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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

What owners actually said

84 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Driving late at night from dinner, brakes failed. Took MKX to servicing dealer, replaced m/cyl problem still there, order brake controller two weeks ago, part on shortage no due date. Part fit alot of models and years. FMC should pay for parts, very safety failure, we live in rural area and have the car serviced at Ford/Linc…

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Driving late at night from dinner, brakes failed. Took MKX to servicing dealer, replaced m/cyl problem still there, order brake controller two weeks ago, part on shortage no due date. Part fit alot of models and years. FMC should pay for parts, very safety failure, we live in rural area and have the car serviced at Ford/Lincoln. no warning lights

NHTSA ODI #11429022

109,705 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN CAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ,AS I HIT THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR, I ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP THI…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN CAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ,AS I HIT THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR, I ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP THIS WAS N THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND 2 TIMES WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE SUV THIS IS CAR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER IN 2018 FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11395212

110,000 miles · Jan 11, 2021
Electrical System

DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR SENSOR SAYS CAR DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN DOOR IS FIRMLY SHUT. CAUSES DOORS NOT TO LOCK, INTERIOR AND PUDDLE LIGHTS REMAIN ON, DRAINS BATTERY, DOORS WON'T LOCK EVEN WITH CAR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11387541

11,000 miles · Dec 31, 2020
Service BrakesStructure

MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS REQUIRING EXTREME FORCE TO STOP AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, FOLLOWED BY A HISSING AIRY SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A BRAKES AND CHARGED ME $900. AFTER PI…

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MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS REQUIRING EXTREME FORCE TO STOP AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, FOLLOWED BY A HISSING AIRY SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A BRAKES AND CHARGED ME $900. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE AND TEST DRIVING IT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AFTER RE-DIAGNOSING THEY POINTED THE FINGER TO A HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THIS ISSUE POSES GREAT DANGER AND THE INABILITY TO STOP WITHOUT LITERALLY STANDING AND APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT ANY SPEED, THE FORCE NEEDED TO STOP AND A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WITH RAMMING IN THE BACK OF SOMEONE, THE CAR IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. ADDITIONALLY, I'VE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS CAR WHERE THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN. IT DOES NOT DETECT A PERSON PUTTING THINGS IN THE TRUNK AND I'VE HAD TO RUN AND PUSH IT UP TO SAVE A KID WHO WAS LOADING SPORTS EQUIPMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11385756

129,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BOARD. REPLACED ROTORS BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD AGAIN. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE ABS BOOSTER. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THIS IS THE 60 TH COMPLAINT. ALSO BACK UP CAMERA IS UPSIDE DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11376636

30,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE A 2012 LINCOLN MKX WITH UNDER 32,000 MILES SPORADICALLY WHEN SHIFTED TO PARK THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT SHOW THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SET TO PARK. & A MESSAGE APPEARS INSTRUCTING TO "SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO PARK"

NHTSA ODI #11374870

190,650 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Service Brakes

WHEN MAKING A STOP THE BRAKES ARE HARD, THEN SUDDENLY THE GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEN AT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR DIES, I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK TO START IT UP. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I'D TAKEN IT TO THE FORD LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTE…

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WHEN MAKING A STOP THE BRAKES ARE HARD, THEN SUDDENLY THE GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEN AT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR DIES, I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK TO START IT UP. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I'D TAKEN IT TO THE FORD LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER COST WAS 905.00 ALSO THE BACK UP CAMERA US UPSIDE DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11374620

144,000 miles · Nov 8, 2020
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

WHILE IN MOTION IT STATES THAT THE SENSORS FOR COLLISION ARE BLOCKED. WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED THE ELECTRICAL/ ELECTRONICS THAT RUN THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND TOUCH SCREEN ARE OFF AND WILL NOT TURN ON. THE BACK HATCH BUTTONS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE REAR DOOR PROPERLY. THE SUN ROOF DOES NOT FULLY OPEN WHETHER PARKED OR IN M…

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WHILE IN MOTION IT STATES THAT THE SENSORS FOR COLLISION ARE BLOCKED. WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED THE ELECTRICAL/ ELECTRONICS THAT RUN THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND TOUCH SCREEN ARE OFF AND WILL NOT TURN ON. THE BACK HATCH BUTTONS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE REAR DOOR PROPERLY. THE SUN ROOF DOES NOT FULLY OPEN WHETHER PARKED OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11373662

43,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
Service BrakesInjury

MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX HAS A VERY LOW BREAK PEDAL AND IS A RESULT OF THE (HCU) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. AS MY CAR'S BREAK PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT MAKES STOPPING THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT ANY SPEED.THIS IS VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.I AM ASSUMING FORD WILL WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED…

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MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX HAS A VERY LOW BREAK PEDAL AND IS A RESULT OF THE (HCU) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. AS MY CAR'S BREAK PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT MAKES STOPPING THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT ANY SPEED.THIS IS VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.I AM ASSUMING FORD WILL WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BEFORE THEY RECALL THE PROBLEM.BUYER BEWARE STAY AWAY FROM THIS MODEL AND THE MAJORITY OF FORD PRODUCTS. STILL VERY CONFUSED AS TO HOW AND WHY FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH SUCH A SERIOUS BREAKING PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL SINCE 2012.

NHTSA ODI #11372274

128,000 miles · Jul 29, 2020
StructureInjury

WHEN SHUTTING PASSENGER DOOR LATCH, LATCH WILL NOT MOVE TO GRIP INNER PART OF THE DOOR. THIS WILL CAUSE THE DOOR TO BOUNCE BACK OR NOT CLOSE. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN EXISTING OR ENTERING CAR. OPEN DOOR WARNING WILL REMAIN ON UNTIL LATCH IS PROPERLY HOOKED.

NHTSA ODI #11342003

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.