Lincoln MKX Years to Avoid: Common Issues & Fixes

Lincoln is a Ford Motor Company brand that has apparently become one of the luxurious automobile brands in the US. Since the market demand for SUVs and crossovers was ever-growing, Lincoln phased out its MKZ and Lincoln Continental.

After years of success, they decided to participate in a strategic shift toward SUVs and crossovers and introduced one of the best vehicles in those segments. As Ford owns Lincoln, they gave their CD3 platform to produce the all-new crossover Lincoln MKX.

Worst Lincoln MKX Years to Avoid

Lincoln MKX was a success soon after its launch, and till now, more than 400,000 units have been sold. MKX is an incredibly reliable yet luxurious crossover. Unlike most Lincolns, the MKX had certain reliability issues. So, let’s find out the model years you should avoid buying.

Most Problematic Model Years to Avoid

Every automobile can have a manufacturing fault, whether Japanese, American, or German. The reliability of any vehicle is mostly determined by complaints reported to the NHTSA, along with major recalls. Here are the worst years of the Lincoln MKX based on these parameters:

Model Year	NHTSA Complaints	Recalls	Common Issues
2007	350	6	Transmission & drivetrain leaks, check engine light, air conditioning failures
2008	326	7	Harsh gear shifting, power liftgate failure, sudden acceleration & engine power loss
2011	200	3	Door ajar sensor failure, water pump failure, coolant leaks & engine shutdown
2012	116	1	Spongy brake pedal, halfshaft disengagement, touchscreen rebooting & connectivity issues
2016	187	6	Steering bolt corrosion, seat wiring harness failure, rear brake hose failure

1) 2007 Lincoln MKX (350 Complaints, 6 Recalls)

The 2007 Lincoln MKX was launched with a modern 3.5-litre gasoline V6 engine that produced 265 hp (250 lb-ft torque) and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This luxury SUV crossover can go up to from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds.

This particular model year was notoriously known for its teething issues, but it also had major issues for which NHTSA reportedly received nearly 350 complaints and six major recalls, mainly related to transmission, drivetrain, and electrical problems. Some of its most common issues are:

Power Transfer Unit Fluid Leaks & Failures

Many owners regularly noticed brownish black fluid leaking under the rear in the all-wheel drive models. The root cause of the issue is fluid turning into sludge, causing internal pressure and eventually leaking through the pressure release valve. That’s not it. There is a design flaw that misses a drain plug for taking out fluids and replacing them.

Check Engine Light Illumination

Another commonly reported issue with 2007 MKX models is that the check engine lights typically turn on without any visible issue. The most common root cause of this issue is oxygen sensors failing over time due to excessive heat in the engine cabin. EGR valves and catalytic converters also triggered error codes.

Air-Con Cooling Issues

Undoubtedly, Lincolns are known for their chilling cooling in their sedans, as in MKXs, too. But the 2007 model had a common issue of air compressor failure, along with other issues such as refrigerant leaks, mainly due to damaged hoses and poor sealing between connections. The main reason behind this failure is seized compressors, which cannot be repaired but must be replaced.

2) 2008 Lincoln MKX (326 Complaints, 7 Recalls)

You should not consider the 2008 model of Lincoln MKX due to:

Harsh Gear Shifting & Failure

The Lincoln MKX came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which many owners reported to have gear slippage, harsh shifting, and even a delay in gear shifting. No matter what you do, this poorly designed valve body will keep wearing out early and will cause the clutch pack to slip.

Power Liftgate Failure

A decent number of owners have shared their concerns with power liftgate failure, where the entire system only works on the liftgate struts, motorised actuators, and a control module. In most cases, the root cause is the control module, which fails due to water getting into it from the rear hatch wiring harness.

Sudden Acceleration & Engine Power Loss

Over time, plenty of owners reported losing engine power even at lower RPMs and sometimes going into limp-home mode. The only root cause of this issue is a faulty throttle position sensor, which is responsible for airflow to the engine. Replacement is not enough if the failure mechanism is still there.

3) 2011 Lincoln MKX (200 Complaints, 3 Recalls)

2011 model of Lincoln MKX should be avoided due to:

Door Ajar Sensor Failure

Many owners reported on forums that their dome light stays on, while some reported open-door chimes even when the door was properly closed. It turns out that the faulty door ajar sensor was the reason behind it. Over time, this door ajar switch wears out due to bad contact or misalignment.

Water Pump Failure

Reports from many users suggest that there were coolant leaks and some sort of burning smell. Some even reported engine failure due to oil having coolant contamination. The most common reason is internal water pump failure, which is due to the poor design inherent in the engine. Even the replacement of the water pump will not make it reliable again.

Coolant Leaks & Engine Shutdown

Many owners have complained to NHTSA about engine clicking sounds, dashboard coolant warnings, and even smoke from under the hood. The root cause of all these problems was leaks from worn-out hoses and seals. You are not finding the root source of the leak, which can be either a module fault or a cracked hose; the leaking issues will keep showing up.

4) 2012 Lincoln MKX (116 Complaints, 1 Recall)

Another unreliable model of Lincoln MKX is of 2012, due to various issues, such as:

Spongy Pedal & Ineffective Braking

The MKX owners reported a hissing noise from the engine firewall and a spongy pedal with less effective braking. Many shared their grief and concern for the safety of the Lincoln MKX. You will simply experience the brake pedal going to the floor, but not stopping the car. The root cause is a worn-out brake master cylinder rubber diaphragm. A tiniest tear causes pressure to leak back and causes loss of brake pressure.

Halfshaft Retention & Loss of Drive

The Lincoln MKX uses halfshafts at the front to drive the wheels. Each of them is engaged with link shafts and properly locked. However, many customers reported jerks and noise from the front wheels, and their vehicles are not driving at all. The culprit behind this is the front halfshaft, which comes outwards and disengages from the link shaft.

Touchscreen Rebooting & Connectivity Issue

Another common problem with the 2012 MKX is the touchscreen module. Owners agitatedly reported that their touchscreen would either keep rebooting or freezing. A few other complaints were reported regarding Bluetooth connectivity and voice reception. The root cause is APIM Hardware failure due to limited thermal margin, and if this is not the case, then the software will not be updated for bugs.

5) 2016 Lincoln MKX (187 Complaints, 6 Recalls)

2016 Lincoln MKX is another yeay to avoid, and has various issues including:

Steering Bolt Corrosion Issue

As owners reported, the most concerning issue with the 2016 model is the loss of power steering, especially when turning; it becomes super heavy. The root cause is corroded bolts that keep the electric steering gear motor in place. When the bolts fail, the motor detaches, hence no assistance when turning.

Seat Wiring Harness Failure

The 2016 model had 16-way power-adjusted seats, but soon many owners reported that their seats stopped working. In worst cases, this issue turned on the airbag warning light, and sometimes failed the airbag during an accident. A major recall to replace it, but the main reason is the sharp seat frame edges, which would cut the harness after repeated seat movements.

Rear Brake Hose Failure

The 2016 owners grievously reported that their brand new MKX’s brake pedal felt soft and that they noticed prolonged braking. The root cause of this issue was much bigger and had safety concerns: the rear brake jounce hose. Within no time from the company, the flexed point of the hose would crack, causing oil to leak.

Bottom Line

The Lincoln MKX is an incredibly reliable SUV with the best possible luxury features offered by both Lincoln and Ford. However, some of its model years were not that lucky in terms of reliability. Among many issues, the most common ones are with either transmission, brake hose, or electrical malfunctions.

FAQs About Lincoln MKX Years to Avoid