Service brakes
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.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints for the 2017 Lincoln MKX. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (13) and electrical system (13). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle veered to the right. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered while slowing down and while making a turn. The contact stated that while driving downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle jerked unexpectedly. The trunk warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted; however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable. The contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100.”
“During a manufacturer-mandated software module update, North Central Ford (Plano, TX) bypassed continuous power supply safety protocols. This negligence caused a voltage drop, interrupted the software flash, and completely corrupted the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The dealership returned the vehicle to me, stating the update was complete. The corrupted module failed to power down, causing a severe parasitic drain that completely killed the battery overnight, leaving the vehicle immobilized and immune to jump-starting. The APIM is completely corrupted. The disabled vehicle was towed back to North Central Ford and remains available for immediate inspection. Safety Risks: The corrupted APIM permanently disabled the federally mandated backup camera (violating FMVSS 111) and touch-screen climate/defroster controls, creating severe rear and forward visibility hazards. The module's failure to sleep causes a continuous parasitic battery drain that has already stranded me and introduces a high risk of sudden electrical failure in traffic. Dealer Confirmation: North Central Ford's paperwork confirms they caused the failure. Their Day 1 intake Multi-Point…”
“While driving on interstate 271/480 my check engine light started flashing and my car suddenly died putting me in harms way as I tried navigating 3 lanes to get to the berm. It was towed to 2 different Lincoln dealerships where they both confirmed the engine lost compression and would need a full replacement. This vehicle is only a 2017 and 100K miles and shouldn't have total engine failure at that age. I read articles on NHTSA investigating Ford engines and feel this may have a similar engine issue and is worth investigating. Please let me know how I can assist.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| 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 | 440 |
| MKX FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 467 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 471 |
| 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 |
5 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.
Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (13), electrical system (13), engine (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2017 Lincoln MKX at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Lincoln MKX 5 out of 5 stars overall.