The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lexus RX 172012 Acura MDX 202012 BMW X5 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Lincoln MKX
- Brake booster / hard pedal11 complaintsmostly at 46,000–137,000 miles (75,000–220,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 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 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 14V393000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Lincoln sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some vehicles will experience, from brake booster, a grunting noise during first portion of…”?
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 13 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 15K to 32K miles (24K to 51K km) on the car (10 of all 13 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.
In owners' words
Vehicle power & computer failed (shut off) while driving at 40 mph in clear weather.
2012 Lincoln MKX owner · NHTSA complaint 10535100
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some vehicles will experience, from brake booster, a grunting noise during first portion of…
- See document search button for owner letter
- 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 1
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
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.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKX SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKX SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKX year. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkx/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Lincoln MKX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 47; 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 2012 Lincoln MKX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (38%), electrical (23%) and body structure (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lincoln MKX get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKX safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Lincoln MKX cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Lincoln MKX have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKX year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third 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