2016 Lincoln Mkx
The Verdict
The 2016 Lincoln Mkx has 145 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (43 complaints) and engine (40 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 65/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Lincoln Mkx, consider the 2015 model year which has 86% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2015 has 86% fewer complaints
View the 2015 Lincoln Mkx dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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, blocki...
Risk
An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford cus...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 wir...
Risk
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 resu...
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge. In...
Reported Dec 11, 2019
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
Tuesday June 2, 2026 my car went into the shop. At which time the viscous coupler was replaced for the rear AWD differential. This was a Ford OEM Part that had failed. Upon replacing it shut up they found the rear differential gear assembly was in fact also in need of being replaced. The needed part is called a rear final drive. It is now June 30, 2026. My car has been in the shop now for 28 days. The rear final drive part needed is on backorder. “We are more than 100 on the list.” Therefore, I will not be getting my car back any time soon. Upon researching and discussions with dealerships, this is and has been a known problem with the Lincoln and Ford vehicles. However, there has never been a recall, or any justification for this known problem. I would like some answers to why anyone would have to wait that long for a part for their vehicle! I am without a car and will be for an extended period time!
I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding the extreme delay in the recall remedy for my vehicle. Despite the recall being issued months ago, Ford Motor Company/Lincoln has failed to resolve this critical safety issue in a timely manner. Here are my vehicle details: Year/Make/Model: 2016 Lincoln MKX VIN [XXX] NHTSA Recall Number: 25V544 Manufacturer Recall Number: 25S87 Component Affected: Rear Flexible Brake Hoses Description of the Safety Concern: The recall notice explicitly states that a failure in the rear flexible brake hoses can lead to a loss of brake fluid, resulting in increased brake pedal travel and significantly increased stopping distances, which greatly elevates the risk of a crash. Recently, I have started experiencing a noticeable softening in the brake pedal ("increased pedal travel"), which makes driving the vehicle extremely hazardous. When I contacted my local Lincoln dealership, I was informed that they do not have the necessary parts in stock and could not provide a definitive timeline for the repair. As a consumer, I am being forced to drive a vehicle with a known, severe braking defect because the manufacturer has failed to supply the remedy parts. This is a direct threat to my life, my family’s safety, and the safety of others on the road. Furthermore, this prolonged delay is causing me significant financial hardship and stress. I urgently request NHTSA to intervene and hold Ford Motor Company accountable for expediting the parts distribution for this critical safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle is very hard to stop . The recall was in August of2025 for my back break hoses, as of today Ford/Lincoln doesn't have the part . This is very Dangerous. I'm financing my vehicle therefore I don't have funds to repair it myself. I'm at risk of crashing and I take my kids to school daily, I'm putting my family life in danger every time I get behind the wheel Please can someone help me keep my family safe
See attached document for complaint.
FOR THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, NEAR OR AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025 MY 2016 LINCOLN MKX HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT OR HAVING GLITCHES IN THE CENTER CABIN. THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM AND BLINDSPOT SYTEM FAULT HAVE TURNED ON AND OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING A SHORT IN THE CABIN RESULTING IN THE ac OR hEAT TURNING OFF AND ON. THIS ALSO CREATES A SHORT WHERE THE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN, THE GLOVE BOX WILL NOT OPEN OR THE TRUNK, THE DOORS CANT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. AND MOST SERIOUS, MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE. THE lINCOLN DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS WITNESSED THE PROBLEM, YET THEIR TECH IS NEVER AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND HAS SEEN VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS. ORIGINALLY CAR MAX REFERRED THE CAR TO LINCOLN BECAUSE CARMAX CLAIMED THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS THE LINCOLN'S ISSUES. LINCOLN CLAIMS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE AND THAT I SHOULD WAIT FOR THE CAR TO BREAK DOWN.
The internal water pump failed, dumping a half gallon of antifreeze into the engine oil. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all power while driving in the middle of active traffic, creating a severe crash hazard .
Rear axle joint degraded, the vehicle cannot steer smoothly, indicator shows AWD temporarily disabled; large vibrations and unsafe to drive. In the end the vehicle was having troubles turning directions.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while pulling into the ATM at approximately 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then driven to an independent mechanic, and was diagnosed with brake failure. The mechanic determined that the rear passenger’s side brake hose had ruptured, and the rear driver’s side brake hose needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced both rear brake hoses, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a request for reimbursement was made. The manufacturer informed the contact that the reimbursement would be provided once the part for the recall repair was available. The failure mileage was approximately 57,532.
Unknown Still waiting for solution for possible brake failure. Not comfortable just waiting for an accident to happen while driving.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that there would be another notification when the parts became available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I have an oil pan leak and when I went online to see what the problem may be, I found that many people were having the same problem as I have for my year make and model vehicle, but it has not been recalled for the manufacture to repair.
2 recalls, saftey notice,#25S87,25E02,first is from September 25,secons,December 25,no update or any information.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the brake fluid reservoir was refilled, and days later, the low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. Most recently, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it rolled away. The vehicle was parked and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. However, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 122,934.
While driving home from work during rush hour, a warning light illuminated on my dashboard and my vehicle suddenly lost braking ability. When I pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow or stop. I was forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road and pump the brake pedal extremely hard multiple times before the vehicle finally came to a stop. This occurred in heavy traffic and created an immediate and severe safety risk. The vehicle was towed to a dealership for inspection. I was informed that only a “temporary fix” could be performed, and I was required to pay approximately $500 for this repair in order to regain use of the vehicle. The vehicle has not received a permanent repair, and the dealership has taken several months without completing a permanent fix. I have also been waiting several months for reimbursement of the almost $500 paid for the temporary repair, with no resolution. I am concerned that I was charged for a temporary repair related to a serious safety failure and that continued delays in both reimbursement and permanent repair place me at ongoing risk. I am filing this complaint due to the dangerous nature of the brake failure, the lack of a permanent repair, the extended delay in resolving a critical safety issue, and the financial burden placed on me for a temporary solution.
Catalytic Converter Issues with Ford after Emissions Recall I recently had an emissions recall on my 2016 Lincoln MKX by Ford (25E02) in which the "vehicle has an emissions control system that does not account for certain in-use conditions and might not control tail pipe emissions effectively over time." Now one of the catalytic converters in the car is not working and needs to be replaced. The safety issue is the emissions being released as a result of the emissions control system not working properly for years and damaging the catalytic converter. I believe the company is aware of the issue but is refusing to include catalytic convertors in the recall. This is an environmental hazard that should fall on Ford to resolve.
Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs (CSPs) 23B11/24E04 for P0420/P0430 codes they did the update and now the check engine light is on all the time and they will not replace catalytic converter
My car is currently under two recall notices however only one of the issues has been communicated to me of resolution. One being emissions control 25E02 and second being Recall 25S87 REAR BRAKE FLEXIBLE HOSE LEAK. Recall 1- emissions has been a problem for about 2 years now. Emissions are connected to my engine thus having my check engine light come on. My car failed an emissions test but was only 4 years old and the catalytic converters are not broken, have hole, anything leading to failed test, car repair fees and non-registered vehicle. The second recall is not being fixed, and I have had to replace my brake house, line and rear right brake twice this year. Lastly, I have collision warning however it does not work properly if at all. I was in a minor fender bender when I went to push on brakes the sound to warn me of a collision did not go off until after the crash! I am unsure of the process but if connected to my braking system it failed and if it is a preventative measure it sucks.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
145 total