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2016 Lincoln MKX steering problems
severe
Owners of the 2016 Lincoln MKX have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Lincoln MKX, by model year
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
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
Service BulletinSSM 47854Mar 2019
Some 2017-2019 F-Super Duty, 2017-2019 Continental, 2016-2019 Edge, 2016-2018 MKX, 2019 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit a U3000:49 diagnostic trouble code (DTC) setting in the Steering Effort Control Module (SECM) with no other DTCs present. To eliminate the DTC, perform the IDS SASM module reset routine. The IDS reset routine is available under Toolbox > Chassis > Steering > Adaptive Front Steering > SASM Module Reset. Do not attempt any repairs at this time. Engineering is investigating, monitor OASIS for updates. For claiming, use causal part 3600 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
2017-2019 F-Super Duty, 2017-2019 Continental, 2015-2019 Edge, 2016-2018 MKX and 2019 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit an inoperative heated steering wheel. For vehicles equipped with adaptive steering, the steering effort control module (SECM) controls the heated steering wheel feature and is internal to the vehicle's steering wheel. For vehicles not equipped with adaptive steering, the heated steering wheel module (HSWM) controls the heated steering wheel feature and is separate from the steering wheel. Using the OASIS Tab drop down > HVBoM > Features button or an appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool, you can determine if the vehicle is equipped with Adaptive Steering. Refer to the Workshop
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
2 most recent
steering
· filed 12/28/2016
2016 Lincoln mkx - FWD- loses balance when accelerated. Its wobbles/ swirls when stepped on the gas on a city street or on a highway. When we brought the car in, Lincoln dealership services foreman, adviser and director claimed its their mkx FWD normal characteristics. The dealership did not disclose this defective design at the time of purchasing. There are no fixes, and the mkx AWD does…
steering
· filed 12/21/2021
While driving, there is an electrical issue that is causing warning alarms to go off for hill-descend control, advance-trac traction control, etc. During this time, there is also a complete loss of power steering and making the vehicle almost impossible to turn. The first incident happened on November 26, 2021 around 7pm were I was able to stop prior to hitting a building. I shut the vehicle off…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 steering problem on the 2016 Lincoln MKX?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 61,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2016/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.