2008 Lincoln MKX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
253 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 97 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 157 of 253 complaints (62.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 157 |
| Power Train | 27 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Air Bags: 157; Power Train: 27; Service Brakes: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Engine: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 24 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 16
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 156 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 76 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2008: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 1; 2012: 8; 2013: 4; 2014: 13; 2015: 16; 2016: 17; 2017: 76; 2018: 81; 2019: 3; 2020: 10; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 19 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10358290 · 2010-09-29 (September 29, 2010)
I HAVE A 2008 LINCOLN MKX WHICH WAS PURCHASED LATE 2008. IF I AM A STOP AT A LIGHT OR INTERSECTION AND IT IS ON AN INCLINE, AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT WILL ROLL BACK UNTIL I BRAKE OR USE THE ACCELERATOR. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 17TH, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION WHICH HAD A VERY STEEP INCLINE AND I HAD TO COME TO A STOP TO ALLOW FOR TRAFFIC BEFORE I LEFT THE STATION . I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO TRY TO ACCELERATE AND IT ROLLED BACK SEVERELY ALMOST HITTING A GAS TANKER. I TOOK IT IN TO LINCOLN AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BECAUSE I A…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479868 · 2012-10-12 (October 12, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WHILE TRYING TO DECREASE VEHICLE SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DECREASE VEHICLE SPEED BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE RUBBER TO HARDEN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444149 · 2012-01-10 (January 10, 2012)
APPROPRIATE HANDLING-INFO COPY TO FORD MOTORS COMPANY RE 2008 LINCOLN MKX FROM TRINITY MCCGRIFF, 5TH ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER REPLACED A SEAL AND THE PTU SEVERAL TIMES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10444149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465516 · 2012-07-13 (July 13, 2012)
PARK MY CAR AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK. A COUPLE HOURS LATER MY WIFE RETURNED IN HER CAR AND NOTICED THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE WELD SEEM ON THE GAS TANK HAS SEPARATED AND LEAKING GAS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE # 08S06 BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY MANUFACTURING DATE DOES NOT MATCH THAT OF THE RECALL. THIS TO ME SEEMS SUSPICIOUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10495050 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
THE FUEL SYSTEM AND TANK LEAKED FUEL IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE FUEL LINE LEAKED FUEL OVER THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE FUEL TANK HAS A LEAK AT THE SEAM WHERE UPPER AND LOW TANK HALVES JOINT. BOTH LEAKS PRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE LEAK WAS AT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE FUEL TANK LEAK WAS NEXT TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500555 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
KICKED ON CRUISE CONTROL AT SEVENTY. RPM'S SHOT FROM 2 THOUSAND TO EIGHT THOUSAND AND CAR ACCELERATED TO EIGHTY MILES AN HOUR. ALL WE DOING WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE SINCE WE PURCHASED TWO MONTHS AGO AND THEY HAVE INFORMED US BOTH TIMES THAT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 47,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10716531 · 2015-05-14 (May 14, 2015)
I RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS TRUCK NOT ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC AND REPLACED THE TURBO SPEED SENSOR APROX 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THIS. THIS TRIP ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND CAR STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE, I ASSUMED SAME ISSUE, PUT IT IN CRUISE CONTROL, CAR STABILIZED FOR ABOUT 3 MILES THEN STARTED JERKING FORWARD, I TOOK CRUISE OFF, AND WHOLE TRUCK STOPPED ACCEL, THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN! NO POWER STEERING, NO HEAT, NO NOTHING! I PULLED INTO ON RAMP V SECTION TO GET OUT OF SLOW LANE (I95S) IT WAS 6:20 AM SO STI…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10716531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10664452 · 2014-12-15 (December 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED REPEATEDLY BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10664452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122303 · 2018-08-25 (August 25, 2018)
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE STAYS ON, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY LOSES TRANSMISSION POWER AND LEAVE ME STRANDED AND IN DANGER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS PUT BOTH MY WIFE AND IN ME IN PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS WHEN THE CAR HAS ABRUPTLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND WE HAVE TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A YEAR. BOTH IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY. AS LONG AS I SLIGHTLY OVER FILL THE TRANSMISSION WITH FLUID, IT WILL DRIVE FINE FOR ANOTHER 3 OR 4 MONTHS WITH NO ISSUES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I C…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11001799 · 2017-06-27 (June 27, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL, SHIFTING MISFIRE, FAULTY BATTERY AND LOW GAS MILEAGE
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11001799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396324 · 2021-02-15 (February 15, 2021)
ENGINE COMPUTER /TRANSMISSION /ALT AT BILL TALLEY FORD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INSTALLED ALT. THEN WAS TOLD I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NEVER HAD BEFORE THEY PROGRAMED ENGINE COMPUTER TWO TIMES AND GAVE THE CAR BACK BACK TO ME WITH PROBLEMS I NEVER HAD AND COULD SOLVE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11396324 at NHTSA ↗