I've had plenty of Lincoln in the bay over the years, and the transmission and driveline complaints on these don't surprise me. 481 on the NHTSA record across 53 model-year entries (2005–2022) is not a fluke. The complaints are spread across the lineup — no single model is doing all the work. That tells you it's an engineering or supplier pattern, not a one-off bad year. 1 fatality report on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Lincoln vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Across the 133 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 75,651 miles. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin LINCOLN / POWERTRAIN
53 model-year entries · 2005–2022
Lincoln powertrain problems
481 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Lincoln vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
481
Recalls
0
Year-models
53
Avg fix
$2,500
22crashes
9fires
4injuries
1fatality
Worst-affected Lincoln model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2007 Lincoln MKX
31 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2008 Lincoln MKX
30 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
25 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Lincoln MKZ
20 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2019 Lincoln Navigator
19 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Lincoln MKC
17 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2020 Lincoln Navigator
16 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2018 Lincoln Navigator
16 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2005 Lincoln LS
16 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Lincoln Aviator
15 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Lincoln Nautilus
15 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2013 Lincoln MKX
15 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2013 Lincoln MKZ
12 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2016 Lincoln MKC
11 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Lincoln MKX
11 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2011 Lincoln MKX
11 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Lincoln Aviator
11 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2016 Lincoln MKX
10 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
10 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Lincoln MKZ
9 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Lincoln MKZ
9 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2017 Lincoln MKC
8 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Lincoln MKS
8 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
7 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Lincoln Navigator
7 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
Common questions
How many Lincoln powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
481 complaints across 53 model-year entries from 2005 to 2022. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Lincoln.
Which Lincoln model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2007 Lincoln MKX leads with 31 complaints in this category. Next: 2008 MKX (30) and 2019 Nautilus (25).
What does it cost to fix Lincoln powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Lincoln lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Lincoln powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Lincoln vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Lincoln.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.