The Lemon Index
200820111st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: body structure
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Lexus RX 812010 Acura MDX 192010 BMW X5 28
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2010 Lincoln MKX
- Brake booster / hard pedal12 complaintsmostly at 86,000–124,000 miles (138,000–200,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Lincoln MKX (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 9 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?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 34 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ford/lincoln: transmission built before 6/1/10 with 4th gear start, delay/hesitation on…”?
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 10 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 10K to 35K miles (16K to 56K km) on the car (9 of all 10 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 34 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: transmission built before 6/1/10 with 4th gear start, delay/hesitation on…
- Ford/lincoln: the banjo fitting that is attaching pressure hose to steering gear is…
- No service action is recommended for this condition
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 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other 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 2015
Due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use, the affected.
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,150 (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. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkx/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Lincoln MKX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKX year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2010 Lincoln MKX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (20%), visibility (20%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Lincoln MKX get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Lincoln MKX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Lincoln MKX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Lincoln MKX year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Lincoln MKX years within 3 model years of it. 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