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2012 Lincoln Mkx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Mkx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 75.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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97,400 miles · Aug 29, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light and the power train warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and turned off the v…

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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light and the power train warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle and waited for 15-20 seconds. The contact then continued driving; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown NHTSA Campaign because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,400.

NHTSA ODI #11481754

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2021
Power Train

I have a 2012 Lincoln MKX and a piece of the transmission broke off while I was driving on the highway at night. I was able to get the vehicle to the shoulder but this could have caused a serious accident even resulting in fatalities. I have contacted the dealership but he is not cooperating and says that he is going to do noth…

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I have a 2012 Lincoln MKX and a piece of the transmission broke off while I was driving on the highway at night. I was able to get the vehicle to the shoulder but this could have caused a serious accident even resulting in fatalities. I have contacted the dealership but he is not cooperating and says that he is going to do nothing about it. I have an estimate from the repair where I had to have the vehicle towed. There were no type of warning lights at all on the dash board.

NHTSA ODI #11443238

65,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Power TrainWheels

I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON SINGLE LANE ROAD. ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF CAME ON AND CAR STOPPED. LUCKILY NOBODY REARENDED ME. SAME THING HAPPENED TO OUR FRIEND'S 2014 MKX. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND DROVE TO DEALER. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ERROR SO THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT WOULD PROBABLY KILL ME.

NHTSA ODI #11341146

89,000 miles · Sep 27, 2019
Power Train

I WOULD BE DRIVING AND A MESSAGE WOULD COME UP WITH A WRENCH ON IT AND I WOULD LOSE POWER AND EVENTUALLY STOAL....NOT GOOD ON HIGHWAY!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11258476

68,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Power TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE FENDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE FENDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER (TOM ROUSH LINCOLN, MAZDA, & MITSUBISHI, 525 DAVID BROWN DR., WESTFIELD, IN 46074, (317)-896-5561) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11114556

66,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER (PHIL FITTS FORD & LINCOLN IN NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER (PHIL FITTS FORD & LINCOLN IN NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #11097028

37,000 miles · Nov 20, 2017
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELATOR- NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A "WRENCH" APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. POWER TRAIN PROBLEM. TAKE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR LINCOLN DEALER. THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. IT SEEMED TO BE CHOKING THEN STOPPED. TOWED IT TO DEALER - THEY RAN DIA…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELATOR- NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A "WRENCH" APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. POWER TRAIN PROBLEM. TAKE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR LINCOLN DEALER. THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. IT SEEMED TO BE CHOKING THEN STOPPED. TOWED IT TO DEALER - THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND FOUND "NOTHING WRONG WITH IT". TWO WEEKS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A CITY STREET AGAIN AND ABLE TO MOVE OVER. HAD THIS HAPPENED N THE FREEWAY I AM SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. DEALER AGAIN COULD FIND NOTHING AGAIN. APPARENTLY THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE "THROTTLE". THAT "MIGHT" BE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND STAY ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT LANE JUST IN CASE IT DECIDES TO DIE AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW. APPARENTLY LINCOLN EXPECTS AN OWNER TO KEEP REPLACING PARTS - EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE DEFECTIVE - AND HOPE EVENTUALLY THE CORRECT PART IS REPLACED. I AM WONDERING ABOUT ALL THE ELECTRONIC "PROGRESS" WE HAVE SUPPOSEDLY MADE, WHY DEFECTIVE PARTS CANNOT BE ACCURATELY DETECTED. WAY TOO MUCH UNNECESSARY FUNCTIONS ON VEHICLES - CREATING TOO MANY CHANCES FOR ELECTRICAL ERRORS. WHERE DOES IT END? THE CAR HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS VERY RELIABLE - UNTIL NOW- NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY - EACH REPLACEMENT PART, I AM SURE, WILL BE COSTLY - THIS IS GOING TO BE A GUESSING GAME FROM NOW ON.

NHTSA ODI #11047509

89,000 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN SHIFTING INTO "PARK" THERE IS A WARNING THAT APPEARS ON THE DASH AS "SHIFT TO PARK". THE "P" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND DOES NOT ENGAGE SAFETY FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH PLACING THE VEHICLE IN "PARK". THIS ALSO CAUSES THE DISPLAY TO STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY IF NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ADDRESSE…

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WHEN SHIFTING INTO "PARK" THERE IS A WARNING THAT APPEARS ON THE DASH AS "SHIFT TO PARK". THE "P" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND DOES NOT ENGAGE SAFETY FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH PLACING THE VEHICLE IN "PARK". THIS ALSO CAUSES THE DISPLAY TO STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY IF NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ADDRESSED ON TSB 15-0047 BUT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AS IT COULD LEAD TO A STRANDED MOTORIST.

NHTSA ODI #11045669

13,600 miles · Jun 15, 2017
EnginePower Train

STOPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT GRADE. CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY W/LOSS OF STEERING & BRAKES. DRIFTED BACKWARD UNTIL I PUSHED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. LOCAL DEALER RAN DIANOSTICS, NOTHING FOUND LINCOLN PROVIDED ZERO HELP IN RESOULVING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10995286

58,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS, THEN CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AND POWER SHUT DOWN. SO LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A ACCIDENT. SAT FOR AWHILE THEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE OFF. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON TO A FREEWAY ,WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, CAR JE…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS, THEN CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AND POWER SHUT DOWN. SO LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A ACCIDENT. SAT FOR AWHILE THEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE OFF. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON TO A FREEWAY ,WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, CAR JERKS AND ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT DOWN. ALSO DOOR SENSORS BEEP EVERY TIME YOU GET OUT OF CAR, AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP SLAMMING DOORS IN ORDER FOR INTERIOR, LIGHTS TO GO OFF. DASH READS DOORS ARE STILL OPEN. NO POWER TO MY RADIO AND CANT EVEN GET MY DISPLAY SCREEN TO TURN ON.

NHTSA ODI #10853816

Official recalls

1

14V393000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Jul 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.