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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Lincoln MKXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 35 owner complaints for the 2014 Lincoln MKX. Most complaints involve service brakes (10) and engine (7). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
35
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

35 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Jul 2026
  1. Service brakes10
  2. Engine7
  3. Power train7
  4. Electrical system5
  5. Structure2
  6. Back over prevention2
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Visibility/wiper2

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
1
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

10 reports1 crash
“A year ago, Lincoln issued a "voluntary recall" for a safety issue affecting loss of power brake assist due to a problem with the Electronic Brake Booster, identical to the recall recently issued for newer models. I took my Lincoln to the dealership, only to be told they cannot fix it unless it is happening when you bring it in. It is a very sporadic failure, lasts for a short time, and impossible to predict. So, while they claimed to have issued a 'voluntary recall', it is ineffective since the sporadic nature makes it impossible to get it fixed. Then the voluntary recall expired a few months after they sent out the notice.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2025Service brakesODI 11677702

Engine

7 reports
“This automobile has a 3.7-liter engine manufactured by Ford Motor Company. We are the second owner of the vehicle. A dealer representative informed us the motor has an inherent defect while inspecting pinch weld failures. This engine, transversely mounted, was created whereby the chain driven water pump is located behind the front casing placing access on the passenger side of the vehicle. Water pumps have planned obsolescence and when these water pumps fail, the antifreeze drains into the engine crankcase mixing with the engine oil causing catastrophic failure of the engine within minutes of the water pump failure. This is a significant safety hazard causing the engine to seize and when at expressway driving could cause a serious accident due to the sudden loss of power and being stranded on the side of the road. There are approximately four (4) million vehicles manufactured by Ford and Mazda with the 3.5 and 3.7 liter transversely mounted engines. As the vehicles age, the water pump failure can occur between 120-150,000 miles rendering the vehicle incapacitated wherever the failure occurs. From my research, there is no prior warning of the failure. The cost…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2025EngineODI 11692046

Power train

7 reports2 crashes
“SPORADICALLY GET A MESSAGE THAT THE DRIVER FROM DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT IS CLOSED. ALSO, GET A MESSAGE THAT TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK, MORE RECENTLY I HAVE ALSO GOTTEN THIS MESSAGE WHEN I START MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BOTH MESSAGES TO GO AWAY BY OPENING AND SHUTTING THE DOOR A FEW TIMES(FOR THE DOOR AJAR MESSAGE) AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON(THIS SOMETIMES TAKES 3 OR 4 TRIES, FOR THE TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK MESSAGE). *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2020Power train, Electrical systemODI 11329468
All 2014 MKX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small 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
182521$3,050422
MKX AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400461
  • MKX FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 25 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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 8275Vehicle 8274
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

2014 MKX questions

How many recalls does the 2014 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 2014 Lincoln MKX problems?

Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (10), engine (7), power train (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Lincoln MKX get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Lincoln MKX at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Lincoln MKX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Lincoln MKX 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026