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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-LINCOLN-MKX NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Lincoln

2017 Lincoln MKX problems

The 2017 Lincoln MKX has 52 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2017 Lincoln MKX has 52 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 16 complaints, typically surfacing around 80,945 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Lincoln MKX owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2014 MKX 35 1
2015 MKX 19 0
2016 MKX 145 7
2017 MKX (this page) 52 5
2018 MKX 29 5
2017 Lincoln MKX
Photo: Damian B Oh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Lincoln MKX
0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 MKX?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

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 5 / 5 overall

Overall 5/5
Frontal crash 5/5
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: Optional

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Lincoln MKX SUV FWD. 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 2017 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

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 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.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2017 Lincoln MKX

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.

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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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
16 reports · fails ~80,945 mi · avg $450
moderate
electrical
11 reports · fails ~42,333 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
3 reports · fails ~8,000 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
3 reports · fails ~31,000 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
wheels
3 reports · avg $400
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 MKX's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 MKX?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 MKX · brakes
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts being on back order. The contact called another…
2017 MKX · brakes
Brake fluid leaks, loss of braking. Brake light showing on dash. Noticeable leak when parked. When driven, brakes have to be pressed to floor to begin operating
2017 MKX · engine
While driving on interstate 271/480 my check engine light started flashing and my car suddenly died putting me in harms way as I tried navigating 3 lanes to get to the berm. It was towed to 2 different Lincoln dealerships where they both confirmed the engine lost compression and…
2017 MKX · brakes
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V469000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
View all 52 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 25V544000 August 22, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles

A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
severe NHTSA 20V469000 August 10, 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles

A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
severe NHTSA 20V414000 July 17, 2020

Ford Motor Company, Inc

An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
View all 5 recalls →

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2017 Lincoln MKX reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Lincoln MKX?

The 2017 Lincoln MKX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns 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 2017 Lincoln MKX?

Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,945 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 2017 Lincoln MKX a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 52 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 80,945 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 2017 Lincoln MKX?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,945 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 80,945 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 2017 Lincoln MKX?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 52 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.

Related

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/2017/Lincoln/MKX. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Lincoln. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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