Wrench.Pro

2017 Lincoln Mkx Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Lincoln Mkx carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering service brakes and cables. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Exhaust odor and carbon monoxide entering cabin.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES

Campaign #20V469000 · Oct 8, 2020

Issue: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Campaign #19V809000 · Dec 11, 2019

Issue: 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.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #20V414000 · Jul 17, 2020

Issue: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V123000 · Feb 27, 2017

Issue: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #25V544000 · Aug 22, 2025

Issue: 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. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Lincoln Mkx.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Exhaust odor and carbon monoxide entering cabin

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2019-08

“HAS CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE CABIN ON HIGHWAY DRIVING . I HAVE A CO METER AS I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO DEALER 7 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE & IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THEY NOW CLAIM IT IS OK BUT STILL HAVE 15 PPM IN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND LEVEL STILL RISING. THEY SAY THIS IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244588
“DURING HARD ACCELERATION, THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS ENTERS THE CABIN REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE OF FAN IS BLOWING (AIR CONDITIONING - FRESH AIR OR RECIRCULATE). LINCOLN UNDER A TSB CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY RESEALING THE REAR SEALS TO THE REAR HATCH. THE SMELL CONTINUES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229749
“STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS IN PASSENGER CABIN. BECAME STRONGER AS VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES . A/C IN USE. ALL PASSENGERS DEVELOPED HEADACHES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014999

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Battery cable chafe recall parts delay

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2021-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAC HAIK JACKSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11348542
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V809000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO PUGMIRE LINCOLN OF MARIETTA (1865 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060;”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11330304
“NHTSA 19V-809 BATTERY CABLE MAY CHAFE & CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11398634

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Swollen wheel lug nuts

WHEELS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2024-01

“I took Automobile in for 4 new tires and the tire shop had to replace 5 Lug Nuts”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11563156
“Lug nuts are swollen and almost impossible to remove. I could not change a flat tire. Firestone insisted that I needed to replace the lug nuts. Apparently this is a known Ford/Lincoln problem”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519266

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Back-over prevention camera failure

BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-10 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer under an undisclosed recall repair, the rearview camera and other driver-assisted features became inoperable. The camera was functioning properly prior to the recall repair”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11728794
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The contact stated that the failure impaired the ability to operate the vehicle safely. In addition, the contact stated that the failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691700

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear brake hose leak and pedal failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle veered to the right. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered while slowing down and while making a turn. The contact stated that while driving downhill and depressing the brake”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745876
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was soft and spongy. In addition, the service brake warning light was illuminated. The”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723951
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was coasted downhill to decelerate. The contact pulled into a parking lot and engaged”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686688

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or shutdown while driving

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2023-03

“The contact owns 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at highway speeds. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11514440
“WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED'S THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITH NO THROTTLE RESPONSE OR ACCELERATION. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE IS AT A VERY SLOW AND ROUGH IDLE WITH THE ORANGE SERVICE WRENCH AND WARNING LIGHTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361482
“THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE YOU ARE ABLE TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11182361

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford schedules the 10-speed (10R80) and 6-speed automatics at 150,000 miles normal duty — but 60,000 miles with towing or livery use, which describes many Lincolns. Mercon ULV / the specified Mercon type only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

V8 Navigator and Town Car: 100,000-mile plugs. EcoBoost V6 (Aviator, Nautilus 2.7T): commonly around 60,000 miles — check your year's guide; turbo engines run shorter plug lives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles per Ford's schedule; sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Rear Differential Fluid (RWD/4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Navigator, Aviator RWD, and Town Car: replace rear axle fluid around 60,000 miles with towing or livery duty (150,000 normal per Ford). Limited-slip axles need the friction modifier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Serpentine / Accessory Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking. The 5.4L Navigator's belt also drives the cooling fan clutch on some years — a failure overheats fast.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Lincoln Mkx reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →