10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,552 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Lincoln MKX engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Lincoln MKX Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Oct 032022

MKX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car just went from complete cool to over heating and engine light to flash. Checked to make sure I had fluids. All full. While I had car turned off turned it back on after 15 minutes and car went straight to overheating again. Had a garage look at my car, there-€™s a 3 cylinder misfire on just the one side of the engine. They agree and don-€™t understand why this happened or how.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

problem #22

Jan 012023

MKX

  • miles
Water pump failure 3 times. Internal water pump failed causing engine to overheat dumping coolant into the engine oil. Original water pump replaced 5/16/21. Replacement water pump failed and was replaced 6/19/22. Second Replacement water pump has failed also as of January 1, 2023 resulting in catastrophic engine failure.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #21

Aug 122022

MKX

  • miles
I have had fairly issues with overheating and have had several repairs done including: 12/29/2019 - Radiator Fan Assembly and Electric Fan Motor Replacement 10/02/2021 - Replace Thermostat and Gasket & Replace Coolant Recovery Tank 8/9/2022 - Installed Module, Control, Sensors and Fuel Filler (all done with regards to presumably fixing the overheating and RPM fluctuation while overheating) I paid $3K for the August 2022 repairs and they told me they could not replicate the issue but believe that the repairs are related to the problems I am experiencing. I use my car to drive to periodically drive to another town (60 miles away) and then to drive to the airport for work (about 25 miles). After August, I took my car on the 60 mile drive and 30 miles in, the car started overheating. I called the Ford dealership and they told me to check the radiator (it was full and slightly bubbling). The idea of driving a vehicle that is not safe (not going to make it to my destination after repairs intended to do so) is terrible. When I got back home (terrified after having to drive the same car back 60 miles later that evening), I took the car back to the same Ford dealership. After a couple of days, they told me they THINK it is the internal water pump. When I asked them if that would guarantee the fix, they said NO because no codes are showing up and there are no other signs of overheating (so it SHOULD be the internal water pump). This does not seem right to me. The car has electronic sensors everywhere and the dealership put me back on the road with a car that started to overheat within 30 miles.

- Dade City, FL, USA

problem #20

Sep 262020

MKX

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle and approaching a stop sign the vehicle just shut off on its own. I lost all engine power, brakes, and steering capabilities., etc with no warning. Luckily no other vehicles were near me at the time. I was able to roll backwards in neutral to a somewhat safe location off the road. Several days after that it happened again. I was in a parking lot and had just started the vehicle and then it warned low oil pressure and then just shut off on its own. I checked the oil and it's not low. Oil level is perfect. After some quick online research I found many similar complaints from other Lincoln owners. Unexpected engine shut off while driving and with no warning. Scary and very unsafe to say the least. I contacted the dealership where I bought the vehicle and they said this is the first time they heard of this issue. Please advise. Thank you.

- Scituate, RI, USA

problem #19

Apr 232020

MKX 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
While driving shuts off without warning. Dark dashboard and no steering. Has happened twice, once on a city street and once on the interstate in dry road conditions. After waiting a few minutes it restarts.

- Swansea, IL, USA

problem #18

Nov 252019

MKX

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkx. While the contact's husband was driving approximately 70 mph, the check engine indicator suddenly illuminated and the speed reduced. The contact pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to a family member's trailer. The contact called gene mercer Ford of amarillo (located at 3400 S soncy rd, amarillo, tx 79119, 806-355-7471) where the water pump was replaced. The dealer diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Spencer, OK, USA

problem #17

Apr 092019

MKX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The problem was diagnosed as a failed throttle body, with trouble codes P2111 present in the on-board computer system, indicating the electronic throttle actuator control system was stuck open and closed, respectively.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #16

Mar 222019

MKX

  • 112,000 miles
Water pump failure filling motor with coolant $2500 repair with no guarantee the motor is not permanently damaged. Has 112000 miles and just out of warranty. My wife was driving it when the SUV started missing and she had to pull over stranded on the side of the road.

- Lexington, AL, USA

problem #15

Feb 132019

MKX

  • miles
Transmission issues. Shifts hard. Already spent 2500 to fix the transfer case. We've heard tons of people have this problem.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #14

Nov 032018

MKX

  • 109,000 miles
The brake booster failed on my vehicle and was just replaced by the dealership for nearly $900 dollars. This is the 2nd major safety issue I have had with this vehicle because the throttle body had an issue that caused the vehicle to completely shut down while driving with no warning. That was replaced at no cost but I had to do my own research for the repair and that issue could have caused an accident with injuries or death. Because Lincoln determined that my particular VIN is not eligible then the cost is on me, again a major safety issue that could have caused injury and death when the brakes barely stopped. I know I cannot recover money for own repair but I feel Ford/Lincoln should not be able to get away with making their own determinations of what vehicles should be covered when they are at fault for building a poor. Substandard product. I do not want other owners to be railroaded by this policy.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #13

Jul 132018

MKX

  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2011 Lincoln Mkx has a blown head gasket. One week prior to this diagnosis, my car was evaluated and diagnosed by the Lincoln dealership because of an engine light being on. There were no symptoms--only the light was on when the car was on. I had the oil changed by the dealership at this time as well. The diagnosis stated that no problem could be found, but that the light may come back on, and I would need to bring it back for (and pay for) another diagnostic check. The next day, the light came back on, still with no symptoms other than the light being on. I wasn't able to get the Lincoln to the dealership right away. Exactly one week later, still with no symptoms other than the light being on, I drove the Lincoln on a highway close to my home for 5 minutes and it began struggling like it was going to stall. Immediately the light "low engine oil pressure" came on. Then immediately the car stalled, and I coasted onto the shoulder of the road. There were no other symptoms other than the struggling engine immediately before stalling and the "low engine oil pressure light". I had it towed to the nearest 5-star rated auto repair place, and within a few hours, they called me and diagnosed the Lincoln with a blown head gasket. The lead mechanic stated that this was determined by visual inspection of the oil as it had engine coolant mixed with oil. He called it the "classic milkshake look" that is apparent when there is a blown head gasket.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #12

Jul 012017

MKX

  • 104,501 miles
I keep get the check fuel fill inlet system error on my vehicle. I've had it fixed but the light comes right back on. My car jerks as I am driving and sometimes stalls.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 162017

MKX

  • miles
I was driving on the road all the sudden I heard a knock in the vehicle and burning smell without any warning the car has stopped in the middle of the road. I was able to get it to a safe place. I have it towed to the dealer the entire engine has to be replaced because the coolant was going to the engine which will cost nearly $10,000. I still owe over $18,000 and only have the car for a 1 year. I can't get any help from the Ford company or the dealer. I am a single parent that's in a true dilemma not knowing what to do. The dealer has done the service in the car 2 months prior to the engine failure. I kept the service everything it's due. I was doing all the right thing.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #10

Dec 162017

MKX

  • 103,000 miles
I was driving on a 35 miles/per hour zone without any warning I heard the car making clicking noise and completely shut down. I had someone checked it for me. My coolant was going into my engine. I got it towed to dealer the engine has to be replaced for almost $10,000. I had the car service 2 months ago at the dealer and I still over $3,000 miles until my next service.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #9

Dec 042017

MKX

  • 55,000 miles
The throttle valve assembly was bad. The car stopped running when the wife was driving highway 105 at 50 mph. She turned on the flashers and was able to get off to the side of the highway after a short time the car was able to be restarted and driven back to the house. The same thing happened again about two months later. This is a very dangerous situation. The engine stops with no warning.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 122017

MKX

  • 112,000 miles
Even with meticulous maintenance my Mkx engine catastrophically failed. The dealership said the oil and water mixed and it was in no way caused by us. They are wanting me to pay $7000 to replace the engine. We followed manufacturers recommendations for service and preventive maintenance. I believe Lincoln should cover this as this was no fault of us as the owners. We are the original owners and purchased it brand new. My wife was driving to bend, or from prineville, or on the highway and the vehicle lost power and then died. She was stranded on the roadside with no cell service.

- Prineville, OR, USA

problem #7

May 182016

MKX

  • 46,850 miles
While driving about 55 mph on the highway my car suddenly stopped. The engine was still on but I had no control except to coast to the side of the road. A sign that said AWD failed appeared. I turned it off and restarted it and drove home. We took it to the Ford garage. They had no idea what was wrong since there was no "code". we took it home after about a week. In less than a week my husband was driving home from work and the same thing happened to him. After the Ford garage had it for about 3 weeks they called and said they were going to replace the throttle body. My husband said that is a design flaw and Lincoln's problem. They didn't want to call so gave us the phone number and my husband called. Their response was things fail in cars. My husband said cars shouldn't quit working while you are driving down the highway. Next day Lincoln rep said they would pay $250 toward the repair. We now have possession of the car but no idea if the problem is fixed or not as of yet. (not sure of exact dates. But it was in may and/or June of 2016)

- Ludlow, PA, USA

problem #6

Jan 112016

MKX

  • 57,000 miles
My 2011 Lincoln Mkx suddenly shut off when driving off the expressway. The engine suddenly turned off, giving me a wrench tool on the dash board. Luckily had just gotten off the expressway and was able to move off the frontage into a store. I was able to turn it back on but turned off on me like 3 more times. When I took it in to my dealership right the next day they couldn't find out what was wrong with it. So I took I took it home then started noticing that my truck felt like it was going to turn off suddenly. Took it to dealership again and they told me that it sound it like it was the throttle body, caused by a leak in oil. They changed it out and my truck works good now. Doesn't feel like its going to turn off all of a sudden.

- San Juan, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 202015

MKX 6-cyl

  • 26,435 miles
As I was going to pull out of a parallel parking spot, the car immediately stalled and lost all power while in drive. I placed the car in park and attempted to turn the car back on. The car turned back on then as I was about to leave the parking spot again it shut off immediately as I pressed the acceleration. This is very dangerous and left me out in the middle of the street with on coming traffic.

- Pomfret, CT, USA

problem #4

Sep 222014

MKX 6-cyl

  • 36,800 miles
This is the third of three incidents with this vehicle. On this occasion I was traveling 70 mph in the fast lane of the expressway, when the engine failed for the third time in 1 year. On this occasion the wrench symbol came on the dashboard. According the vehicle's manual this is an indication of a powertrain problem. This was the closest that I came to having an accident. There was only about 1000 feet to the left on the fast lane to stop the vehicle without hitting the guard rail. The vehicle has been at the dealership for 5 days. We were called the day after we dropped the car off for servicing. Again they said they could not duplicate the problem and wanted to return the vehicle to us without resolving the problem. I informed Lincoln that I would not take the car back until it was safe to drive. We are currently working with Lincoln to see what can be done.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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