Service brakes
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2016 Lincoln MKXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 156 owner complaints for the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Most complaints involve service brakes (39) and engine (32). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Aug 2025
Owner complaints
156
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Service brakes
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Seats: power adjust
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
156 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Sep 2026
- Service brakes39
- Engine32
- Electrical system27
- Service brakes, hydraulic22
- Power train12
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Wheels7
- Steering6
- Exterior lighting6
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 Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Service brakes
39 reports4 crashes
“Unknown there were no incidents But the recall is almost 1 year old I received the notice September 2025 regarding a possible brake hose defect waiting almost 1 year for a Fix is Rediclous there had been no updates from Ford/Lincoln motor company brake issue should be taken more Seriously”
Engine
32 reports2 fires
“The internal water pump failed, dumping a half gallon of antifreeze into the engine oil. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all power while driving in the middle of active traffic, creating a severe crash hazard .”
Electrical system
27 reports3 crashes2 fires
“FOR THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, NEAR OR AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025 MY 2016 LINCOLN MKX HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT OR HAVING GLITCHES IN THE CENTER CABIN. THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM AND BLINDSPOT SYTEM FAULT HAVE TURNED ON AND OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING A SHORT IN THE CABIN RESULTING IN THE ac OR hEAT TURNING OFF AND ON. THIS ALSO CREATES A SHORT WHERE THE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN, THE GLOVE BOX WILL NOT OPEN OR THE TRUNK, THE DOORS CANT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. AND MOST SERIOUS, MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE. THE lINCOLN DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS WITNESSED THE PROBLEM, YET THEIR TECH IS NEVER AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND HAS SEEN VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS. ORIGINALLY CAR MAX REFERRED THE CAR TO LINCOLN BECAUSE CARMAX CLAIMED THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS THE LINCOLN'S ISSUES. LINCOLN CLAIMS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE AND THAT I SHOULD WAIT FOR THE CAR TO BREAK DOWN.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
- 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 Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKX FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 438 |
| MKX FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,100 | 434 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 456 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 472 |
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Lincoln MKX SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln MKX SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.5%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2016 MKX questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
7 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2016 Lincoln MKX problems?
Owners filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (39), engine (32), electrical system (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Lincoln MKX get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Lincoln MKX at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
How safe is the 2016 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lincoln MKX 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026