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2016 Lincoln MKX recalls & problems

The 2016 Lincoln MKX has 7 safety recalls and 156 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (39 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints156filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 3reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 22, 2025

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 25V544000499,129 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Service brakesAug 10, 2020

Service brakes

Recall 20V469000488,594 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Risk
A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.

Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

SeatsJul 17, 2020

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 20V41400019,299 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk
An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

Components: Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust; Air bags; Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash

Electrical systemNov 12, 2019

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 19V80900054,411 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
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. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on December 2, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available, currently expected to be the end of April 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S41.
SteeringAug 29, 2019

Electric power assist system

Recall 19V632000116,160 vehicles

Problem
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.
Air bagsFeb 27, 2017

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 17V12300027,531 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
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.
Child seatMay 24, 2016

Tether › Connector/clip

Recall 16V3430005 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Risk
An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
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. Ford's number for this recall is 16C09.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Lincoln MKX SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.5%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

MKX FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

MKX FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

MKX AWD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

MKX AWD

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Service brakes3940149,000 mi
Engine320217,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables2732314,500 mi
Unknown or other222007,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light2200092,723 mi
Power train1210018,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system120005,482 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs10000—
Exterior lightingHeadlights6000—
Vehicle speed controlThrottle60007,401 mi
Steering6100—
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate500128,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations