NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The rear brake jounce hose can rupture and leak brake fluid, potentially affecting braking performance.
This page covers 9 recalls, 139 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Lincoln Mkx.
19–20 mpg combined
11.8–12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints on the 2016 Lincoln MKX cluster most heavily around the brakes and engine. On the brake side, owners frequently describe sudden warning lights, abnormal noises during braking, and reduced or lost stopping ability, several report the brake warning light coming on unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by a popping sound when pressing the pedal. Engine complaints cover a range of symptoms including rough running, stalling, and performance loss. The electrical system draws the third-highest complaint volume, with owners reporting various warning lights and intermittent system faults. A smaller but notable thread involves the AWD system, where owners describe vibration, rough handling, and the AWD temporarily disabling itself, sometimes accompanied by difficulty steering smoothly through turns.
139
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Lincoln MKX has 9 recalls, with the most serious being a fire risk on 3.7L models where the positive battery cable can rub against the transmission shifter cable bracket and cause an electrical short.
Two brake recalls affect this model: both the front and rear brake hoses can rupture and leak fluid, extending stopping distances. On the safety equipment side, wiring in the front seats with 16-way electric tilt adjustment can be damaged during normal use, causing the passenger seat sensor to misread occupancy and the airbag to either fail in a crash or deploy unexpectedly. The driver's frontal airbag carries a separate concern, where in a crash it may not fully inflate or the cushion may detach from the module. There is also a power steering recall limited to vehicles registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states, where bolts on the steering gear motor can corrode and allow the motor to detach, making steering noticeably heavier especially at low speed. A trim-level issue affects vehicles built on a single day in September 2015: an incorrect seat back cover blocks the second-row center child seat tether anchor, preventing a child seat from being properly secured.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear brake jounce hose can rupture and leak brake fluid, potentially affecting braking performance.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace damaged rear brake jounce hoses and adjust undamaged hoses at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely, potentially affecting braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses with new hoses featuring revised braid material at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring for front seats can get damaged when the seat tilt function is used. This can prevent airbags from working correctly or cause them to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will install protective tape on the seat cushion frame edges and inspect the wiring. Damaged wires will be repaired or replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The edge of the seat cushion frame may contact and damage the wire harness when using the seat's tilt function, which could cause the airbag to deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply protective tape to the seat cushion frame edge and inspect and repair or replace the wire harness if damaged, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The battery positive cable harness may rub against the transmission shifter cable bracket, creating an electrical short circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove harness clips and guide, then install a protective wire channel shield and sleeve around the battery cable.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The positive battery cable may rub against the transmission shifter cable bracket, potentially causing a short circuit.
What the fix does
A Ford or Lincoln dealer will install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve on the battery cable.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Road salt and contaminants can corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts, potentially causing them to break or loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts, apply wax sealer to protect them, and install a new steering gear if bolts are broken or missing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a crash, the driver's front air bag may not fully inflate or the cushion may separate from the air bag module, reducing crash protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seat, preventing proper installation of child restraints.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
