2016 Lincoln MKX
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 298 |
| 2008 | 253 |
| 2009 | 65 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 148 |
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2013 | 162 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 145 |
| 2017 | 52 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
25% of complaints: service brakes — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I have had to replace my rear brake pads, rotors, and the whole braking system (not related to sensors) three times in a year. I received the recall notice after the third time and had a mechanic fix my brake hose as a short-term remedy for my car.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251107
22% of complaints: engine — 32 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180423
AFTER START AND SHORT DRIVE INCLUDING A LEFT THAN RIGHT TURN. AT STOP SIGN, VEHICLE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH SAFETY WARNINGS, STARTED SHAKING, LOST POWER, AND STARTED ON FIRE. SMOKE BEGAN IN DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENGULFED WHOLE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170422
18% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
BACK TAIL GATE CAME BACK UP AFTER THOUGHT TO BE CLOSED. CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LIFT GATE HITTING THE TOP OF THE GARAGE DOOR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170914
AFTER START AND SHORT DRIVE INCLUDING A LEFT THAN RIGHT TURN. AT STOP SIGN, VEHICLE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH SAFETY WARNINGS, STARTED SHAKING, LOST POWER, AND STARTED ON FIRE. SMOKE BEGAN IN DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENGULFED WHOLE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170422
9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 12 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 16V343000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
Campaign 17V123000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana,...
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle.
Campaign 19V632000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge.
Campaign 19V809000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge.
Campaign 20V414000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021.
Campaign 20V469000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025.
Campaign 25V544000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Lincoln MKX — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V544000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V343000 (child seat) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V123000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V632000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V809000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V414000 (air bags, electrical system, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V469000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2016 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Lincoln MKX is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKX?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.