2016 Lincoln Mkx

The 6F50 six-speed automatic transmission develops a pronounced shudder during light throttle acceleration between 30-50 mph, caused by worn torque converter clutch material contaminating the fluid. Hard shifts and delayed gear engagement are also common, especially when the transmission is cold.

Perform a complete transmission fluid flush with the specified Mercon LV fluid. If the shudder returns within a few thousand miles, the torque converter needs replacement. Ford issued TSBs addressing MKX transmission shudder. Keep transmission fluid changes on a 30,000-mile schedule.

The HVAC blend door actuator fails, causing the climate control to blow only hot air on one side, only cold air, or to make a clicking or knocking sound behind the dashboard. The dual-zone climate control system in the MKX uses multiple actuators, and any one of them can fail independently.

Diagnose which actuator has failed using the HVAC self-test procedure or a scan tool. Replace the faulty blend door actuator. The driver-side actuator is accessible from under the dash, but the passenger-side and mode door actuators may require partial dashboard removal.

The power liftgate gas struts lose their holding force and the liftgate will not stay open or drops down slowly. The power liftgate motor can also fail, making the liftgate difficult to open or close electronically. This is a common age-related issue on 2011-2018 MKX models.

Replace the liftgate gas struts with new units. If the power liftgate motor has failed, it needs replacement along with the liftgate latch assembly. Inspect the liftgate wiring harness at the hinge area for broken or frayed wires caused by repeated opening and closing.

The MKX is prone to various electrical issues including warning lights illuminating without cause, the instrument cluster going dark, the SYNC system rebooting randomly, and door locks cycling on their own. These are caused by body control module communication errors and degraded wiring connections.

Have the dealer perform a full module scan to identify communication errors. Check the battery terminals and ground connections for corrosion. Update all module firmware to the latest versions. If the body control module is faulty, it will need replacement and reprogramming.

The water pump on the 3.7L V6 engine develops bearing wear and seal leaks. Coolant drips from the weep hole at the bottom of the pump, and the pump may produce a squealing or grinding noise as the bearing deteriorates. If the pump fails completely, the engine will overheat rapidly.

Replace the water pump and serpentine belt. Unlike the 3.5L EcoBoost, the 3.7L V6 water pump is externally mounted and belt-driven, making the repair much more accessible and affordable. Replace the coolant and thermostat while the system is drained.

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.

A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 April 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

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.