Is the 2016 Lincoln MKX reliable?

The 2016 Lincoln MKX has 206 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Top problems: BRAKES (51 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (33 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (27 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, CHILD SEAT:TETHER: CONNECTOR/CLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lincoln MKX?

The 2016 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 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Lincoln MKX is approximately $1,954/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.

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 1.9x the segment average of 108. 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. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 11 crash reports 5 injuries

206

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lincoln MKX

Based on 113 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 28 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 7K 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 (7)

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM29/08/2019

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, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 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)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/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 2016 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

$1,954

Full coverage / month

$163

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+17%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1954

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 2016 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

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)