Reliable Auto DB

2013 Lincoln MKX reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Lincoln MKX holds 163 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most MKX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Axle shaft.

2012 Lincoln MKX
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

163

Per year

5

Recalls

1

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (60 of 163), then Electrical system (30) and Powertrain (16). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 MKX has 84 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2014 has 35 complaints, 3 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Lincoln MKX. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2014-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 14V393000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Complaints by component (163 total)

Service brakes
60
Electrical system
30
Powertrain
16
Engine
15
Structure
9
Speed control
7
Hydraulic brakes
6
Back-over prevention
5
Fuel and propulsion system
5
Suspension
5
Exterior lighting
4
Steering
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Engine and engine cooling
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Visibility
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Wheels
2
Air bags
1
Equipment
1
Lane departure
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seat belts
1
Tires
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

2

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

42013820142201562016192017172018212019172020142021820222520231220246202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Back up camera don't work half the time or it is upside down and don't allow proper visibility to back up safely. Have to rely on mirrors and windows to back up."
    Electrical system, Lane departure · filed 2026-07-11
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the transmission warning light illuminated.…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-06-08
  • "My rear veiw camera only works when it wants to. It is either upside down and no use for backing up or black screen with no working message. I see other years are being recalled for that same reason."
    Back-over prevention · filed 2026-04-26
  • "1. Rear diff is making grinding noise, front ptu is making a grinding noise and pinion seal is leaking, front axle throwing grease out inner boot. 2. Car stopping in middle of travel. Had a hard time getting it off the…"
    Suspension, Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-25
  • "Brake failure. Pedal drops, especially when ABS is activated. Dealer diagnosed ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leak. Parts for this are on back order per dealer leaving me with a dangerous driving situation or…"
    Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2025-12-15

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Lincoln MKX SUV FWD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
MKX all-wheel drive 3.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 17 23 19 MPG $3400
MKX front-wheel drive 3.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 26 21 MPG $3100

Specs and fitment

Second generation, 2012–2015
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 (3.7L) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 245/60R18, 245/50R20, 265/40R22 (trim dependent)

Compare

Previous year 2012 Lincoln MKX Next year 2014 Lincoln MKX See every Lincoln MKX model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Lincoln MKX holds 163 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most MKX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Axle shaft.

What are common problems with a 2013 Lincoln MKX?

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (60 of 163), then Electrical system (30) and Powertrain (16). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 MKX has 84 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2014 has 35 complaints, 3 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Lincoln MKX been recalled?

The 2013 Lincoln MKX has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Lincoln MKX?

Owners have filed 163 complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKX with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Lincoln MKX get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Lincoln MKX is 20 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln MKX take?

2012-2015: 5W-20 for the 3.7L. 2016-2018: 5W-30 for the 2.7L turbo and 5W-20 for the 3.7L. Confirm the filler-cap grade.

What tire sizes does the MKX use?

245/60R18, 245/50R20, and on earlier years 265/40R22 depending on trim.

What PTU odor issue is noted on late second-gen MKX?

Ford SSM 47230 notes that certain 2007–2016 Edge/MKX and related AWD vehicles built on or before 30-Jun-2016 may show a propane/natural-gas odor at idle or low speed from PTU fluid broken down by heat.