Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Lincoln MKXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 84 owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKX. Most complaints involve service brakes (26) and electrical system (17). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
84
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: axle shaft

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Power trainReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V393000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

84 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2011 – Sep 2025
  1. Service brakes26
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Power train11
  4. Structure10
  5. Engine8
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  7. Air bags4
  8. Back over prevention3
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3

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

By model year

Complaints for each MKX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007298
2008253
200966
2010111
2011149
201284
2013164
201435
201519
2016156
201752
201831
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

26 reports
“Recalled master cylinder brake booster was repaired at the dealership under the recall approx 4 or 5 years ago. The same issue has began again. Out of nowhere while braking, the pedal will become soft and press to the floor. During this time, the car will not slow down. This is resembling a defective part.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2025Service brakesODI 11684240

Electrical system

17 reports
“DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR SENSOR SAYS CAR DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN DOOR IS FIRMLY SHUT. CAUSES DOORS NOT TO LOCK, INTERIOR AND PUDDLE LIGHTS REMAIN ON, DRAINS BATTERY, DOORS WON'T LOCK EVEN WITH CAR IN MOTION. Severe Rust problems under carriage Air Bag light remains on”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11554554

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light and the power train warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle and waited for 15-20 seconds. The contact then continued driving; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown NHTSA Campaign because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,400.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2022Power trainODI 11481754
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKX FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
MKX AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
  • MKX FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • MKX AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Lincoln MKX SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln MKX SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 6427Vehicle 6399
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 MKX questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Lincoln MKX problems?

Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (26), electrical system (17), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lincoln MKX get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lincoln MKX at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Lincoln MKX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Lincoln MKX 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026