YearToAvoid

2012 Lincoln MKX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#5 most-complained of 11 MKX years

The 2012 Lincoln MKX has 84 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, with a complaint index of 60, ranking 5th worst of 11 model years. Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 40% of complaints, giving the year a "Caution" verdict relative to other MKX years.

Complaints
84
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2012 Lincoln MKX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes34 (40%)
  2. Electrical System17 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain11 (13%)
  4. Structure & Body10 (12%)
  5. Engine8 (10%)
  6. Other8 (10%)
  7. Airbags4 (5%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (5%)
  9. Fuel System4 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure2 (2%)

What owners report

  • Brake booster failure causes hissing air sounds and a pedal that goes soft or locks up, sometimes needing hard, repeated pumping to stop.
  • Owners report brakes failing to hold near intersections or in traffic, leading to near-misses with cars ahead.
  • Door latches falsely indicate a closed door, including a rear door that showed no "door ajar" warning despite not being latched.
  • The transmission has shifted into reverse unexpectedly while the driver was exiting, causing a crash into a garage.
  • Vehicle power and the onboard computer have shut off suddenly while driving at 40 mph.
  • The fuel tank in some cases could not be filled to capacity during refueling, despite no signs of a leak.
2012 Lincoln MKX complaints: complaints filed per quarter102011 Q42014 Q32016 Q32018 Q12019 Q42021 Q42023 Q4
104 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2020 Q4 (10).

2012 Lincoln MKX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V393000Jul 2, 2014Transmission & Powertrain83,250 vehicles

    Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2012 Lincoln MKX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other MKX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution701116 !19.5
2011Avoid80149320
2012Caution6084120
2013Avoid100163120
2014Good3035120

All Lincoln MKX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Lincoln MKX reliable?
NHTSA lists 84 complaints and 1 recall for the 2012 MKX, with a complaint index of 60 and a "Caution" verdict compared to other MKX model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Lincoln MKX?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,400 miles. Owners describe brake booster failures causing soft or unresponsive pedals.
Does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 14V393000) covers the transmission and powertrain, addressing a halfshaft retention issue on 2012-2014 Edge and MKX vehicles.
How does the 2012 MKX compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 60 ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years with data. Years like 2011, 2013, and 2016 rank worse with "Avoid" verdicts, while 2014, 2015, and 2018 rank better.
Were there any crashes linked to 2012 MKX complaints?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 3 injuries tied to complaints for the 2012 MKX, with no reported fires or deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.