Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2016 Lincoln MKX: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, most recently filed August 2025. Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 7campaigns 2 brake · 2 air bag · 1 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 156filed Owner reports, 2009–2018 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 20mpg combined $3,266/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 3.7 L 6-cyl· 6-speed automatic 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V544000 Filed Aug 22, 2025

Rear Brake Hose May Rupture

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Repair progress not yet reported499,129 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V544000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V469000 Filed Aug 10, 2020

Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture

Service brakes
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
82.5% repairedof 488,594 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V469000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V414000 Filed Jul 17, 2020

Damaged Wiring May Cause Air Bag Malfunction

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. 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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
95.7% repairedof 19,299 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V414000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V809000 Filed Nov 12, 2019

Battery Cable May Chafe and Cause Electrical Short

Electrical system · 12v/24v/48v battery · cables
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Consequence
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on December 2, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available, currently expected to be the end of April 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S41.
91.2% repairedof 54,411 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V809000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V632000 Filed Aug 29, 2019

Steering Gear Motor May Detach

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
63.7% repairedof 116,160 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V632000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V123000 Filed Feb 27, 2017

Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 208

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
85.8% repairedof 27,531 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V123000
Listed for 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V343000 Filed May 24, 2016

Child Seat Tether Anchor Blocked/FMVSS225

Child seat · tether · connector/clip
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Consequence
An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C09.
60% repairedof 5 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V343000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which MKX years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Lincoln MKXAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (156)

156 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
3involved a fire
3injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 156.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other MKX years

Best and worst MKX years →
66 111 149 84 163 35 19 156 52 31
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 15.4%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Lincoln MKX suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined

20
mpg combined
17
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,350
CO₂ tailpipe
438 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Lincoln MKX configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350438
2.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 20$3,350434
2.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19$3,550456
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19$3,550472

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 MKX for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All MKX years

Where to next

Which MKX years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Lincoln MKX report52 complaints · 5 campaigns →2015 Lincoln MKX report19 complaints · 0 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Lincoln MKX FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 25V544000 (brake), 20V469000 (brake), 20V414000 (air bag), 19V809000 (electrical), 19V632000 (steering), 17V123000 (air bag), 16V343000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Lincoln MKX problems?

Owners filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (56), Engine (32), Electrical system (27) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Lincoln MKX get?

EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Lincoln MKX get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Lincoln MKX suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.4% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 MKX compare with other years?

Among the 2009–2018 Lincoln MKX model years at least five years old, the 2015 drew the fewest complaints (19) and the 2013 the most (163). The 2016 drew 156. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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