Lincoln MKX Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 103 of the 1,102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2018 Lincoln MKX (9.3%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2008, 2013 and 2011.
Transmission complaints
103
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2018 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
9.3%
of 1,102 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Lincoln MKX transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008WORST | 30 | 11.9% | 0 | — | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 | 4.6% | 0 | — | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 | 3.6% | 0 | — | 7 |
| 2011WORST | 12 | 8.1% | 0 | — | 5 |
| 2012 | 11 | 13.1% | 1 | 14V393000 | 0 |
| 2013WORST | 16 | 9.9% | 1 | 14V393000 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 | 20.6% | 2 | 14V393000 | 0 |
| 2015 | 5 | 26.3% | 0 | — | 9 |
| 2016 | 11 | 7.6% | 1 | — | 17 |
| 2017 | 3 | 5.8% | 0 | — | 12 |
| 2018 | 1 | 3.4% | 0 | — | 15 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Lincoln MKX transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 103 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Lincoln MKX years to avoid for the transmission
2008 Lincoln MKX
30 transmission complaints (11.9% of the year's 253). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2013 Lincoln MKX
16 transmission complaints (9.9% of the year's 162). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 14V393000.
2011 Lincoln MKX
12 transmission complaints (8.1% of the year's 148). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Lincoln MKX years to avoid.
Lincoln MKX transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Lincoln MKX model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 14V393000 · 2014-07-02 · 2012–2014 models
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.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 30 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2008 Lincoln MKX, 11.9% of all 253 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (7 complaints).
Does the 2013 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 16 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Lincoln MKX, 9.9% of all 162 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (2 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 14V393000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 12 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, 8.1% of all 148 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (2 complaints).
Which Lincoln MKX years have the most transmission complaints?
2008 (30), 2013 (16) and 2011 (12), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Lincoln MKX transmission problems?
In the 103 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (12.6%), loss of power or limp mode (12.6%) and whining, grinding or humming noise (4.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Lincoln MKX model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration