoln MKX year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2018 Recommended 7 Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.; Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.; Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall. Full report ↗
2017 Recommended 7 Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.; Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.; Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 6 Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.; Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.; MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators. Full report ↗
2010 Caution 6 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.; Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.; Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars. Full report ↗
2009 Caution 6 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.; Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.; Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 5 Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.; Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.; MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators. Full report ↗
2012 Caution 5 Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.; Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.; MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators. Full report ↗
2016 Avoid 4 Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.; Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.; Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall. Full report ↗
2013 Caution 4 Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.; Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.; MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators. Full report ↗
2011 Caution 4 Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.; Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.; MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators. Full report ↗
2008 Caution 4 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.; Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.; Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars. Full report ↗
2007 Caution 4 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.; Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.; Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars. Full report ↗

Lincoln MKX problems by year

2018 Lincoln MKX Recommended

The cleanest, most refined MKX before it became the Nautilus; J.D. Power rated it well and complaints are minimal. A solid used luxury crossover if maintenance is documented.

  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.
  • Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.
  • Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall.

2017 Lincoln MKX Recommended

Second-generation sorted out: far fewer complaints, refined and quiet with Sync 3 and a strong optional EcoBoost V6. Just confirm the water-pump and any open recalls are addressed.

  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.
  • Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.
  • Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall.

2016 Lincoln MKX Avoid

All-new second-generation launch year and the worst MKX: engine stall/throttle-body recall, internal water-pump failures, oil consumption and the most recalls of any year.

  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.5L/3.7L V6 (the pump is chain-driven inside the engine); seal and bearing wear let coolant leak into the oil with little warning, risking sudden overheating, stalling and major engine damage.
  • Engine stall and loss of acceleration on early-build 2016 cars, traced to a faulty throttle body that could drop the engine to low idle or shut it off while driving; addressed by a Ford recall.
  • Brake complaints including soft pedal and longer stopping distances, plus a later rear brake-hose recall.

2015 Lincoln MKX Caution

The most settled first-generation year: fewest complaints and matured infotainment, though high repair costs and the water-pump risk keep it short of a clean recommendation.

  • Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.
  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.
  • MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators.

2014 Lincoln MKX Caution

Calmer than 2013 but still a 3.7L with water-pump and AWD PTU watch-items and an aging MyLincoln Touch; a sound buy only with maintenance records.

  • Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.
  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.
  • MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators.

2013 Lincoln MKX Caution

Worst of the facelift years for brakes: soft/dropping pedal from ABS-module and HCU leaks lead the complaints, alongside MFT electrical faults and water-pump risk.

  • Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.
  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.
  • MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators.

2012 Lincoln MKX Caution

Refreshed and refined, but MyLincoln Touch glitches, brake/ABS complaints and the 3.7L water-pump weakness keep it a careful buy with a pre-purchase inspection.

  • Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.
  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.
  • MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators.

2011 Lincoln MKX Caution

Facelift brought the 3.7L V6 but also the troublesome MyLincoln Touch system; this year sees peak infotainment/electrical complaints plus internal water-pump risk.

  • Brake and ABS faults: a soft or dropping pedal traced to the ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leaks, along with brake-booster groan; reported as causing longer stopping distances.
  • Internal water-pump failure on the 3.7L V6: coolant leaks into the oil with little warning, risking overheating and major engine damage.
  • MyLincoln Touch (MFT) infotainment failures: unresponsive or frozen touchscreen, ghost button presses, and body-control-module shorts that disturb climate, wipers, lights and warning indicators.

2010 Lincoln MKX Caution

Last of the 3.5L first run and among the more dependable early years; main caveats are the completed Takata recall and rising-mileage fluid leaks.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.
  • Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.
  • Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars.

2009 Lincoln MKX Caution

One of the cleanest early years once the Takata airbag recall is confirmed done; comfortable and well-equipped, though repair costs run above class average.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.
  • Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.
  • Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars.

2008 Lincoln MKX Caution

Peak-complaint early year: Takata airbags, fuel-system leaks and transmission/PTU fluid leaks. Pleasant to drive but verify recalls and look for fluid leaks before buying.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.
  • Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.
  • Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars.

2007 Lincoln MKX Caution

First-year MKX: a comfortable Edge-based luxury crossover, but the launch year carries a fuel-tank/cabin-odor leak recall, the Takata airbag campaign and early electrical gremlins.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall (campaigns including 19V001000 and 21V158000) dominates the complaint record for these years; have the remedy verified as completed.
  • Fuel-system leak from the fuel-delivery module and tank seals, producing a strong gasoline odor in and around the cabin and a fire risk; covered by recall 14V682000.
  • Six-speed automatic transmission fluid loss plus PTU and axle-seal leaks (red or brown fluid) on AWD cars.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Lincoln models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.