138 of the
1,759 complaints filed about the Lincoln MKX
are about the transmission —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
138
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
7
Crashes
4
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Tuesday June 2, 2026 my car went into the shop. At which time the viscous coupler was replaced for the rear AWD differential. This was a Ford OEM Part that had failed. Upon replacing it shut up they found the rear differential gear assembly was in fact also in need of being replaced. The needed part is called a rear final drive. It is now June 30, 2026. My car has been in the shop now for 28 days. The rear final drive part needed is on backorder. “We are more than 100 on the list.” Therefore, I will not be getting my car back any time soon. Upon researching and discussions with dealerships, this is and has been a known problem with the Lincoln and Ford vehicles. However, there has never been a recall, or any justification for this known problem. I would like some answers to why anyone would have to wait that long for a part for their vehicle! I am without a car and will be for an extended period time!
NHTSA complaint #11747526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PTU failing and leaking fluid. Needs replacement. Ford stated it’s a lifetime fluid but the fluid fails due to sitting next to hot exhaust. The unit needs replacement at a cost of $3400. Unit is currently being replaced. This can cause the PTU to fail, lock up, and implode taking the transmission with it. Extremely expensive part to replace. Thousands of people online have needed to replace part with 30k miles or less.
NHTSA complaint #11743139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the transmission warning light illuminated. Occasionally, the contact was forced to shut off the vehicle and wait a few moments before restarting, after which the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was initially towed to the dealer twice; however, the dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and another service appointment was made. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11742681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During a manufacturer-mandated software module update, North Central Ford (Plano, TX) bypassed continuous power supply safety protocols. This negligence caused a voltage drop, interrupted the software flash, and completely corrupted the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The dealership returned the vehicle to me, stating the update was complete. The corrupted module failed to power down, causing a severe parasitic drain that completely killed the battery overnight, leaving the vehicle immobilized and immune to jump-starting. The APIM is completely corrupted. The disabled vehicle was towed back to North Central Ford and remains available for immediate inspection. Safety Risks: The corrupted APIM permanently disabled the federally mandated backup camera (violating FMVSS 111) and touch-screen climate/defroster controls, creating severe rear and forward visibility hazards. The module's failure to sleep causes a continuous parasitic battery drain that has already stranded me and introduces a high risk of sudden electrical failure in traffic. Dealer Confirmation: North Central Ford's paperwork confirms they caused the failure. Their Day 1 intake Multi-Point Inspection officially documented my battery in "GOOD CONDITION" prior to service, and their initial invoice explicitly states the update was "UNSUCCESSFUL." Furthermore, after I supplied a new replacement battery for a second diagnostic, they confirmed a U2100 code (Initial Configuration Not Complete), proving the module was electronically wiped during their botched procedure. Prior Symptoms / Inspections: None. The electrical system and screen were fully functional prior to the software update. Inspected solely by North Central Ford. Status: The General Manager dismisses their own diagnostic codes, refuses to repair these technician-caused safety defects under consequential damage guidelines, and is attempting to charge me out-of-pocket, The vehicle remains at the dealership due to active safety hazards.
NHTSA complaint #11730101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had to replace my rear brake pads, rotors, and the whole braking system (not related to sensors) three times in a year. I received the recall notice after the third time and had a mechanic fix my brake hose as a short-term remedy for my car. Not only does my car have a delay in breaking it is a delay in the monitoring service. Technically the sounds related to my vehicle are not related to braking at all by the speed in which a car slows down before it breaks. In this case that mean if I slam on my breaks the "emergency sound" does not go off. I have a minor fender bender as well due to these two problems associated with my braking system.
NHTSA complaint #11698153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH and while attempting to make a right turn, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle on the front passenger’s side. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V393000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11696437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear differential appears to be an issue on these vehicles. 2021-2022 models/vehicles were recalled for having an issue with the rear differential. Fortunately there was not an accident with my vehicle as I was able to determine that it shouldn’t be driven. However, I’m told by the dealership that there are 155 vehicles waiting for the same repair (a rear differential replacement), and that the part to repair it is unavailable. With this information, I can’t Imagine how many vehicles are still on the road with this problem. There does not appear to be a recall on older models, nor has this issue been reviewed by the mechanics that work for the company. At the very least, this issue should be reviewed during routine maintenance.
NHTSA complaint #11634018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2007 Lincoln MKX had an SUA and within 10 feet totaled the front end when it was thrust into a cement building. This happened On [XXX] and the vehicle is available for inspection here in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 2010 Lincoln implemented an override device to the brake system knowing of the problem and there was no recall for vehicles prior to 2010. My safety was put at risk and that of others. If someone had been exiting the store or walking down the sidewalk they could have been killed. I am suffering with physical and mental problems as a result of this. Police report also states this was definitely a vehicle malfunction. There were no warning signs prior to the incident. Claim has been filed with the Office of General Council at Lincoln, but remains unresolved to date. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11619268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, upon shifting the gear shifter into drive, the vehicle started reversing independently. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle five times before the vehicle started operating as intended. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11614318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that at start-up there was an abnormal sound coming the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle decelerated to approximately 25 MPH and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
NHTSA complaint #11530156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving to work & my vehicle started making weird noises. I parked at work & had it towed to my mechanics shop. For some reason my differential had gone out for no reason
NHTSA complaint #11515679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while parked at an inclined position, the vehicle rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #11511794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an unknown GMC dealer who restarted and test-drove the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that no issues were found. An unknown Lincoln dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,225.
NHTSA complaint #11500323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light and the power train warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle and waited for 15-20 seconds. The contact then continued driving; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown NHTSA Campaign because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,400.
NHTSA complaint #11481754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MKX has 75000 miles on it and the tss and oss sensors have gone out. Car goes into limp mode and will barely move, it shifts very hard, speed odometer quits and all the warning lights come on. If you stop let it sit and restart car it resets issue but you never know when it will happen again. It can happen at cruising speed or at start of car. VERY unsafe
NHTSA complaint #11470718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car speed decelerating. I was driving on Freeway going 75 miles yellow wrench came on car decelerated to 45 miles an 18 wheeler was behind me and couldn’t stop almost hit me thankful the opposite lane was free and he was able to change lanes in time. Once lane decelerates it shut completely down. This could have cost me my life. The vehicle is in the shop took it before and because the light don’t stay on they can’t read it . I seen where there was a recall on the body throttle in 2017 I didn’t own the vehicle then. The light only appeared right before it decelerates this is the second time in 6 months the light never stays on. After the incident on Sat April 23; the light went off n the car drove smoothly but I cannot have this happening unexpectedly because this is too dangerous
NHTSA complaint #11462476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Automatic transmission is slipping badly. Results in temporary loss of power & speed. Taking my foot off the gas pedal, for two-to-three seconds, seems to remedy the situation. It's quite scary losing control of the vehicle during that period. Below, I am identifying an "approximate date"; however, this issue has been ongoing for quite some time - At least one, perhaps two, years. A mechanic's remedy may be checking the transmission fluid, or having the fluid replaced. I ensure I keep the fluid at its' proper level and I'm not replacing the fluid. I don't believe any transmission fluid ever needs draining and replacing - I think that's a scam when it's suggested!
NHTSA complaint #11450657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.