2012 Lincoln MKX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 34 of 84 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 149 in 2011 to 84 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 23–25 | 17–19 / 23–25 | 17–19 / 23–26 | 17–19 / 23–26 | 17–18 / 23–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–468 | 423–468 | 423–468 | 415–459 | 422–461 | |
| Complaints filed | 111 | 149 | 84 | 163 | 35 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Lincoln MKX?
Brakes: 34 of 84 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lincoln MKX get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Lincoln MKX?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 34 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 14V393000 · Jul 2, 2014
Defect: 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: 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.