The Lemon Index
200720101st generation
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Lexus RX 612008 Acura MDX2008 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V158000 (airbags), 21E013000 (airbags) and 21V081000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Lincoln sent dealers 29 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “6f50 transaxles built prior to 1/1/07 - dtc p0715, p0717, p0718, p0720, and/or harsh…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 34K miles (13K to 56K km) on the car (8 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 29 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 6f50 transaxles built prior to 1/1/07 - dtc p0715, p0717, p0718, p0720, and/or harsh…
- Ford/mercury/lincoln: some vehicles equipped with a 6f50 transaxle , with any output shaft…
- 6f50 transaxle equipped vehicles when stopped on a hill in drive or reverse without service…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute hu…
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
Due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use, the affected vehicles may leak fuel from the fuel tank seam weld und.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 142 MY 2008 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKK ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFront suspension lower ball joint2009
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKX year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkx/?y=2008" title="Lincoln MKX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-mkx/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Lincoln MKX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Lincoln MKX reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Lincoln MKX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (25%), doors, locks & latches (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Lincoln MKX get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Lincoln MKX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKX year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works