NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Lincoln MKX[1]. Brakes are the biggest group, with 33 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Brakes. 33 complaints[2]. Owners describe a pedal that turns hard or sinks soft, with a hissing sound, and stops that take far more effort than they should. Some say a shop found nothing wrong and the trouble came back.
- Electrical System. 17 complaints[6]. Owners describe door warning lights that stay on with the doors shut, interior lights that keep glowing, and a dinging that will not quit. Others say the car lost power while driving.
- Power Train. 11 complaints[7]. Owners describe the car jerking, hesitating and losing power on the road, plus a shift to park warning that would not clear and a fluid leak at a stop.
- Structure. 10 complaints[8]. Owners describe door latches that fail, so the car thinks a door is open or a door does not truly lock, and mirror glare from the dash vents.
- Engine. 8 complaints[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 7 complaints[10].
- Air Bags. 4 complaints[11].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 3 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 MKX is necessarily included.
- Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft (14V393), July 2014. About 83,250 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
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
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 CUV[16] | 187 in | 76 in | 68 in | 111 in | 4,427 lb |
How 2012 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 84 complaints and 1 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 12 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 6 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 2012 MKX?
The 2012 Lincoln MKX has 84 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Brakes lead the list with 33 complaints[2], followed by the electrical system with 17[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check rather than a score. If you are shopping for one, test the brake pedal feel and make sure every door warning light goes out when the doors are shut. The page also lists a recall for this model[3], so confirm that any open recall work has been done.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln MKX?
- Brakes lead the complaints with 33[2], then the electrical system with 17[6] and the power train with 11[7].
- Has the 2012 Lincoln MKX been recalled?
- Yes, the by-year data shows 1 recall[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have?
- NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
- Is the 2012 Lincoln MKX reliable?
- Owner complaints center on brakes[2] and electrical trouble[6]. Check the by-year comparison on this page to see how this year stacks up.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Lincoln MKX?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lincoln MKX
Compare all model years of the Lincoln MKX
Other Lincoln models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Lincoln MKX (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKX FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,060). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,340). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V393, filed July 2, 2014: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKX AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKX 4DR CUV: length 187 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,427 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov