Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 2015 Lincoln MKX with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the Lincoln MKX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
79% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Lincoln MKX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
621.4%
Median failure at 15,450 miles
Engine & Cooling
621.4%
Median failure at 28,500 miles
Electrical System
517.9%
Median failure at 28,500 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
517.9%
Median failure at 27,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
27.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
27.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
13.6%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Steering
13.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
214.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1071.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2015peak 3Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Lincoln MKX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Smyrna, GACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11691595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GACrash
STEERING
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11691595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Tonganoxie, KS
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear camera can’t see behind me very well the dealership I but the car changed the camera and the screen in the car and the problem is still here it work when it cold outside but when got warm it stop working again
NHTSA complaint #11726634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stoystown, PA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear camera flips upside down at times or turns black as well
NHTSA complaint #11724473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St John, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear back up camera turns blank/ black intermittently when going in reverse. Have seen that multiple other vehicles are being recalled for this issue but not my particular car even tho other 2015 Lincoln MKX are included in recall. Noticed problem about 6 months ago. Often camera screen blank when I need it the most . Have called Ford/ Lincoln twice and told vehicle has no recalls. This problem is definitely a safety issue so no car or person gets hit .
NHTSA complaint #11695306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11691595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GACrash
STEERING
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11691595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Back up camera is showing upside down and blurry!
NHTSA complaint #11686687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Esko, MN
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle loses power, steering and braking without warning. Orange wrench alert illuminates. Car must be shut off and restarted. Very dangerous condition. Several other complaints online. This has happened twice, luckily at low speeds and little traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11482015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Esko, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle loses power, steering and braking without warning. Orange wrench alert illuminates. Car must be shut off and restarted. Very dangerous condition. Several other complaints online. This has happened twice, luckily at low speeds and little traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11482015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Esko, MN
ENGINE
Vehicle loses power, steering and braking without warning. Orange wrench alert illuminates. Car must be shut off and restarted. Very dangerous condition. Several other complaints online. This has happened twice, luckily at low speeds and little traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11482015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A/C and Heater control; A/C blows cool on passenger side and blows hot on driver side
NHTSA complaint #11448021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Warning light message: Vehicle transmission is not in Park Google search found many same complaints for older Lincolns. When repaired, would reoccur.
NHTSA complaint #11419069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesOlive Branch, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK BUT IT IS IN PARK. DRIVERS DOOR AJAR BUT DOOR IS SHUT. THESE SHOW UP IN THE DASH INFORMATION CENTER. GETTIN WORSE WITH TIME. MKX ONLY HAS 37,500 MILES. 2015 MKX. FEAR SAFETY .
NHTSA complaint #11374703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesNewport, WA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 A APPROX 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT READ 0. SECONDS LATER THE DASH POWER FLASHED AND WENT COMPLETELY DARK. I'M HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER AT 60MPH ON AN INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CRUISE ALONG AT MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, I TOOK GEAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK. I PUSH THE START BUTTON AND IT STARTED UP. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME BUT I WAS COMPLETELY TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SOON AS I MADE IT HOME, I BEGAN RESEARCHING LINCOLN MKX TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE. TO MY HORROR, MANY LINCOLN MKX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALLS LISTED ON MY VIN. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND LINCOLN NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THIS CRITICAL MALFUNCTION AND IF NOT SOMEONE'S DEATH WILL BE CAUSED. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP.
NHTSA complaint #11233991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesNewport, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 A APPROX 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT READ 0. SECONDS LATER THE DASH POWER FLASHED AND WENT COMPLETELY DARK. I'M HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER AT 60MPH ON AN INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CRUISE ALONG AT MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, I TOOK GEAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK. I PUSH THE START BUTTON AND IT STARTED UP. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME BUT I WAS COMPLETELY TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SOON AS I MADE IT HOME, I BEGAN RESEARCHING LINCOLN MKX TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE. TO MY HORROR, MANY LINCOLN MKX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALLS LISTED ON MY VIN. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND LINCOLN NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THIS CRITICAL MALFUNCTION AND IF NOT SOMEONE'S DEATH WILL BE CAUSED. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP.
NHTSA complaint #11233991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesNewport, WA
ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 A APPROX 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT READ 0. SECONDS LATER THE DASH POWER FLASHED AND WENT COMPLETELY DARK. I'M HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER AT 60MPH ON AN INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CRUISE ALONG AT MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, I TOOK GEAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK. I PUSH THE START BUTTON AND IT STARTED UP. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME BUT I WAS COMPLETELY TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SOON AS I MADE IT HOME, I BEGAN RESEARCHING LINCOLN MKX TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE. TO MY HORROR, MANY LINCOLN MKX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALLS LISTED ON MY VIN. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND LINCOLN NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THIS CRITICAL MALFUNCTION AND IF NOT SOMEONE'S DEATH WILL BE CAUSED. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP.
NHTSA complaint #11233991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,250 milesWinston-Salem, NC
POWER TRAIN
CAR STALLS AND LOOSES POWER IN 5-10 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, THE CAR WILL RESTART AND DRIVE. THE PROBLEM INDICATOR "YELLOW WRENCH" TELLS THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING RELATING TO THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED (INTERSTATES) IN ENVIRONMENTS WITH LOTS OF TRAFFIC. SINCE THE CAR BEGINS IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, GETTING TO SAFETY WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IS FRIGHTENING AT BEST. ON WED, 4/17/19, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-40, 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AT 5:05 P.M. (I WAS IN THE LEFTMOST LANE) AND MY CAR STALLED. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE 2ND LANE FROM THE SHOULDER, I HAD ALMOST BEEN HIT BY A SPEEDING CAR AND AN 18-WHEELER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ANY MOMENTUM TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY BECAUSE THE CAR HAD NO POWER. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM!!! I FOUND MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME THING OCCURRING IN LINCOLN MKX'S (PREDOMINANTLY 2016'S) THAT RELATE TO A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, NEED FOR UPDATED SOFTWARE, AND/OR THE PURGE BODY. LINCOLN INDICATES THEY CANNOT/WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A MAINTENANCE CODE TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS. THIS SITUATION COULD EASILY COST LIVES UNNECESSARILY!! MY REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ARE NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY (DEALERSHIP & LINCOLN FORD MOTOR COMPANY). SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED TO MY VIN, THEY ATTEST THERE IS NO ISSUE UNLESS I CAN PROVIDE IT. I CAN'T PROVE IT BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND DRIVE BUT COULDN'T REPLICATE. THERE NEEDS TO SOMETHING MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE THAT IS MANDATED TO BE DONE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. IT IS MY HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11197354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,250 milesWinston-Salem, NC
ENGINE
CAR STALLS AND LOOSES POWER IN 5-10 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STOPPED, THE CAR WILL RESTART AND DRIVE. THE PROBLEM INDICATOR "YELLOW WRENCH" TELLS THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING RELATING TO THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED (INTERSTATES) IN ENVIRONMENTS WITH LOTS OF TRAFFIC. SINCE THE CAR BEGINS IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, GETTING TO SAFETY WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IS FRIGHTENING AT BEST. ON WED, 4/17/19, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-40, 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AT 5:05 P.M. (I WAS IN THE LEFTMOST LANE) AND MY CAR STALLED. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE 2ND LANE FROM THE SHOULDER, I HAD ALMOST BEEN HIT BY A SPEEDING CAR AND AN 18-WHEELER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ANY MOMENTUM TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY BECAUSE THE CAR HAD NO POWER. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM!!! I FOUND MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME THING OCCURRING IN LINCOLN MKX'S (PREDOMINANTLY 2016'S) THAT RELATE TO A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, NEED FOR UPDATED SOFTWARE, AND/OR THE PURGE BODY. LINCOLN INDICATES THEY CANNOT/WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A MAINTENANCE CODE TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS. THIS SITUATION COULD EASILY COST LIVES UNNECESSARILY!! MY REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ARE NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY (DEALERSHIP & LINCOLN FORD MOTOR COMPANY). SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED TO MY VIN, THEY ATTEST THERE IS NO ISSUE UNLESS I CAN PROVIDE IT. I CAN'T PROVE IT BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND DRIVE BUT COULDN'T REPLICATE. THERE NEEDS TO SOMETHING MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE THAT IS MANDATED TO BE DONE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. IT IS MY HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11197354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesLong Beach Township, NJ
POWER TRAIN
KEEP GETTING "TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK" DOES NOT HAPPEN EACH TIME I PUT IT IN PARK BUT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAVE 26,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11196936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesManistee, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHIFT CAR INTO "PARK" AND THE CAR IS CLEARLY IN PARK BUT ON THE DASH THE "P" DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHICH CAUSES AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK" WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE THE ERROR MESSAGE IS SHOWING, ALL AUXILIARY COMPONENTS (HEAT, RADIO, ETC) STAY ON AND YOUR BATTERY GOES DEAD. OCCURS NEARLY EVERY DAY, EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO "PARK".
NHTSA complaint #11152616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CHANGES FROM AUTOMATIC TO SORTS MODE AND SHOWS SHIFT CHANGING ON DASH, WHICH CAUSES IT TO GO FROM ANY SPEED TO 5MPH INSTANTLY. IT PULLS CAR BACK AND CAUSES SUDDEN SPEED CHANGE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SINCE PURCHASED VARIOUS TIMES AND THE STILL DO NOT FIND ANYTHING AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR THAT I BOUGHT A YR AGO WHILE IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS SEPT 15 2018 (HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES).
NHTSA complaint #11132719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CHANGES FROM AUTOMATIC TO SORTS MODE AND SHOWS SHIFT CHANGING ON DASH, WHICH CAUSES IT TO GO FROM ANY SPEED TO 5MPH INSTANTLY. IT PULLS CAR BACK AND CAUSES SUDDEN SPEED CHANGE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SINCE PURCHASED VARIOUS TIMES AND THE STILL DO NOT FIND ANYTHING AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR THAT I BOUGHT A YR AGO WHILE IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS SEPT 15 2018 (HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES).
NHTSA complaint #11132719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CHANGES FROM AUTOMATIC TO SORTS MODE AND SHOWS SHIFT CHANGING ON DASH, WHICH CAUSES IT TO GO FROM ANY SPEED TO 5MPH INSTANTLY. IT PULLS CAR BACK AND CAUSES SUDDEN SPEED CHANGE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SINCE PURCHASED VARIOUS TIMES AND THE STILL DO NOT FIND ANYTHING AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR THAT I BOUGHT A YR AGO WHILE IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS SEPT 15 2018 (HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES).
NHTSA complaint #11132719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesEVA, AL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE PARKING AND ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11005348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSplendora, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"ENGINE RECALL" ONCE I TRY TO STICK IT IN PARK, IT TELLS ME TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK! DOES THIS EVERY TIME I TRY TO PUT IT IN PARK! MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 2 YEARS OLD YET AND JUST HIT 30,000 MILES! VERY FRUSTRATING!
NHTSA complaint #10944202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSplendora, TX
ENGINE
"ENGINE RECALL" ONCE I TRY TO STICK IT IN PARK, IT TELLS ME TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK! DOES THIS EVERY TIME I TRY TO PUT IT IN PARK! MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 2 YEARS OLD YET AND JUST HIT 30,000 MILES! VERY FRUSTRATING!
NHTSA complaint #10944202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.