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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

Service Brakes complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2025
Service Brakes

Recalled master cylinder brake booster was repaired at the dealership under the recall approx 4 or 5 years ago. The same issue has began again. Out of nowhere while braking, the pedal will become soft and press to the floor. During this time, the car will not slow down. This is resembling a defective part.

NHTSA ODI #11684240

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2024
Service Brakes

What system Failed: Hydraulic Control Unit within the braking system. Brake Pedal and Master cylinder in good working order. Safety Concern: Vehicle failed to stop. Peddle completely to the floor. Accident avoided. Problem Reproduced or confirmed by Service Center: Yes, at a cost of $1,699.00 Inspected: Yes. Vehicle has …

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What system Failed: Hydraulic Control Unit within the braking system. Brake Pedal and Master cylinder in good working order. Safety Concern: Vehicle failed to stop. Peddle completely to the floor. Accident avoided. Problem Reproduced or confirmed by Service Center: Yes, at a cost of $1,699.00 Inspected: Yes. Vehicle has low miles. Odometer: 114,591 Warnings: No lights or warnings, attempted to stop and brake pedal to the floor. Stopped driving until repairs made. Unsafe! Vehicle failed to stop in normal traffic without warning, speed was approximately 45 mph. Personal Information: Site stated do not list personal information. Therefore, repair invoice available upon request. No upload given at this time.

NHTSA ODI #11591518

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2023
Service Brakes

While leaving out my driveway my brakes went straight to the floor before stopping. After I put the car in park and put my foot on the break again it was hard to push the brake pedal. I also hear air coming from the break pedal area. I had no warning and still do not have any warnings. I’ve noticed after reading a lot of reviews…

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While leaving out my driveway my brakes went straight to the floor before stopping. After I put the car in park and put my foot on the break again it was hard to push the brake pedal. I also hear air coming from the break pedal area. I had no warning and still do not have any warnings. I’ve noticed after reading a lot of reviews this seem to be a common problem and it’s not safe. Mileage 104,000

NHTSA ODI #11502644

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
Service Brakes

The braking system failed to adequately stop the car. In contacting the Lincoln Customer Service, this failure mode is associated with a Lincoln Customer program # 13N02. This program has a 10 years or 150000 miles limit for repair. The vehicle (MKX - 2012) has 65000 miles and was purchased 12/20/2011. It is 1 month out o…

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The braking system failed to adequately stop the car. In contacting the Lincoln Customer Service, this failure mode is associated with a Lincoln Customer program # 13N02. This program has a 10 years or 150000 miles limit for repair. The vehicle (MKX - 2012) has 65000 miles and was purchased 12/20/2011. It is 1 month out of the defined period. The car has only been driven a few hundred miles since 2020 due to illness and death of the owners. The brake system is a safety device and should not be considered a "Customer Care" program with limits as noted above. The failure of a breaking system will cause potential personal injury including death and should be reconsidered as a safety recall or the program should be extended. The incident of a major traffic accident on the highway was avoided that would have involved multiple cars if not taking evasive action in the median. The problem was confirmed by a dealer, verbally given the operation of the brake system. There were no warning lamps or any other indication prior to the incident. The VIN: [XXX] Thank you for your follow-up of this situation. [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11449752

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2021
Service Brakes

Brake pressure loss without warning

NHTSA ODI #11436105

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2021
Service Brakes

I had to slam on the brakes due to a driver pulling out in front of me without looking. The brakes went to the floor and I had difficulty getting the car stopped. I took it in to my mechanic and they diagnosed as a master cylinder, which I had replaced 7 months prior for a similar incident. But, replacing the master cylinder did…

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I had to slam on the brakes due to a driver pulling out in front of me without looking. The brakes went to the floor and I had difficulty getting the car stopped. I took it in to my mechanic and they diagnosed as a master cylinder, which I had replaced 7 months prior for a similar incident. But, replacing the master cylinder didn’t solve the problem. After more work, they replaced the entire ABS system for the rear brakes ($1900). I drove it 3 times and the brakes locked up on their own while I was driving at 60 miles an hour. When we got to the side of the road, smoke was billowing out of the brakes and the car would not move even though we were pushing the gas. We had the car towed ($300) back to the mechanic. They said the brake fuel line had gotten clogged and the front master cylinder needed to be replaced ($900). Drove twice and same issue, this time smoke billowing out of rear brakes. All brake fluid has completely drained and car needs to be repaired again. It is not drivable, so we will have to have it towed again. I’m so frustrated because this is extremely dangerous and I am stuck with a vehicle that seems to be irreparable and not drivable. Shame on Ford for not recalling this when it is obviously such an issue.

NHTSA ODI #11435249

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Service Brakes

I was driving and when I pressed on the brake, the pedal went far down and had no indication of the care stopping. It did, but it took a long time to brake. I took it for repair at Firestone, because my dealer warranty was expired. However, the Firestone let me know there is a booster brake replacement letter; the number of the…

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I was driving and when I pressed on the brake, the pedal went far down and had no indication of the care stopping. It did, but it took a long time to brake. I took it for repair at Firestone, because my dealer warranty was expired. However, the Firestone let me know there is a booster brake replacement letter; the number of the recall is: 13N02. My car still qualifies as it is under 150,000 miles. The dealership repair denies my car is eligible; the main Lincoln office customer service representative also denied my car based on the vin. Is this correct? The letter of Customer Satisfaction Warranty shoes no exception based on vin?

NHTSA ODI #11432991

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

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

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

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.