The Lemon Index
201620182nd generation
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 Lexus RX 392017 Acura MDX 1022017 BMW X5 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V544000 (brakes), 20V469000 (brakes) and 20V414000 (seats) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Lincoln sent dealers 168 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2015-2017 edge/mkx, escape/mkc, fusion/mkz and explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.0l or…”?
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 19 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 40K miles (13K to 64K km) on the car (12 of all 19 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 168 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2015-2017 edge/mkx, escape/mkc, fusion/mkz and explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.0l or…
- To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored…
- When servicing a 2.7l or 3.0l ecoboost engine, if the crankshaft pulley is removed, correct…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Brakes · recall issued 2025
The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
- Brakes · recall issued 2020
The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
- Seats · recall issued 2020
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 deploy…
Show all 5 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2019 3.7L engines only
The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
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
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKX year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkx/?y=2017" 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/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Lincoln MKX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 57; 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 2017 Lincoln MKX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (47%), engine (26%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln MKX have?
5 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Lincoln MKX get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Lincoln MKX safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 2017 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2017 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 2017 Lincoln MKX have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKX year is better than the 2017?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
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