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2016 Lincoln MKX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Lincoln MKX
Pictured: Lincoln MKX 2.7T AWD Reserve U540 White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat (8) (cropped). Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 26 hwy
Length
190.2 in
Curb weight
4,387 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 19% below the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG.
  • Many owner complaints156 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 31 for similar models — most often about the service brakes.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Lincoln MKX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (3.7L 6-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,387 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 26 highway), 19% worse than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2016

  • New body dimensions: 3.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
  • NHTSA overall rating up from 4 to 5 stars

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 MKX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV190.2 in76 in66.1 in112.2 in65 / 64.6 in4,387 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKX FWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-19%$3,350438
MKX FWD2.7L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 20-19%$3,350434
MKX AWD2.7L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-17%$3,550456
MKX AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-17%$3,550472
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.6 MPG2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Lincoln MKX SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.4%
2016 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning

Similar 2016 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Lincoln MKX (this car)20 MPG★★★★★7
2016 Porsche Cayenne24 MPGNot rated2
2016 BMW X525 MPG★★★★★5
2016 BMW X330 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated3
2016 Volvo XC9025 MPGNot rated8
2016 Tesla Model X289 miNot rated12

Recalls (7)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Aug 22, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V544000 · 499,129 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Service Brakes · Aug 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V469000 · 488,594 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Risk
A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 17, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V414000 · 19,299 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk
An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables · Nov 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V809000 · 54,411 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on December 2, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available, currently expected to be the end of April 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S41.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Aug 29, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V632000 · 116,160 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Risk
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 27, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V123000 · 27,531 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
Child Seat › Tether › Connector/Clip · May 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V343000 · 5 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Risk
An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C09.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Lincoln MKX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

156Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
20,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes39
Engine32
Electrical System26
Unknown Or Other22
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Power Train12
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Steering6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/04: 123/05: 223/07: 223/11: 123/12: 124/02: 224/04: 124/08: 125/01: 125/02: 125/04: 125/05: 225/08: 125/09: 425/10: 125/11: 425/12: 326/02: 226/03: 626/04: 126/05: 226/06: 526/08: 826/09: 323/0423/1124/0425/0225/0825/1126/0326/06max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Lincoln MKX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 39 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Engine — 32 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 26 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other MKX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2018 MKX20190.2 in★★★★★531
2017 MKX20190.2 in★★★★★552
2015 MKX20186.6 in★★★★★019
2014 MKX21186.6 in★★★★★133
2013 MKX21186.6 inNot rated1152
2012 MKX21187.4 inNot rated175
2011 MKX21187.4 inNot rated3130
2010 MKX20187 inNot rated698
2009 MKX19187 inNot rated659
2008 MKX19187 inNot rated5220
2007 MKX19187 inNot rated5234

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →