Short answer
Among Lincoln MKX model years through 2024, 2015 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2016 has the most (7). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Lincoln MKX: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 14 (2007–2020)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 23
- Fewest recalls
- 2015 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2016 (7)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (20)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2016, 2017 and 2018
Lincoln MKX Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | Not rated | Back over prevention |
| 2019 | 1 | Not rated | Back over prevention |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Seats |
| 2016 | 7 | 5 stars | Air bags, Child seat, Electrical system |
| 2015 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2014 | 1 | 4 stars | Power train |
| 2013 | 1 | 4 stars | Power train |
| 2012 | 1 | 4 stars | Power train |
| 2011 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Structure |
| 2010 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2009 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2008 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20201 recall
- 20191 recall
- 20185 recalls
- 20175 recalls
- 20167 recalls
- 20150 recalls
- 20141 recall
- 20131 recall
- 20121 recall
- 20113 recalls
- 20106 recalls
- 20096 recalls
- 20086 recalls
- 20075 recalls
Lincoln MKX: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Lincoln MKX recalls are air bags (20), fuel system, gasoline (5), electrical system (4), power train (3) and seats (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 7 of these 14 model years, and 2016, 2017 and 2018 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Lincoln MKX Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Lincoln MKX?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2015 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Lincoln MKX model years have the most recalls?
2016 has the most, with 7 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "MKX", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy