Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX a bad year?
164 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other MKX years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Lincoln MKX are in line with other MKX years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 MKX owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 66 (40%) | 53k–112k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 30 (18%) | 10k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 16 (10%) | 17k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (10%) | 32k–67k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 164 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2013 Lincoln MKX: 1
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Lincoln: 56
Repair instructions Lincoln sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Lincoln MKX. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
Some vehicles may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM)
Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement
2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police/Continental vehicles equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine…
Neighbouring years
2012 MKX: 84 complaints, keep it · 2014 MKX: 35 complaints, keep it.
Every Lincoln MKX year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All MKX years side by side
Other Lincoln models: Lincoln Aviator · Lincoln Continental · Lincoln Corsair · Lincoln LS · Lincoln MKC · Lincoln MKS · Lincoln MKT · Lincoln MKZ · Lincoln MKZ Hybrid · Lincoln Nautilus · Lincoln Navigator · Lincoln Town Car · Lincoln Zephyr. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX a bad year?
164 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other MKX years. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lincoln MKX?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (66), electrical system (30), engine (16), transmission and drivetrain (16), body structure (9).
How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln MKX have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 14V-393). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.