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Your vehicleHome›Lincoln›MKX› 2016
Lincoln · Compact SUV

2016 Lincoln MKX

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
58 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 7
Complaints6 crash · 3 fire · 3 injured reported 156
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 20 mpg
201820172016

The 2016 Lincoln MKX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the MKX FWD, is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 156 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Lincoln MKX — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln MKX · Photo: Dinkun Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MKX FWDGasFWD3.7L 6-cyl172520$3,350
MKX FWDGasFWD2.7L 6-cyl turbo182620$3,350
MKX AWDGasAWD2.7L 6-cyl turbo172419$3,550
MKX AWDGasAWD3.7L 6-cyl162319$3,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36294, 36295, 36297, 36298.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
MKX AWD, MKX FWD5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
MKX AWD, MKX FWD5–7 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3.7 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower305 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

DrivetrainFWD/Front-Wheel Drive

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Premier, Reserve, Select). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length190.2 in
Width (body, without mirrors)76.0 in
Height66.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Track, front65.0 in
Track, rear64.6 in
Curb weight4,387 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear59/41

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 MKX
Other years The 2018 MKX Recalls Lincoln recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Lincoln MKX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

25S87
499,129 vehicles 10% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid. Risk A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V544000 reported Aug 22, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

20S42
488,594 vehicles 82% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely. Risk A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V469000 reported Aug 10, 2020 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

20S37
19,299 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. 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 deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash. Risk An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
NHTSA campaign 20V414000 reported Jul 17, 2020 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

19S41
54,411 vehicles 91% reported repaired built Nov 12, 2014 – Sep 11, 2017
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit. Risk An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on December 2, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available, currently expected to be the end of April 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S41.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V809000 reported Nov 12, 2019 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

19S26
116,160 vehicles 64% reported repaired built Nov 11, 2014 – Jun 26, 2015
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts. Risk If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V632000 reported Aug 29, 2019 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

17C02
27,531 vehicles 86% reported repaired built Nov 11, 2014 – Feb 15, 2017
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V123000 reported Feb 27, 2017 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Child Seat

16C09
5 vehicles 60% reported repaired built Sep 24, 2015 – Sep 24, 2015
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." Risk An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Fix Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C09.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V343000 reported May 24, 2016 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific MKX

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Lincoln publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Lincoln’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Lincoln MKX, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Lincoln MKX

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this MKX →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
156complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 3 · 2016: 28 · 2017: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 27

Most-cited components

Service Brakes → 62
Engine 33
Electrical System 27
Unspecified 22
Power Train 12
Fuel/Propulsion System 12

In depth: brake problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

While driving on a highway in rush hour traffic, my vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and warning light/wrench symbol came on. I could not accelerate over 10 MPH and limped to side of road. I turned off vehicle for about 20 minutes, after that turned back on and vehicle worked completely normal.
Engine at 10,400 miles Oct 18, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10917221
I was driving to my son's house when the car lost power there was a chime warning and on the dash a menu starting the hill assist was not available the engine continue to run but there was no response when I pressed on the accelerator the car would only due about 3 miles at idle speed.
Vehicle Speed Control at 7,401 miles Oct 13, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10915740
On 3 separate occasions (most recent on 9/16/16) power to vehicle simply cuts out - on two occasions it has occurred at high speeds on busy interstate with heavy traffic. Extreme danger, as unable to timely pull to side of the road causing traffic jams and potential accidents/rear-ends.
Electrical System at 12,000 miles Sep 19, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10907519
I was driving in the center lane on the brooklyn queens expressway traveling home from astoria, queens to my home in brooklyn. Having passed the atlantic avenue exit at approximately 3:15 PM and pressing on the gas pedal, the car lost acceleration and no matter how much I pressed the gas pedal the car could only go about 10 miles an…
Fuel/Propulsion System at 2,307 miles Sep 13, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10906061
Traveling down interstate at 70 MPH, when vehicle lost power. Service warning light appeared on dash, followed quickly by engine service light. No response to the gas pedal. Turned off vehicle and restarted and it operated normally for about 10 minutes. 11000 miles on an 8 month old Mkx. Serious safety issue
Power Train at 11,000 miles Aug 2, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10892344
There is a serious flaw/design with the way the bar is attached to the brake pedal,also the brake pedal pad is way too small. When I AM driving and I need to brake my foot hits the metal bar that supports the brake pedal,which makes it very uncomfortable to stop. On numerous occasions I almost hit the car in front of me due to this flaw.
Service Brakes at 100 miles Jan 14, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10820152

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Lincoln itself: 36 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 41 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every MKX model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 21k

miles, typically

Half the 85 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 6,000 and 51,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 32
10k–20k 9
20k–30k 12
30k–40k 4
40k–50k 5
50k–60k 6
60k–70k 4
70k–80k 3
80k–90k 3
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 7
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine287,4500.12×
Service Brakes2364,2001.6×
Electrical System1617,0000.38×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.12×), electrical system (0.38×); later: service brakes (1.6×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 221
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-11
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 217 service bulletins, 2 emissionss, 2 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Steering, Seats.

  • 25N13 Other
    2026-09-11 · Service Brakes
  • Customer Satisfaction Program 25N13 Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge and 2016-2018 Model Year MKX Vehicles Rear Brake Flexible Hose Replacement
  • 25N17 Other
    2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention — Rearview System Braking
  • Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
  • SSM 54504 Service bulletin
    2026-01-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • Some 2016-2017 Edge/MKX, 2017 Continental/Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine and built on 1-Apr-2016 and through 1-Jan-2017 may exhibit white or blue smoke from the exhaust, rough idle in neutral or park at normal operating temperature or after a hot restart. The vehicle may also exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DT
  • TSB 25-2570 Service bulletin
    2025-11-26 · Electrical System
  • This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to:  Display operation concerns  Navigation inoperative  Voice recognition concerns  Phone connection issues  Dropped phone connections  Applink related performance  Travel Link not present
  • 25E02 Emissions
    2025-11-25 · Power Train
  • The affected vehicles have an emissions control system that does not account for certain in-use conditions and might not control tailpipe emissions effectively over time.
  • SSM 54366 Service bulletin
    2025-11-12 · Power Train
  • Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
  • 25E02 Emissions
    2025-10-13 · Unknown Or Other
  • The affected vehicles have an emissions control system that does not account for certain in-use conditions and might not control tailpipe emissions effectively over time.
  • TSB 25-2395 Service bulletin
    2025-08-27 · Engine
  • This article supersedes TSB 24-2345 to update the Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to a lack of RTV adhesion.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
U3000
U3000 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Steering6 bulletins
P0011
P0011 on Lincoln →		Camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded.Power Train4 bulletins
P0012
P0012 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0014
P0014 on Lincoln →		The second camshaft on bank 1 is timed further advanced than commanded.Power Train4 bulletins
P0015
P0015 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0016
P0016 on Lincoln →		The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser.Power Train4 bulletins
P0017
P0017 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0018
P0018 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0019
P0019 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0021
P0021 on Lincoln →		Camshaft timing on bank 2 is more advanced than commanded.Power Train4 bulletins
P0022
P0022 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins
P0024
P0024 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Lincoln MKX failed the emissions check on 4.8% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.5% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 4.8%

failed emissions

765 initial inspections of 748 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 MKXEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check4.8%4.2%764
Failed the safety inspection2.5%2.2%765
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.27%765
Miles driven a year9,36810,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer96,241103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

MKX by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2018 C 5 31 20 mpg2017 D 5 52 20 mpg2016 this page F 7 156 20 mpg

Common questions about the 2016 MKX

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKX have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 19V809000, covering Electrical System. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Lincoln MKX 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (58/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Lincoln MKX, the best EPA combined figure is 20 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Transport Canada measured it at 190.2 in long, 76.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.1 in tall, on a 112.2 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,387 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln MKX, most often about service brakes, engine, electrical system. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Lincoln MKX runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, LEV-III ULEV125, LEV-III ULEV70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Lincoln MKX?

The manufacturer has filed 221 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Lincoln MKX, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-11. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Lincoln MKX do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Lincoln MKX failed the emissions check on 4.8% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.5% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints156NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins221NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2018 MKX The MKX model year with the cleanest record on file — grade C, 5 recalls.Recalls Every Lincoln recall on file All campaigns filed against Lincoln vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this MKX by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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