YearToAvoid

2016 Lincoln MKX Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 38 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, 25% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 7,425. No related recall is listed in this dataset despite owners mentioning a throttle body repair.

Engine complaints
38
25% of 155
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
7,426 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of throttle response or acceleration while driving, often on highways at speed, forcing drivers to coast to a shoulder.
  • Engine stalling or shutting down completely at low speeds, including while slowing to park or stop at intersections.
  • Dashboard warnings such as a wrench/powertrain light, 'full accessory power active' message, or hill assist unavailable appearing alongside the power loss.
  • Engine revving high with no corresponding acceleration, sometimes described as the throttle body sticking or malfunctioning.
  • Complete loss of power steering and accelerator response after the engine cuts out, requiring the vehicle to be towed.
  • Under-hood smoke or coolant leaks reported in a small number of cases, including one incident with fire.

When 2016 Lincoln MKX engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 9, 2016, latest May 21, 2026.

2016 Lincoln MKX engine complaints: complaints filed per month4May 2016Sep 2016Apr 2017Apr 2018Feb 2021Jul 2023May 2026
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to May 2026; peak Sep 2016 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by MKX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (8%)
  2. 201131 (21%)
  3. 20128 (10%)
  4. 201323 (14%)
  5. 20148 (23%)
  6. 20157 (37%)
  7. 201638 (25%)
  8. 20177 (13%)
  9. 20185 (16%)
  10. 20190 (0%)
  11. 20200 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
NHTSA lists 38 engine-related complaints for the 2016 MKX, which is 25% of the 155 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Lincoln MKX engine problems?
This dataset shows no related recalls listed for the 2016 MKX engine complaints, though some owners describe a throttle body repair performed by dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 MKX engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints is 7,425 miles, indicating these issues tend to appear early in ownership.
Were there any injuries or fires linked to the 2016 MKX engine issues?
NHTSA data for this problem area records 1 injury and 2 fires among the reported complaints, with no crashes listed.
How does the 2016 MKX compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2016 model year has 38 engine complaints, the highest count among the listed model years, though the 2015 model year has a higher share (37%) of its total complaints in this area.

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.