Lincoln MKX Best and Worst Years (2007–2020)
Avoid 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2016 Lincoln MKX years — they carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 92, 85, 77) and the most recall campaigns, led by airbag and brake problems. The 2014 and 2015 model years score lowest (complaint index 23 and 15) and are rated Best.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2007–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,416
- Recall campaigns
- 23
- Crashes reported
- 52
- Fires reported
- 20
- Top problem area
- Airbags
MKX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Lincoln MKX problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 298 | 14 | 8 | 5 ! | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 92 | 253 | 3 | 2 | 6 ! | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 54 | 66 | 0 | 0 | 6 ! | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 85 | 111 | 9 | 1 | 6 ! | Airbags | 19.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 69 | 149 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 46 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 62 | 163 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Brakes | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 23 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 15 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 77 | 155 | 6 | 3 | 7 | Brakes | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 38 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Brakes | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 31 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 5 | Brakes | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
MKX years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 Lincoln MKX Index 100 · 298 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2007 MKX ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100. Airbags dominate owner reports, making up 52% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 95,800 miles. Owners also reported fuel system problems (16% of complaints, median 90,000 miles) and transmission issues (12%, median 82,319 miles). NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, two of them do-not-drive airbag recalls tied to Takata inflators. Crash and fire counts are the highest among MKX years, with 14 crashes and 8 fires reported.
2007 airbags problems →2007 fuel system problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2008 Lincoln MKX Index 92 · 253 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2008 MKX has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of any year. Airbags account for 62% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,000 miles, and transmission problems make up another 12% (median 92,904 miles). Six recall campaigns apply to this year, including two do-not-drive airbag recalls. Owners reported airbag deployment injuries and vehicle fires unrelated to heated seats being active. Crashes and injuries were both notably elevated compared to later years.
2008 airbags problems →2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 engine problems →
2010 Lincoln MKX Index 85 · 111 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 MKX carries a complaint index of 85. Airbags again lead complaints at 49% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 73,000 miles, followed by brakes at 23% (median 100,000 miles). This year has six recall campaigns, three of them do-not-drive, including a Takata airbag recall. Owners described sudden acceleration incidents while stopped and braking failures at high mileage. Nine crashes were reported for this model year, more than most other years.
2016 Lincoln MKX Index 77 · 155 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2016 MKX has a complaint index of 77. Brakes are the top problem area at 37% of complaints (median failure mileage 60,866), followed by engine issues at 25% with a much lower median failure mileage of 7,425 miles, and electrical system problems at 20% (median 17,000 miles). Seven recall campaigns cover this year, including two separate brake hose recalls and a seat wiring harness recall. Owners reported dashboard warnings, loss of power, and engine compartment fires shortly after starts, along with brake pedals going to the floor.
2016 brakes problems →2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →
Most common Lincoln MKX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags410 (29%)
- Brakes303 (21%)
- Electrical System193 (14%)
- Engine189 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain138 (10%)
- Other132 (9%)
- Fuel System105 (7%)
- Structure & Body88 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires51 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras29 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the worst years for the Lincoln MKX?
- NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2016 as the years to avoid, based on complaint indexes of 100, 92, 85, and 77 respectively, driven mainly by airbag and brake issues plus multiple recall campaigns.
- What are the best Lincoln MKX years?
- 2014 and 2015 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 23 and 15, the lowest of all 14 model years with data. 2012, 2017, and 2018 are also rated Good.
- Does the Lincoln MKX have airbag recalls?
- Yes. The 2007, 2008, and 2010 model years each carry multiple airbag recall campaigns, some marked do-not-drive, tied to Takata inflators.
- Why is the 2016 MKX rated Avoid despite fewer complaints than 2007?
- The 2016 MKX has a complaint index of 77 and seven recall campaigns, including two separate brake hose recalls and a seat harness recall, which push its ranking to fourth-worst even though its raw complaint count is lower than 2007's.
- How many total complaints does the Lincoln MKX have on file?
- NHTSA lists 1,416 total complaints across all Lincoln MKX model years, with airbags (29%) and brakes (21%) the top two problem areas overall.