MYRModel Year Report

2016 Lincoln MKX

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Lincoln MKX
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:52.896Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
154
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 298 complaints 2007 2008: 253 complaints 2009: 66 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 149 complaints 2011 2012: 84 complaints 2013: 164 complaints 2013 2014: 35 complaints 2015: 19 complaints 2016: 154 complaints 2016 154 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 0 complaints 2019 2020: 0 complaints
2007: 298 complaints 2007 2008: 253 complaints 2008 2009: 66 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 149 complaints 2011 2012: 84 complaints 2012 2013: 164 complaints 2013 2014: 35 complaints 2014 2015: 19 complaints 2015 2016: 154 complaints 2016 154 2017: 52 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 0 complaints 2019 2020: 0 complaints 2020
2007: 298 complaints 2007 2008: 253 complaints 2008 2009: 66 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 149 complaints 2011 2012: 84 complaints 2012 2013: 164 complaints 2013 2014: 35 complaints 2014 2015: 19 complaints 2015 2016: 154 complaints 2016 154 2017: 52 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 0 complaints 2019 2020: 0 complaints 2020

2016: 154 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2007298
2008253
200966
2010111
2011149
201284
2013164
201435
201519
2016154
201752
201831
20190
20200

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

38% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2025-11-07

Also filed under Power train

Engine

21% · 32 reports
FIREINJURY
Show 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, 2018-04-23

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, 2017-04-22

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

18% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing cables.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2017-09-14

Power train

8% · 12 reports
CRASH

Fuel/propulsion system

8% · 12 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 154 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-06-16Child seat16V343000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2017-06-16Air bags17V123000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-10-18Steering19V632000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2020-04-28Electrical system19V809000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2020-08-12Air bags, electrical system, seats20V414000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2021-05-13Service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic20V469000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. R
    Date not on fileService brakes, hydraulic25V544000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Lincoln MKX — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 59 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 25V544000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V343000 · Child seat
  • Recall 17V123000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V632000 · Steering
  • Recall 19V809000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V414000 · Air bags, electrical system, seats
  • Recall 20V469000 · Service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.