NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lincoln MKX[1]. Air bags draw the biggest share of them, with 157 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 157 complaints[2]. Owners describe getting a recall notice for the air bags, then waiting a long time because the repair part was not available. Some say the dealer could not give a date.
- Power Train. 30 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car rolling back on a hill, fluid leaking near the drivetrain, and a feeling of being stuck in a low gear. Others mention throttle trouble and sputtering when accelerating.
- Brakes. 18 complaints[6]. Owners describe a stiff pedal that makes stopping hard, and a pedal that sinks slowly. Some say they had a part replaced more than once.
- Engine. 16 complaints[7]. The details vary, so check the complaint listings for your own symptoms.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 16 complaints[8]. Owners describe a strong gas smell and fuel leaking from the tank seam. Some say the repair quote was high.
- Speed Control. 13 complaints[9].
- Electrical System. 11 complaints[10].
- Fuel System, Gasoline. 6 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 MKX is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (21V158), March 2021. About 2,602,668 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (21V081), February 2021. About 1,067 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V024), January 2017. About 654,695 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.[14] - Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V384), May 2016. About 1,892,343 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.[15] - Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (14V682), October 2014. About 186,024 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (08V301), July 2008. About 142 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD/AWD[19] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 14.0% |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKX 4DR SUV FWD[20] | 187 in | 75 in | 69 in | 111 in | 4,418 lb |
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 298 | 5 |
| 2008 | 253 | 6 |
| 2009 | 66 | 6 |
| 2010 | 111 | 6 |
| 2011 | 149 | 3 |
| 2012 | 84 | 1 |
| 2013 | 163 | 1 |
| 2014 | 35 | 1 |
| 2015 | 19 | 0 |
| 2016 | 156 | 7 |
| 2017 | 52 | 5 |
| 2018 | 31 | 5 |
NHTSA's counts for the MKX show 253 complaints and 6 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 12 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2015 (19) and the most are for 2007 (298)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 MKX?
These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide and not a final score[1]. The air bag group stands out far above the rest[2]. The fuel leak stories deserve a close look, because a leaking tank is a real safety concern[8]. Power train and brake complaints are smaller but still worth a test drive and a check at a trusted shop[5][6]. If you are shopping, read the recalls section above and confirm that open recalls have been fixed.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln MKX?
- Air bags lead the owner complaints, followed by the power train and brakes[2][5][6].
- Does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have recalls?
- Yes. See the recalls section on this page for the full list, and the by-year fact for the count[3].
- How many complaints does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have?
- NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2008 Lincoln MKX reliable?
- Owner reports are mixed. Air bags, power train and brakes are the biggest groups[2][5][6]. Check the recalls section before you buy.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Lincoln MKX?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lincoln MKX
Compare all model years of the Lincoln MKX
Other Lincoln models from 2008
Similar cars from 2008: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lincoln MKX (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 157 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKX FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 30 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,904). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,239). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,119). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V682, filed October 29, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V301, filed July 3, 2008: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKX AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKX 4DR SUV FWD: length 187 in, width 75 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,418 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov