Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Lincoln MKX problems

Owners filed 156 complaints about the 2016 Lincoln MKX with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (39).

Complaints
156
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes39
  2. Engine32
  3. Electrical system27
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic22
  5. Power train12
  6. Fuel/propulsion system12
  7. Wheels7
  8. Steering6
  9. Exterior lighting6
  10. Vehicle speed control6
  11. Structure5
  12. Suspension4
  13. Back over prevention3
  14. Forward collision avoidance3

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
20153
201628
201712
20188
20199
202013
202117
20226
202311
20244
202518
202627

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

Service brakes

39 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Service brakesODI 11760452

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 .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11739238

Electrical system

27 reports3 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2026Electrical system, Lane departure, Back over preventionODI 11741387

Service brakes, hydraulic

22 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal became inoperable, and the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled away from oncoming traffic to ensure that the vehicle stopped and avoided a crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failure of the front caliper and brake hydraulic system, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired multiple times. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone. The approximate failure mileage was 85,446.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11762870

Power train

12 reports1 crash
“"AWD Temporarily Disabled" warning notification came on while driving 55 mph in the middle lane of an expressway during late afternoon/early evening hours. The roadway was clear of debris and the weather was sunny. There was no further instruction of what to do from the dashboard. However, after the warning came on, the vehicle started to smell bad and a noise from the rear passenger side could be heard. While slowing down to a stop, the vehicle started to vibrate and steering became tight and difficult to maneuver. Once I read through the manual, it mentioned to let the vehicle cool for 10 minutes before moving again. I waited 5 hours to drive the car again and the same thing occurred. I pulled over and waited 25 minutes and the vehicle would not go into Drive. It would go into Reverse. I had to go into Reverse twice before the vehicle would move into Drive. The "AWD Temporarily Disabled" warning kept coming on continuously until I could pull over again. Each time I slowed down or was coming to a stop, the vehicle would vibrate as if it was wanting to stall and the steering was tight and difficult to maneuver. The safety of myself and others were at risk…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Steering, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11767481

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“VEHICLE IN MOTION LOSES ACCELERATION SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS LOSS LEAVES YOU IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY OR ANY TRAFFIC SITUATION. DATE OF 07/12/17 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.DATE OF 06/27/17 INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. 05/19 /17 VEHICLE IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN VEHICLE REACHED 7,000 MILES. WAS INITIALLY TOLD BY ONE DEALER SERVICE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF VEHICLE WAIT THEN RESTART. NEVER WAS RECALLED BY LINCOLN MOTOR IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS REPORTS BY OWNERS ON CARCOMPLAINTS WEBSITE. WHEN I CONTACTED LINCOLN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NTSB TO ISSUE A RECALL. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER WHO MADE THE REPAIR THERE IS A RECALL BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERS . NO RECALL NOTICES WERE EVER SENT TO OWNERS AS 07/29/2017”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2017Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11011467
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.