2016 Lincoln MKX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Lincoln MKX has 155 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 77, and 7 recalls, ranking 4th worst of 14 model years with an Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 37% of complaints, followed by engine (25%) and electrical issues (20%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 MKX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 155
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Lincoln MKX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes57 (37%)
- Engine38 (25%)
- Electrical System31 (20%)
- Other21 (14%)
- Fuel System12 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (7%)
- Structure & Body7 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (3%)
- Steering5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle catching fire in the engine compartment shortly after starting or during a short drive, sometimes preceded by dashboard warning lights and loss of power.
- Some describe smoke appearing under the hood along with a coolant leak and empty radiator and reservoir containers.
- Several report the brake pedal traveling to the floor with no warning lamps, resulting in a crash.
- Owners describe the brake pedal design causing their foot to strike a metal support bar instead of the pedal pad, making braking difficult and uncomfortable.
- One owner reported replacing rear brake pads, rotors, and the entire braking system three times in a year before receiving a recall notice for a brake hose leak.
- Some describe the Sync 3 infotainment system freezing center-stack controls and disabling phone functions, including 911 assist, requiring a power cycle to reset.
2016 Lincoln MKX recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V544000Aug 22, 2025Brakes499,129 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V469000Aug 10, 2020Brakes488,594 vehicles
Service brakes
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V414000Jul 17, 2020Structure & Body19,299 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
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.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Lincoln MKX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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.
2016 compared with other MKX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lincoln MKX reliable?
- Compared to other MKX model years, 2016 ranks 4th worst out of 14 years tracked, with a complaint index of 77 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKX?
- NHTSA complaints show Brakes as the top problem area at 37% of complaints, followed by Engine at 25% and Electrical System at 20%.
- Does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have brake recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 25V544000 for a rear brake jounce hose that may rupture and leak fluid, and recall 20V469000 for front brake hoses that may rupture prematurely.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, covering brakes, structure/body, electrical system, steering, airbags, and other components.
- What year Lincoln MKX should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2016 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2016 having a complaint index of 77 and 155 complaints.