Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX Vehicles - Extended Warranty Coverage on Brake Booster
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Lincoln MKX brakes problems
severe 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 56 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 11 model years of Lincoln MKX we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 56.
Brakes accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX Vehicles - Extended Warranty Coverage on Brake Booster
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. UNDER DRIVING AND CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A SMALL TEAR CAN DEVELOP IN THE DIAPHRAGM OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND A HISSING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING PEDAL AND EXPERIENCE A SPONGY PEDAL, WITHOUT EFFECT BRAKING PERFORMANCE. MODEL 2010-2013 EDGE, MKX. UPDATED 2/6/15.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a serious pattern of brake failure across 2013 Lincoln MKX models. The most common complaint involves the power brake booster losing effectiveness, forcing drivers to push the pedal far down or to the floor to stop the vehicle. Hissing or squealing sounds often accompany this loss of power assist, but no dashboard warning lights appear. Some owners report the booster fails again within months or years of replacement.
The ABS module and hydraulic control unit also fail frequently, sometimes in cascade—a driver may get the booster replaced only to find the ABS module then fails, leaving brakes unresponsive. Multiple owners have been stranded at repair shops waiting for backorder parts that take weeks or months to arrive. A few owners experienced hard brake pedal conditions requiring excessive force, and one reported sudden complete parking brake failure.
Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Program 13N02 covering brake booster repairs at no cost for vehicles manufactured through March 28, 2013, but owners whose vehicles were built just days or weeks later—despite having identical failures—are denied coverage. Many owners did not receive timely notice of the program and only learned of it after the deadline passed. Repair costs for those outside the recall window run $180–$1,400 depending on which components fail and whether other systems are also damaged.
Same Lincoln MKX brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster failure—soft/spongy pedal, loss of power assist
The power brake booster loses effectiveness, causing the pedal to feel soft or spongy and requiring excessive force to stop the vehicle. Hissing or squealing sounds often accompany the failure. In severe cases, owners must push the pedal nearly to the floor to achieve any braking. This defect leaves drivers without warning lights on the dashboard.
When: 31,000 to 199,000 miles; many reported at 80,000–130,000 miles; some as early as 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Soft or spongy brake pedal; Brake pedal travels far down or to the floor with little effect; Hissing or squealing noise from brake system; Requires excessive foot pressure to stop vehicle; Loss of power-assisted braking; No warning lights on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement is the repair; costs mentioned range from $180 to $1,413 depending on dealer and whether other parts fail. Extended warranty coverage varies by manufacture date. Some owners report the booster fails again within months or years of replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 13N02 (recalled only vehicles built through March 28, 2013, at Oakville Assembly Plant); owners whose VINs fall outside the recall window report repeated denials despite identical symptoms. Some owners cite an extended warranty Ford offers on the part, but availability and coverage enforcement are inconsistent. Lincoln dealers directed some owners to NHTSA rather than honoring repair requests.
ABS module/hydraulic control unit failure
The anti-lock braking system module or hydraulic control unit (HECU) fails, resulting in no braking response or severely compromised stopping ability. These components appear prone to cascading failures; replacing one may reveal a second failure. National backorders are common, leaving vehicles stranded at repair shops.
When: 62,000 to 150,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no stopping effect; ABS light illuminated on dashboard; Brake warning light illuminated; Multiple failures in a short period (same owner experiencing 3–4 failures); After brake booster replacement, ABS module then fails
Codes mentioned: U3000; 49-68, DTC code retrieved during dealer diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement ABS modules and hydraulic control units are frequently on national backorder. Refurbished units have been used when new parts are unavailable. One owner reported $600–$900 out-of-pocket costs after recalls expired. Repair costs can exceed $1,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty covers ABS module replacement under some recalls, but only if the vehicle VIN is registered in the recall system. HECU is often not covered. Some owners received case numbers but no repair assistance.
Brake master cylinder failure
The brake master cylinder fails, causing loss of braking pressure and forcing the pedal to the floor. One owner experienced multiple failures of both master cylinder and booster in sequence.
When: Approximately 126,000 miles noted; timeline unclear for others
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor; Loss of braking pressure; Failure reoccurs even after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement performed; however, failure reoccurred after repair, and the vehicle was diagnosed with an additional ABS failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline for assistance; no direct repair support offered.
Parking brake failure
A single incident of complete parking brake failure, resulting in an uncontrolled rolldown of the vehicle over 300 yards, striking a person and eventually colliding with a building.
When: 243,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake failure; vehicle rolled downhill uncontrolled; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer determined vehicle was functioning as intended and made no repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealer concluded no defect.
ABS valve sticking—brake pedal collapse on bumpy road
On uneven road surfaces, the brake pedal suddenly drops to the floor due to a sticking valve in the ABS system. Owner had to remove ABS fuses to restore normal brake function, resulting in illuminated ABS and brake warning lights but functional braking.
When: Unknown mileage; reported as an intermittent condition
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal suddenly goes to floor on bumpy road; Multiple pumps of brake pedal needed to activate brakes; ABS light illuminated after fuse removal workaround
Repairs/costs cited: Owner self-repaired by removing ABS pump and module fuses to bypass the faulty valve. This restored normal brake pressure but left warning lights on.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Hard brake pedal—excessive pedal effort
Brake pedal becomes abnormally stiff or hard to depress, requiring significant foot pressure to achieve any stopping effect. Some owners reported their family members unable to operate the brakes at all due to the force required.
When: Generally 80,000–110,000 miles, but reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal is very stiff and difficult to depress; Requires excessive force (standing on pedal with two feet, or force that some family members cannot produce); No warning lights
Codes mentioned: U0401
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had battery and power assist unit replaced to fix the issue. Another reported brake booster vacuum hose and squealing associated with hard pedal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford replaced battery and power assist unit under warranty in one case. One owner mentioned extended warranty coverage for the power assist unit but was denied because manufacture date fell outside recall window.
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 therefore my claim would be not honored under recall
Brake Booster faulty almost caused me to not to be able to come to a complete stop in traffic. My thoughts were that I needed to have brakes replaced. I did have front and back replaced. But braking are still the same the same ..not coming to a complete stop, hissing sound.
When driving the vehicle, the brakes got stiff and mushy and hard to stop the car. There was not indicator on the dash there was an issue with the brakes. Had it checked by a mechanic and he stated it needed to go to the dealership since it was the brake booster which needed attention. I looked for recalls on this model and they had one in 2015 time frame, but I did not purchase it used until…
The Brake Booster on my vehicle failed. I had it replaced and two years later it failed again. Many owners of the 2013 Lincoln MKX have this same issue. This is very dangerous and it putting my families and others lives in danger if my brakes were to completely fail while driving down the highway. There should be some kind of recall on this as I have seen thousands of complaints for the same…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKX?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 62,000 and 125,482 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 125,482. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2013/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.