This article updates TSB 25-2154. Reasons for update: *Parts List *Service Procedure to replace the output planetary carrier assembly *Added 2023-2024 model year vehicles Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h) No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) present Traceable shudder event with IDS/FDRS reading *(Figure 1)* This condition may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to a concern with the output planetary assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Lincoln MKX engine problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Lincoln MKX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Lincoln MKX in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine, 2021-2023 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2021-2024 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, and 2021-2024 Bronco and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine. This noise may occur on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to an internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. Workshop Manual (WSM)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2021-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2021-2025 Bronco/Bronco Sport/E-Series/Escape/Corsair/Expedition/Navigator/Explorer/Aviator/F-150/F-Super Duty/Mustang/Ranger, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an A/C compressor clutch assembly replacement be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 412-00 Removal and Installation has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the A/C compressor to change out the A/C Compressor clutch assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Ranger/Transit/E-Series, 2021-2025 Bronco, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an engine cooling system flush to be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03 has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the radiator assembly to perform a radiator flush.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Lincoln MKX shows a pattern of serious engine and drivetrain failures across multiple failure modes. Water pump fractures between 90,000 and 122,000 miles cause coolant to flood into the engine, triggering sudden loss of power, overheating warnings, and smoke—sometimes at highway speeds with no warning. Owners report needing full engine replacement ($6,000 documented), even on meticulously maintained vehicles. A class action suit exists, but dealers never notified owners of the design issue, and Lincoln Quality refused any assistance.
PCM failures and bad coil packs cause persistent misfires, vibration, and stalling between 81,000 and 174,000 miles. Dealers sometimes repair coils and spark plugs without replacing the faulty PCM, so the problem recurs immediately. One transmission cooler developed leaks from road debris impact, though Lincoln denied warranty coverage and refused to acknowledge the exposed design as defective. A fuel leak ignited while one owner was driving at 35 mph. Across all failures, owners consistently report the manufacturer offering no recalls, no proactive notifications, and no financial assistance despite serious safety and reliability issues.
Failure modes owners describe
Water Pump Failure
Internal water pump fractures or fails, allowing coolant to enter the engine and mix with oil. Owners report sudden engine stalls, overheating warnings, smoke from the engine compartment, and subsequent engine failure requiring full replacement.
When: Between 90,000 and 122,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling at highway speeds; Loss of all engine power; Overheating warning displayed; Smoke from engine compartment; Check engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement (reported at $6,000); water pump replacement; owner at 122k miles had meticulously maintained vehicle but was not notified of design issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action suit exists but owners report no dealer notification; Lincoln Quality offered only apologies, no assistance offered by manufacturer in documented cases
PCM and Ignition Coil/Spark Plug Failures
Power Control Module (PCM) failures lead to defective coil packs and spark plugs, causing misfires, vibration, stalling, and loss of power. Owners report initial repairs were inadequate (welding instead of replacement), and repeated failures occur when the underlying PCM is not replaced.
When: 81,600 to 174,000 miles; one case recurred immediately after initial dealer repair
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle vibration and hesitation; Engine misfiring; Vehicle stalling without restart; Loss of power while driving
Codes mentioned: Number one injector misfiring, Number six coil failure
Repairs/costs cited: Coils and spark plugs replaced; one shop welded cracked coil pack ($962) instead of replacing and PCM; full PCM replacement cost not specified; second opinion repair (coils/plugs only) did not address root PCM cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance offered; dealer repair was inadequate on first attempt
Fuel Leak and Engine Fire
Fuel leak in the engine bay that ignited while vehicle was moving at low speed. Passenger had to manually extinguish fire. Mechanic confirmed fuel leak as cause.
When: 103,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire while driving; Smell of gasoline inside or outside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Local mechanic repaired fuel leak; repair cost not specified
Transmission Fluid Cooler Leaks
Transmission fluid leaks from damaged cooler lines located in front of the vehicle near the radiator. Owner reports many stones embedded in the cooler, suggesting vulnerability to road debris; manufacturer denies this is a defect.
When: Not specified; one case at unknown mileage, another mentions ongoing leaks
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leaking onto ground; Smell of gasoline noted in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Warranty denied; replacement cooler cost not stated; owner questions exposed design vulnerability to road debris
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lincoln warranty denied coverage, claiming damage from road stones; manufacturer will not acknowledge as defect
Power Take-Off Unit Failure
Power take-off unit (PTO) internal failure causes fluid leak while vehicle is parked. Function and operating principle unclear from narrative, but failure is confirmed by dealer.
When: 74,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking onto ground while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Power take-off unit replaced; repair completed at dealer
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When we purchased the vehicle from valley Cadillac in roanoke va in 2014. We smelled something burning a few days later. We took it back to the dealer who kept it for over a week. They told me that they would have to send it to the Ford dealer because they couldn't repair it.I was never was told what the issue was only that it cost upwards of $800. Here we are and I was stranded on i81 because…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Lincoln MKX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Lincoln MKX?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 81,600 and 131,632 miles, with the median around 103,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 81,600; a quarter make it past 131,632. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Lincoln/MKX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.