Is the 2016 Lincoln MKX a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other MKX years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 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 2016 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 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 56 (36%) | 41k–85k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 33 (21%) | 5k–23k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 27 (17%) | 6k–37k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 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 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 156 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
34 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
In may and june of 2019 on 2 different occasions, our 2016 Lincoln MKX ignition 'turned off' on its own without any input by the driver while using cruise-control on a crowded highway going 75 MPH!
2016 Lincoln MKX has stalled numerous times. We left home and had driven about a mile in our subdivision when I slowed for and stopped at stop sign.
My vehicle has been losing power while I'm driving, leading to some very close calls on serious accidents. The "Check engine" Light will come on, and sometimes the "Hill assist" Message will also appear.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKX: 7
The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid. A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely. 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.
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. 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.
The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts. If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position. An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a 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: 205
Repair instructions Lincoln sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some 2015-2017 Edge, 2016-2017 MKX, 2017 Fusion/MKZ/Continental vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2017 MKX: 52 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 2016 Lincoln MKX a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other MKX years. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKX?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (56), engine (33), electrical system (27), fuel system (12), transmission and drivetrain (12).
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 25V-544), Brakes (NHTSA 20V-469), Seats (NHTSA 20V-414), Electrical system (NHTSA 19V-809) and more. 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.