Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Lincoln MKX problems

Owners filed 253 complaints about the 2008 Lincoln MKX with NHTSA between Feb 2008 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (157).

Complaints
253
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags157
  2. Power train30
  3. Service brakes17
  4. Fuel/propulsion system16
  5. Engine15
  6. Vehicle speed control13
  7. Electrical system11
  8. Fuel system, gasoline6
  9. Seats5
  10. Structure4
  11. Suspension4
  12. Steering3
  13. Wheels3
  14. Visibility/wiper2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20083
20090
20104
20111
20128
20134
201413
201516
201617
201776
201881
20193
202010
20215
20226
20231
20242
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

157 reports3 crashes5 related recalls
“The contact owned a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and later Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact had made several attempts to set up recall appointments, however, the dealer kept advising her that the parts were not available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and following a right bend on the road she crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact stated that it was raining and the road surface was wet. The contact's vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the parked car, damaging the rear quarter panel and both doors. The contact's vehicle had damage to the front driver-side bumper and headlight, and the passenger door which was crushed by the impact. The contact stated that both side-impact air bags deployed but did not inflate and that the driver and passenger front air bags had not deployed. The contact stated that she received minor cuts to her left leg and bruises to the left side of her face, neck and shoulders. The contact stated that she had been transported by ambulance for medical attention.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11494012

Power train

30 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2024Power trainODI 11614318

Service brakes

17 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the brake pedal was firm when depressed, and the vehicle was slow to respond. There was an abnormal hissing noise detected from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Cavalier Ford Greenbrier (1515 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320), who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN and to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V469000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakesODI 11586390

Fuel/propulsion system

16 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE) IN 2015 BY BRAD MANNING FORD INC., LOCATED AT (901 S 4TH ST, DEKALB, IL 60115 815-756-6325), DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REPAIR WAS IMPROPERLY PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS LEAK AT THE SEAMS OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO LINCOLN DIVISION AND WAS INSTEAD REFERRED TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $2,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,550.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11318365

Engine

15 reports
“I am reporting a serious mechanical defect in my 2008 Lincoln MKX involving the internal water pump. This vehicle uses the Ford 3.5L V6 Cyclone engine, where the water pump is mounted inside the engine and driven by the timing chain. My water pump failed unexpectedly, causing coolant to leak into the engine oil. This design flaw poses a serious safety risk due to potential engine failure while driving. This could lead to the engine seizing without warning, loss of power steering and braking, and increased risk of a crash. Ford and Lincoln are aware of this issue, and many owners have reported similar failures, but no recall has been issued. Repairs cost thousands of dollars and often require full engine replacement. This is a known design defect that puts drivers and passengers in danger. I urge NHTSA to investigate and mandate a recall before someone is seriously injured or worse. This failure is unpredictable, dangerous, and affects many vehicles using this engine platform”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2025EngineODI 11658100

Vehicle speed control

13 reports
“MKX has 75000 miles on it and the tss and oss sensors have gone out. Car goes into limp mode and will barely move, it shifts very hard, speed odometer quits and all the warning lights come on. If you stop let it sit and restart car it resets issue but you never know when it will happen again. It can happen at cruising speed or at start of car. VERY unsafe”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2022Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11470718
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.