2016 Lincoln MKX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Lincoln MKX has 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: there is a serious design flaw/safety hazard with the way the bar attached to the brake pedal is structured. when the vehicle is in motion and i need to brake, the tip of my shoe makes contact with the skinny metal bar attached to the brake pedal. in other words, the only way to brake is to bend m. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 11 crash reports 5 injuries

206

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

51 complaints

25%

• THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW/SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE WAY THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STRUCTURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND I NEED TO BRAKE, THE TIP OF MY SHOE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE SKINNY METAL BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN OTHER WORDS, THE ONLY WAY TO BRAKE IS TO BEND M
• THERE IS A SERIOUS FLAW/DESIGN WITH THE WAY THE BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL,ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL PAD IS WAY TOO SMALL.WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I NEED TO BRAKE MY FOOT HITS THE METAL BAR THAT SUPPORTS THE BRAKE PEDAL,WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO STOP.ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I ALMOST HIT THE
• BRAKES GRAB CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID ON WET PAVEMENT. PASSENGERS ARE RESTRAINED BY SEAT BELTS AND LOOSE ITEMS IN VEHICLE TOSSED TOWARDS FRONT. WILL HAPPEN UNDER LIGHT PEDAL APPLICATION EVEN WHEN APPLIED KNOWING THE PROBLEM EXITS. HAVE ALMOST SLID OF ROADWAY ON CURVES USING EXTREME CAUTION BRAKING.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW/SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE WAY THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STRUCTURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND I NEED TO BRAKE, THE TIP OF MY SHOE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE SKINNY METAL BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN OTHER WORDS, THE ONLY WAY TO BRAKE IS TO BEND M”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

33 complaints

16%

• I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD NO GAS POWER THE ENGINE STARTED REEVING UP ON HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I CONTINUE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE IT HAPPEN AGAIN I NEEDED A TOW
• THE CAR HAS STALLED 6 OR 7 TIMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THAT PROBLEM. A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON JUNE 7 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN NEW ORLEANS LA. DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET, I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE QUIT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT A
• MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOSING POWER WHILE I'M DRIVING, LEADING TO SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS ON SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND SOMETIMES THE "HILL ASSIST" MESSAGE WILL ALSO APPEAR. ONCE POWER IS LOST, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND LITERALLY SHUTS DOWN; THE ACCELERATOR D

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD NO GAS POWER THE ENGINE STARTED REEVING UP ON HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I CONTINUE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE IT HAPPEN AGAIN I NEEDED A TOW ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

27 complaints

13%

• SYNC 3 NAVIGATION UNIT FAULTED OUT FREEZING SOME OF THE CONTROLS ON THE CENTER STACK. PHONE FUNCTIONS (INCLUDING 911 ASSIST BECAME INOPERATIVE. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SEVERITY. UNIT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESET WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED. LINCOLN'S
• 2016 LINCOLN MKX HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. WE LEFT HOME AND HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE IN OUR SUBDIVISION WHEN I SLOWED FOR AND STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. THE ENGINE SHUDDERED AND SHOOK, ENGINE REVOLUTIONS SLOWED DOWN. SPED UP, SLOWED DOWN AND ENGINE QUIT. THE MESSAGE, "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE' DISPLA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BEFORE THEY ARRIVED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE WAY TO THE DEAL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“SYNC 3 NAVIGATION UNIT FAULTED OUT FREEZING SOME OF THE CONTROLS ON THE CENTER STACK. PHONE FUNCTIONS (INCLUDING 911 ASSIST BECAME INOPERATIVE. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SEVERITY. UNIT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESET WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED. LINCOLN'S ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

21 complaints

10%

• VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT STOPS OR STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE. ERROR DISPLAYED ON TACHOMETER SCREEN READS "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". ONCE ENGINE STOPS, ALL ELECTRICAL CONTINUES TO WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. YOU CAN PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART, AND ISSUE
• LED ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS ARE SAID TO MOVE IN COORDINATION WITH THE STEERING ANGLE WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED BUT DO NOT. EVEN WHEN SET TO AUTOMATIC MODE, HEADLIGHTS WILL ONLY ILLUMINATE IN THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS POINTING PARTIALLY BLINDING DRIVERS IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ADDITION
• I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD NO GAS POWER THE ENGINE STARTED REEVING UP ON HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I CONTINUE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE IT HAPPEN AGAIN I NEEDED A TOW

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT STOPS OR STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE. ERROR DISPLAYED ON TACHOMETER SCREEN READS "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". ONCE ENGINE STOPS, ALL ELECTRICAL CONTINUES TO WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. YOU CAN PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART, AND ISSUE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

12 complaints

• MAY 19 2016 I EXPERIENCED THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RETRIED. I WENT ABOUT A HALF MILE WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SERVICE SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER 27 DAYS I GOT MY CAR BACK.. WHILE LINCOLN WAS HELPFUL, I DO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IF THAT HAD HAPPENE
• TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHEN APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART, FINALLY STARTED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS HILL ASSIST LIGHT (ON A COMPLETE LEVEL SURFACE AT TIME) VERY CLOSE CALL ON GETTING HIT AT INTERSECTION, UNSAFE SITUATION. ONCE ABLE TO RESTART CAR HAD VERY LIMITED
• MY WIFE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY ON JULY 13 2016. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC TO AVOID MAJOR ACCIDENT FROM THIS LOSS OF POWER. WAS ABLE TO START CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SHE CALLED AND I INSTRUCTED HER TO GO FORD IMMEDIATELY. MET HER THERE AND THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MAY 19 2016 I EXPERIENCED THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RETRIED. I WENT ABOUT A HALF MILE WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SERVICE SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER 27 DAYS I GOT MY CAR BACK.. WHILE LINCOLN WAS HELPFUL, I DO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IF THAT HAD HAPPENE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 206 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW/SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE WAY THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STRUCTURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND I NEED TO BRAKE, THE TIP OF MY SHOE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE SKINNY METAL BAR ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN OTHER WORDS, THE ONLY WAY TO BRAKE IS TO BEND M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD NO GAS POWER THE ENGINE STARTED REEVING UP ON HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I CONTINUE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE IT HAPPEN AGAIN I NEEDED A TOW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SYNC 3 NAVIGATION UNIT FAULTED OUT FREEZING SOME OF THE CONTROLS ON THE CENTER STACK. PHONE FUNCTIONS (INCLUDING 911 ASSIST BECAME INOPERATIVE. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SEVERITY. UNIT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESET WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED. LINCOLN'S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT STOPS OR STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE. ERROR DISPLAYED ON TACHOMETER SCREEN READS "FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE". ONCE ENGINE STOPS, ALL ELECTRICAL CONTINUES TO WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. YOU CAN PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART, AND ISSUE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)