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Lincoln MKX VIN Check

NHTSA holds 1,325 owner complaints on the Lincoln MKX from 359 production runs; the worst run has 21, the typical one 3.7.

NHTSA complaint records · 1,325 complaints · 359 runs · 2007–2018 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported MKX run is 2LMDU88C87B (2007 builds) with 21 complaints, 5.7× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 29% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 9.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for MKX model years 2007–2018.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln MKX has 359 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every MKX complaint on file.

FIG.01·Lincoln MKX — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
2LMDU88C87B••••••200721—1
2LMDU88C77B••••••20072011
2LMDU88C98B••••••2008191—
2LMDU88C67B••••••2007184—
2LMDU88C97B••••••20071721
2LMDJ8JK3DB••••••201316——
2LMDU68C77B••••••20071521
2LMDU88C48B••••••200815——
2LMDU88C27B••••••200713——
2LMDU88C08B••••••200813——
2LMDU68CX8B••••••200813——
2LMDU88C47B••••••200713—1
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 347 MKX runs has 13 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 66 MKX VINs so far, most often 2016, 2018, 2017 builds.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln MKX the gap between build years is 8.3×: a 2007 car draws 9.9 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.2.

FIG.02·Lincoln MKX — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20181.230262
20171.25142—
20161.9149786
20151.418131
2014234172
20136.1153257
20123.178252
20114.9137286
20104107279
20092.66224—
20088.3240293
20079.92672712
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2007 at 9.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.2.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 29% of everything Lincoln MKX owners report: Air Bags, 396 of 1,325 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Lincoln MKX — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags396131
Service Brakes28515—
Electrical System16244
Engine130—6
Unknown Or Other12991
Power Train12773
Fuel/propulsion System68—2
Hydraulic66——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 23 recall campaigns on the Lincoln MKX; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Lincoln MKX — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
21E013000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2007–2010
21V158000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2007–2010
16V384000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2007–2010
21V081000Air Bags:frontal2007–2010
20V469000Service Brakes2016–2018
20V414000Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust2016–2018
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

The MKX against its rivals

The MKX draws 3.7 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.5. That is the highest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Lincoln MKX VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Lincoln MKX1,3253593.73.8%
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport1,1524532.51.5%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 1,325 reports on the Lincoln MKX, 3.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Lincoln MKX — complaint severity
OutcomeLincoln MKXAll vehicles
Complaints filed1,3251,115,966
Involved a crash50 (3.8%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire17 (1.3%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported3458,013
Deaths reported12,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 34% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lincoln MKX share of that is 1,325 complaints over 359 runs, 0.12% of everything on record.

Everything on the Lincoln MKX
Recalls55 campaignsFuel economy21 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems1,418 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices889 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2007–2018

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Lincoln MKX VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,325 NHTSA complaints from 359 MKX runs and 23 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which MKX production run has the most complaints?

2LMDU88C87B, a 2007 build, with 21 complaints. The typical MKX run has 3.7.

Which MKX years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 9.9 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.2.

Does the MKX get more complaints than the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

Yes: 3.7 complaints per production run for the MKX against 2.5 for the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

How many MKX complaints involve a crash?

3.8% of 1,325 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 17 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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