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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.

About this comparison →

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
130,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Electrical System

LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR SENSOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR CONSISTENTLY THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IN FACT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS SETS THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED 2-4 TIMES A DAY. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON AS IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, CAUSING N…

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LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR SENSOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR CONSISTENTLY THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IN FACT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS SETS THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED 2-4 TIMES A DAY. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON AS IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, CAUSING NIGHT TIME DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. WE HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AT NIGHT TO STOP DRAINING THE BATTERY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN SINCE THE SWITCH IS BUILT INTO THE DOOR LATCH. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN PUSHED OFF ONTO THE CONSUMER WHICH IS UNETHICAL AND WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11241767

78,800 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Service Brakes

NOTICED BRAKES GETTING A LITTLE SOFT WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AND HAVING TO PRESS ON THEM FROM A FURTHER DISTANCE TO ENSURE I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR SIGN. THERE IS A CONSTANT HISSING SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE AIR ESCAPING EVEN WITH THE LIGHTEST OF TAPS. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AVOID HITTING …

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NOTICED BRAKES GETTING A LITTLE SOFT WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AND HAVING TO PRESS ON THEM FROM A FURTHER DISTANCE TO ENSURE I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR SIGN. THERE IS A CONSTANT HISSING SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE AIR ESCAPING EVEN WITH THE LIGHTEST OF TAPS. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AVOID HITTING A DOG AND THEY EMITTED A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK AUDIBLE INSIDE THE SUV ONLY. THE BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE UP UNTIL RECENTLY AS I HIT THE 78K MILE MARK. THIS MORNING I HAD A HUGE SCARE AS I WAS NEARING AN INTERSECTION AND THEY GAVE OUT, I HAD TO PUMP THEM SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP AND LUCKILY I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND DIDN'T HAVE MY THREE KIDS WITH ME. THERE WAS ALSO NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME IF NOT I WOULD HAVE WRECKED PRETTY BADLY! THIS WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD THERE BEEN MORE TRAFFIC AROUND AND I UNABLE TO TURN ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN MAJORLY INJURED ALONG WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS 'COULD-BE' SCENARIO. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE THIS THING ANYMORE!

NHTSA ODI #11182002

90,000 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVER DOOR LATCH ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CONSISTENTLY THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IN FACT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS SETS THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED 2-4 TIMES A DAY. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON AS IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, CAUSING NIGHT TIME DRI…

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DRIVER DOOR LATCH ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CONSISTENTLY THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IN FACT THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS SETS THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED 2-4 TIMES A DAY. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON AS IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN, CAUSING NIGHT TIME DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN SINCE THE SWITCH IS BUILT INTO THE DOOR LATCH.

NHTSA ODI #11174668

125,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Service Brakes

MKX HAS ALREADY HAD TWO MASTER BOOSTERS REPLACED, BRAKE LINES BLED OF AIR, AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THERE IS NO BRAKE PEDAL RESITANCE WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENDED BEFORE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT HAVING RESISTANCE BUT SUDDENLY TRIES TO LOCK THE BRAKES UP WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED TO THE FLOORB…

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MKX HAS ALREADY HAD TWO MASTER BOOSTERS REPLACED, BRAKE LINES BLED OF AIR, AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THERE IS NO BRAKE PEDAL RESITANCE WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENDED BEFORE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT HAVING RESISTANCE BUT SUDDENLY TRIES TO LOCK THE BRAKES UP WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED TO THE FLOORBOARD. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE.

NHTSA ODI #11170145

42,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE ARE MANY CITRUS HAULING SEMIS ON THE ROAD IN FACT THREE OR FOUR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME DURING THIS OCCURRENCE. MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVING THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING STARTED TO LOSE POWER. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHILE TRAFF…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE ARE MANY CITRUS HAULING SEMIS ON THE ROAD IN FACT THREE OR FOUR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME DURING THIS OCCURRENCE. MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVING THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING STARTED TO LOSE POWER. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHILE TRAFFIC BARRELING DOWN ON ME DURING NOON TRAFFIC. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO STEER OFF. HAD TO RESTART ENGINE AND STILL NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE IT INTO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THIS VEHICLE HAD NO RECALLS AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHECK. THIS HAD HAPPENED ROUGHLY SIX TIMES IN LAST SIX MONTHS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 42000 MILES ON IT I AM UNSURE OF WHAT THE PROXIMATE CAUSE WAS PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11154593

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

53,400 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE GEAR SHIFTER IS IN PARK BUT THE CAR DOES NOT SHOW THAT IT IS IN PARK SO IT'S SAYING THAT YOU NEED TO SHIFT IT INTO PARK WHICH APPEARS TO BE UNSAFE IF IT IS SHOWING RED ON THE GEAR CHANGER MECHANISM ON THE SCREEN AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY IN PARK

NHTSA ODI #11110293

129,600 miles · Jul 5, 2018
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR NO PEDAL AT ALL. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THE PEDAL WAS STIFF AND HARD TO PUSH. THERE ARE NO BRAKE LEAKS MASTER CYLINDER IS FULL THE BRAKE PADS ARE FINE. I WAS WONDERING IF IT HAD A BRAKE BOOSTER ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11109663

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

50,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAYAGU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAYAGUEZ FORD CALLED MARGINAL MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO, 00681; PHONE 787-805-3673. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE PURGE VALVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE PURGE VALVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT *AS

NHTSA ODI #11073209

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.