Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX reliable?

The 2013 Lincoln MKX has 203 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Lincoln MKX?

Top problems: BRAKES (66 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (29 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (22 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Lincoln MKX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Lincoln MKX?

The 2013 Lincoln MKX gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Lincoln MKX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Lincoln MKX is approximately $2,038/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Lincoln MKX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lincoln MKX has 203 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is brakes problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: started car in driveway. car stalled and lost all power. tried to restart and car started again. 1 week later, while driving dashboard control panel (phone, navigation, climate,sirius blacked out. car stalled in middle of highway. no power. later the same day, the brake pedal went directly . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 6 crash reports 2 injuries

203

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

66 complaints

33%

• STARTED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR STARTED AGAIN. 1 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL (PHONE, NAVIGATION, CLIMATE,SIRIUS BLACKED OUT. CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO POWER. LATER THE SAME DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY
• STARTED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR DID RESTART. 1 WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL (PHONE, NAVIGATION, SIRIUS, CLIMATE BLACKENED OUT. CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO POWER. LATER THE SAME DAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO T
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“STARTED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR STARTED AGAIN. 1 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL (PHONE, NAVIGATION, CLIMATE,SIRIUS BLACKED OUT. CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO POWER. LATER THE SAME DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Lincoln MKX

Based on 127 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 40K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 78K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT02/07/2014

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 2013 Lincoln MKX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Lincoln MKX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,038

Full coverage / month

$170

Liability only / year

$717

vs US avg

+22%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2038

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln MKX Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2013 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 203 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: STARTED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR STARTED AGAIN. 1 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL (PHONE, NAVIGATION, CLIMATE,SIRIUS BLACKED OUT. CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO POWER. LATER THE SAME DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY TO MY HOME, THE BLIND SPOT AND CROSS TRAFFIC SENSORS FAULTED. THE WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS A FAULTY BLIB MODULE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FOR A TWO MONTH OLD CAR, THERE SEEM TO BE AN ABNORM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: EXHAUST LEAK IN CABIN. I PURCHASED THE 2013 MKX IN APRIL 2017, SOON AFTER I BEGAN NOTICING AN EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER FAST ACCELERATION. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN JUNE AND JULY, WHO SEALED AND RESEALED THE BUMPER WHICH HAD NO IMPROVEMEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: NEAR THE END OF MY DAILY HOUR LONG COMMUTE HOME I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN, AS I WAS DECELERATING UP TO THE STOP SIGN, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, THE STEERING SEIZE UP, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO FUNCTION, AND THE BRAKING WAS SLUGGISH. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
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)