The 2009 Lincoln MKX has 7 recalls, the most serious being a Takata airbag defect affecting both the driver and passenger frontal inflators, which can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue is the dominant concern across multiple recalls and applies to both sides of the front seat. Over time, the propellant inside these inflators degrades under sustained heat and humidity, and when the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explode rather than inflate normally, sending sharp metal shards toward the driver and front passenger. Some of these recalls are geographically scoped to high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and several others where heat and moisture accelerate the propellant breakdown, though certain filings cover vehicles regardless of where they were originally sold or registered. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for what is fundamentally the same failure mode. If these inflators have not been replaced, this is the most urgent concern on the vehicle.
The remaining recall involves the fuel tank. On MKX vehicles built between late 2008 and mid-2010 that were sold or are registered in cold-weather states, a fuel tank assembly can develop a leak. Gasoline escaping near a heat or ignition source raises the risk of a fire, though the vehicle may show no obvious symptoms beforehand.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode. This can happen when the propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver or passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag module and replace the module or inflator if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity can gradually break down the chemical propellant in the passenger front airbag, causing it to deploy with excessive force during a collision. This may send fragments toward occupants and damage the airbag assembly, reducing its effectiveness.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front airbag inflator with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost. Ford will mail recall notices and notify owners when parts are available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Salt water exposure causes corrosion at the fuel tank seam weld under the mounting brackets, potentially causing fuel leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and either clean and treat it with corrosion preventative or replace it.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
