2012 Lincoln MKX
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Lincoln MKX has 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is brakes problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: i drive a lincoln 2012 mkx. as i was driving down the road coming up to a major intersection my brakes failed. after vigorously pumping the brakes, i was finally able to come to a safe stop without an accident. as it turned out, the brakes had a defected power booster and i had to have this replaced. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
108
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
33 complaints- • I DRIVE A LINCOLN 2012 MKX. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING UP TO A MAJOR INTERSECTION MY BRAKES FAILED. AFTER VIGOROUSLY PUMPING THE BRAKES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. AS IT TURNED OUT, THE BRAKES HAD A DEFECTED POWER BOOSTER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPLACED
- • BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE RESULTED IN "NEAR MISS." THE BRAKES WERE HISSING, INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO PRESS, AND WENT SOFT EVENTUALLY AFTER STANDING ON THEM TO ENGAGE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE FORD EDGE / LINCOLN MKX WITH AN ASSOCIATED "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" (READ RECALL AVOIDANCE) # 13N
- • SAME AS PREVIOUS COMPLAINT I PASTED BELOW. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKE AND MY BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING THE PEDAL WAS LOCKED THEN WENT SOFT RESULTING IN A VERY CLOSE CALL AS I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. AIR HISSING WHEN I PRESSED BREAK PEDAL, I
“I DRIVE A LINCOLN 2012 MKX. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING UP TO A MAJOR INTERSECTION MY BRAKES FAILED. AFTER VIGOROUSLY PUMPING THE BRAKES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. AS IT TURNED OUT, THE BRAKES HAD A DEFECTED POWER BOOSTER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPLACED”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Lincoln MKX
Based on 79 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ENGINE
OTHER
TRANSMISSION
BODY/STRUCTURE
BRAKES
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Lincoln MKX
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Lincoln MKX
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lincoln MKX Service Intervals
Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2012 MKX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 108 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: I DRIVE A LINCOLN 2012 MKX. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING UP TO A MAJOR INTERSECTION MY BRAKES FAILED. AFTER VIGOROUSLY PUMPING THE BRAKES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. AS IT TURNED OUT, THE BRAKES HAD A DEFECTED POWER BOOSTER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPLACED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM CLOSED WITHOUT THE DOOR ACTUALLY BEING CLOSED. THIS CAUSED A FALSE POSITIVE CONDITION FOR THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING SYSTEM. I THOUGHT THAT THE DOOR WAS SECURE, HOWEVER THE DOOR WAS IN FACT NOT LATCHED TO THE VEHICLE. MY EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: GOING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR GIVE A BIG HICCUP, THEN JUST A FEW FEET MORE, ANOTHER BIG HICCUP, THEN HAD NO POWER, COULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, AND NOTHING, LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE STREET, OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC, HAD WE BEEN GOING FASTER, AND BEEN ON A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM CLOSED WITHOUT THE DOOR ACTUALLY BEING CLOSED. THIS CAUSED A FALSE POSITIVE CONDITION FOR THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING SYSTEM. I THOUGHT THAT THE DOOR WAS SECURE, HOWEVER THE DOOR WAS IN FACT NOT LATCHED TO THE VEHICLE. MY EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lincoln MKX — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 108
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 108
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Lincoln MKX