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. Also noticed there are several complaints on the internet from others who experience similarities of what is call ghost…
2013 Lincoln MKX electrical problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 28 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Owners have filed 28 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of Lincoln MKX in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Door ajar sensors fail chronically on these MKX models, preventing door locks from engaging while driving and draining batteries—a significant safety and security issue. Multiple electrical faults including infotainment blackouts, brake failures, and acceleration loss have also been reported, with dealers often unable to replicate or resolve the problems.
Door ajar sensor faults dominate the electrical complaints on these MKX models. The door sensors falsely report open doors while closed, keeping the door-ajar light illuminated and preventing the doors from locking while driving or parked. This triggers unwanted dome light activation, false alarm triggers, and battery drain. Some owners report having to slam doors repeatedly to clear the warning, or unplugging the battery as a workaround. Repair costs run $420 per sensor, totaling over $1,200 for multiple failed sensors.
Beyond door sensors, owners describe intermittent power loss and system resets while driving. The infotainment system (SYNC) blacks out unexpectedly, forcing the car to stall mid-highway. The dashboard control panel, navigation, climate, and phone functions freeze or go dark for several minutes. One owner lost all power while starting; another experienced a brake pedal that dropped to the floor after a power loss event.
Other electrical faults include brake booster failure at low mileage (41,700 miles), BLIB module faults (blind spot and cross-traffic sensor module), and a loss of acceleration that requires shutdown and restart. Climate control exhibits ghost button activation—buttons press themselves without input—and mixed temperature outputs (heat on passenger side, cold on driver side simultaneously). One narrative describes a vehicle fire that consumed the cab within 90 minutes. Key fobs are overly sensitive and trigger unintended window and sunroof operation from contact in pockets or bags.
Same Lincoln MKX electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Door ajar sensor fault
Door sensors malfunction, falsely reporting door open status when closed. The door-ajar warning light remains on continuously, preventing door lock engagement and triggering false alarms. Dome lights stay on while driving or at random intervals. Some owners report needing to slam doors repeatedly to reset the sensor.
When: Started 2014–2015 for most; one owner reports recurring failures on different doors yearly (2014–2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Door ajar warning light stays on when doors are closed; Doors will not lock while driving or parked; Dome light illuminates at random times or stays on after ignition off; Alarm triggers spontaneously while parked or armed; Shift-to-Park warning flashes repeatedly while in motion; Battery drain over time
Repairs/costs cited: $420 per sensor replacement quoted by dealership; owner estimated $1,200+ for four sensors. Multiple door latches replaced across vehicle lifespan.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated issue not covered under recall. Owner advised to have purchased extended warranty. No recall issued despite multiple model years and repeated occurrences.
SYNC system reboot and power loss while driving
Infotainment system (SYNC) reboots unprompted during highway driving. Dashboard goes black, navigation input is lost, and the vehicle stalls. Power is restored after 1–2 minutes or manual restart. Occurs multiple times across narrative set, sometimes clustered in the same week.
When: Events reported in 2014 and later; no specific mileage given in most cases
Symptoms owners cite: SYNC screen goes black while using navigation at highway speed; Dashboard control panel (phone, navigation, climate, Sirius) freezes or blacks out; Vehicle stalls in middle of highway with no power; Automatic restart after 1–3 minutes; Loss of navigation data requiring re-entry
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to replicate in some cases. One owner reports dealer replaced computer module controlling traffic info; no change. System upgrade required for radio functions per one narrative.
Brake system failure
Two distinct brake failures reported: brake booster failure at low mileage causing hard pedal and poor stopping power, and brake pedal drop to floorboard after power loss events. One owner had to nurse brakes for 4 hours at low speed due to inadequate braking.
When: One at 41,700 miles; timing not specified for second instance
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal hard to push and goes to floorboard; Reduced braking power requiring longer stopping distance; Loss of brake function after vehicle power loss event; ABS activation correlates with pedal drop
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement needed at 41,700 miles. ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leak diagnosed; parts on back order per one owner.
Loss of acceleration and throttle response
Engine loses all acceleration randomly while driving. Vehicle must be brought to complete stop, turned off, and restarted to restore power. No warning light or diagnostic message precedes the event. Occurs without pattern, creating hazard on highways and interstates.
When: Timing not specified; occurs randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of acceleration when pressing gas pedal; Vehicle requires drift to complete stop; Must turn off engine and restart to regain power; No warning light or message display; Occurs without warning on highways at speed (50–65 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to replicate problem; vehicle returned twice unrepaired with statement 'nothing wrong with car.' Another narrative mentions throttle body replacement followed by recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to duplicate and cleared vehicle as safe.
BLIB module (blind spot and cross-traffic sensor) fault
Blind spot and cross-traffic warning sensors fault. BLIB module requires replacement. Fault warning messages appear during driving. Failure mode creates safety hazard if drivers rely on these sensors for reversing or lane changes.
When: Two months after purchase in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot and cross-traffic sensor warning messages; Blind spot alert system inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: BLIB module replacement required.
Climate control malfunction and sensor errors
HVAC system delivers incorrect temperature zones simultaneously (heat on passenger, cold on driver), or buttons activate without input. One owner experienced ghost buttons on climate and air controls that activate on their own, causing automatic switching between heating and cooling modes and fogged windows while driving. HVAC and PCM modules required VIN recoding.
When: One incident started after cabin air filter change; 'last year or two' for ghost button issue
Symptoms owners cite: Heat blows on passenger side, cold on driver side at same time; Climate control buttons activate without manual input (ghost buttons); System cycles between heat and air conditioning uncontrollably; Fogged windows during driving; Sensor errors trigger engine overheating (reported twice)
Repairs/costs cited: HVAC and PCM module VIN recoding: $385 for two hours labor. Dealer described as a 'glitch.' Ghost button issue unresolved.
Key fob over-sensitivity
Electronic key fobs are overly sensitive and activate locks, windows, sunroof, and alarm from unintended button presses in pockets, bags, or backpacks. Owner reports windows rolled down in rain, soaking interior; sunroof and tailgate opened unintentionally; alarm set off repeatedly.
When: Multiple occasions over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Windows roll down unintentionally; Sunroof opens without input; Tailgate opens without input; Alarm activates from accidental button press; Buttons easily activated while in pocket or bag
Low oil pressure warning and stall
Low oil pressure warning light illuminates while driving, followed by engine stall. Oil level checks normal. One narrative reports recurrence after throttle body replacement. Another reports stall in rush hour traffic.
When: 2017 in one case; another while in traffic at unspecified date
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light activation while driving; Engine stall following warning; Oil level confirmed normal by inspection; Recurrence after dealership repair
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced throttle body; problem recurred one month later. Vehicle currently in shop per one narrative.
Park mode registration failure
Vehicle does not register that it is in park position. The P indicator does not illuminate on dashboard, and a warning message prompts the driver to put the car in park even though it is already in park.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Park position not registered by vehicle electronics; P indicator light does not illuminate; Dashboard warning message displays 'put car in park' while in park
Navigation system failure
Navigation system stops receiving traffic information. All other Sirius and SYNC data functions normally. One dealership replaced the computer module controlling this function with no improvement; escalation to Ford tech support required.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Traffic information no longer displays on navigation screen; Other Sirius and SYNC functions work normally; No change after module replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Computer module replacement did not resolve. Escalated to Ford tech support. Radio function failure required system upgrade.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: System upgrade performed for radio function.
Engine stall on refueling and check engine light
Vehicle fails to start on first attempt after refueling. Check engine light appears. Issue persists over months. Owner took vehicle to dealership in 2016 and was told nothing was wrong despite ongoing failure. Later escalated to low oil pressure warning and stalls while driving.
When: Began after purchase in November 2015; check engine light appeared months later; low pressure event in 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start on first attempt after refueling; Check engine light illuminates; Low oil pressure warning and stall (later in timeline); Issue repeats even after throttle body replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially found no issue (2016). Throttle body replaced; recurred one month later. Vehicle in shop at time of complaint.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Brake failure. Pedal drops, especially when ABS is activated. Dealer diagnosed ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leak. Parts for this are on back order per dealer leaving me with a dangerous driving situation or inability to use my vehicle. No warning lamp or message displays. The fact that the parts to fix a major safety item are not available is unacceptable.
When the air condition is on it is cool for a while then the heat is on and will not go back to air condition. Same problem with the heat it is warm for a while and then the air condition comes on. Also, I have had warm air on the passenger side and cool air on the drivers side at the same time.
The electronic keys for the car are way too sensitive. They can be in a purse or backpack and the buttons can be pressed down. They are also easily pressed down if you have them in your pocket with another item. On multiple occasions we have walked out to our car and had the windows all down, the sun roof open and or the tailgate up. We frequently will set off the alarm. One time it had…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 10,245 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,245; a quarter make it past 83,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.