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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-LINCOLN-MKXNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Lincoln
2013 Lincoln MKX problems
The 2013 Lincoln MKX has 163 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Lincoln MKX has 163 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 56 complaints, typically surfacing around 95,055 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 MKX?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Brakes: 56 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–125,482 mi
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★3/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Lincoln MKX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 56 owner reports
· tends to show around 95,055 mi · ~$450 to fix
electrical — 29 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,894 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 15 owner reports
· tends to show around 54,384 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 47,098 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 95,055 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 MKX· powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Lincoln mkx. The contact stated while her husbands friend was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle felt as if they went over cement blocks and made a loud noise. There were no warning lights. The driver merged off the road. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that the heating and A/C units had increased to high levels. The defroster was fogging up the windshields. The driver had a limited visibility of the roadway. Additionally, the vehicle was running hot. There were no warning…
Noticed for the last year or two that the buttons on my air and best turn on without to touch any button and will not power off also the windows will fog while driving. If heat is on the buttons will dial to air conditioning which causes foggy windows while on busy interstate.…
Brake booster has tear preventing car from stopping when brake is applied,car has approximately 30100 miles. Took car to Lincoln dealer service dept and was told yes there is a problems with brake booster but my VIN no has not been recalled while others were for 2013 and…
Had a problem with your 2013 Lincoln MKX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013
If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Lincoln MKX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Lincoln MKX?
The 2013 Lincoln MKX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 56 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–125,482 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Lincoln MKX?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 56 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,055 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKX a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 163 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 95,055 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 56 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,055 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 95,055 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Lincoln MKX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 163 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Lincoln/MKX.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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