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Model file · LincolnUpdated · 18 sources

Selling a broken or junk Lincoln MKX

Two model years dominate the MKX's complaint file. The 2007 and 2008 hold 551 of the 1,417 complaints owners have filed with NHTSA, and 309 of those name the air bags. Across all years, 398 of the model's 400 air bag complaints are on the 2007 to 2010 trucks.

A white 2009 Lincoln MKX crossover parked on a street in front of a pale green house and a wooden fence
Photo: Cutlass · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Model years in EPA data
2007-2018
Complaints filed with NHTSA
1,417
Year with the most complaints
2007 (298)
Complaints naming the air bags
400
Recall campaigns
23
Engines
3.5 V6, 3.7 V6, 2.7 EcoBoost V6
Built in
Oakville, Ontario

When an MKX isn't worth fixing, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Problems by generation

Generation details come from Wikipedia. The MKX shared its platform with the Ford Edge, was built in Oakville, Ontario, and was replaced by the Nautilus.

First generation, 2007-2010: 3.5 V6

These four years have 728 complaints. Air bags lead every one of them. Six inflator campaigns list MKX years in this range, and four (16V384000, 17V024000, 18V046000 and 19V001000) tell owners not to drive until the passenger inflator is replaced. The campaigns are shared across Ford. 21V158000, for driver inflators, counts 2,602,668 vehicles that include the Ranger, Fusion, MKZ and Edge.

Fuel tanks are the second recall story. Recalls 14V682000 (2007-2008) and 15V712000 (2009-2010) cover MKX and Edge trucks sold or registered in certain listed states, such as Connecticut and Delaware. Dealers inspect the tank and either clean and treat it against corrosion or replace it. The 2007 also has 28 fuel and propulsion complaints.

First generation, 2011-2015: 3.7 V6

The 3.7 V6 years add 450 complaints. On the 2011, 35 name the electrical system. Two recalls replaced or checked the body control module on certain 2011 trucks (10V659000 and 11V128000), each in a small campaign shared with Ford pickups and the Edge. Recall 14V393000 checks that the halfshaft is held in properly on 2012-2014 MKXs.

The 2013 stands out with 163 complaints, 60 of them about the service brakes. The 2014 and 2015 have just 35 and 19.

Second generation, 2016-2018: 2.7 EcoBoost or 3.7 V6

The redesign brought a 2.7 EcoBoost V6 alongside a 3.7 V6, and Wikipedia adds a second plant in Hangzhou, China. There are 239 reports across these three years. Owners of a 2018 MKX have simply had fewer seasons to send one in than owners of a 2008.

The 2016 has 156, led by service brakes (34) and the engine (24). Brake hoses are the recall theme: 20V469000 replaces front hoses on 2016-2018 trucks, and 25V544000 deals with a rear jounce hose. Both warn the hose can rupture, the rear recall adds a brake fluid leak, and both campaigns count roughly half a million vehicles because they include the Edge.

Other second-generation recalls: 19V809000, where the battery cable on 2016-2017 trucks with the 3.7 can touch a shifter bracket and short; 17V123000, where the driver's air bag might not fully inflate on 2016-2017 trucks; and 20V414000, a wiring fix for 16-way power seats.

Model-year table

MKX complaint counts as of NHTSA's October 10, 2026 file. Because one Ford campaign often covers a run of MKX years, the recall numbers overlap from row to row.

Model yearOwner complaintsRecall campaignsNamed mostNamed second
20072985Air bags (153)Fuel and propulsion (28)
20082536Air bags (156)Power train (22)
2009666Air bags (35)Service brakes (10)
20101116Air bags (54)Service brakes (20)
20111493Electrical (35)Engine, other (19 each)
2012841Service brakes (25)Electrical (14)
20131631Service brakes (60)Electrical (23)
2014351Service brakes (8)Engine, power train (5 each)
2015190Electrical, other (5 each)Engine (3)
20161567Service brakes (34)Engine (24)
2017525Electrical, hydraulic brakes (11 each)Other (6)
2018315Other (6)Electrical, service brakes (4 each)

Repair or sell?

  1. Start with the recall lookup at NHTSA. If a Do Not Drive inflator campaign shows as unfinished, call a Lincoln dealer before you move the truck.
  2. Brake problems on a 2016-2018? Ask whether the hose recalls were done. The bad brakes guide covers the rest.
  3. Engine or transmission failure? Get a written diagnosis, then read blown engine or bad transmission.
  4. Put the quote next to the truck's running value. If the repair eats most of it, see repairs cost more than it's worth.

Selling your MKX as it sits

  1. Have the VIN and mileage ready, and note front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
  2. Describe the problem and the spot. Say if it rolls, if the brake pedal still firms up, and where the MKX is sitting.
  3. Keep the MKX in one piece. Don't pull the wheels, battery or converter, and tell us about any part already missing.
  4. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
  5. Bring the title and a photo ID. Plate and insurance rules are in after you sell. For more on selling a dead SUV, see junk truck or SUV.

Compare other Lincolns: the Navigator, MKC, Nautilus, or every Lincoln we cover.

Questions people ask

Which MKX years have the most complaints?
The 2007 (298) and 2008 (253), counted October 10, 2026. The 2013 (163) and 2016 (156) come next. The last MKX model years simply haven't been out long enough to pile up many owner reports.
Is my MKX under an air bag recall?
If it's a 2007-2010, probably at least one. Campaigns 16V384000, 17V024000, 18V046000, 19V001000, 21V081000 and 21V158000 all list MKX model years in that range, and several carry a Do Not Drive warning. A 2016-2017 may be in 17V123000, where the driver's air bag might not fully inflate. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
My 2016-2018 MKX has a soft brake pedal. Is there a recall?
Two cover brake hoses on 2016-2018 MKXs: 20V469000 for the front hoses and 25V544000 for the rear jounce hose. Both say the hose can rupture, and the rear recall adds that it can leak brake fluid. Both campaigns include the Ford Edge. Have a Lincoln dealer check the VIN.
Will you buy an MKX that won't start?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and SUVs like the MKX are included, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), Lincoln MKX 2007-2018, downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA recall 16V384000: passenger air bag inflator, Do Not Drive nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 17V024000: passenger air bag inflator, Do Not Drive nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 18V046000: passenger air bag inflator, Do Not Drive nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 19V001000: passenger air bag inflator, Do Not Drive nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 21V081000: air bag module inspection nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 21V158000: driver air bag inflator nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 14V682000: fuel tank corrosion, 2007-2008 nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 15V712000: fuel tank corrosion, 2009-2010 nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 10V659000: body control module, 2011 nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 14V393000: halfshaft retention, 2012-2014 nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 17V123000: driver air bag, 2016-2017 nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 19V809000: battery cable short, 2016-2017 3.7L nhtsa.gov
  15. NHTSA recall 20V469000: front brake hoses, 2016-2018 nhtsa.gov
  16. NHTSA recall 25V544000: rear brake jounce hose, 2016-2018 nhtsa.gov
  17. EPA fuel economy data (model years and name variants) fueleconomy.gov
  18. Wikipedia: Lincoln MKX (generations, engines, assembly) en.wikipedia.org