The 2016 Lincoln MKX is associated with 152 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 24 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 4 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.7l 6-cyl and 2.7l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 20 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 152 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Service Brakes (24 / 16%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 6 crash / 3 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–20 MPG (4 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| MKX FWD | 3.7L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| MKX FWD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| MKX AWD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| MKX AWD | 3.7L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 15.4% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 15.5% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Lincoln MKX models.
View complete 2016 Lincoln MKX crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Lincoln MKX problems & component breakdown (49 categories) →
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Lincoln MKX recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →