Lincoln MKX VIN Decoder

Decode any Lincoln MKX VIN free: model year, plant, body and engine codes, read from 67 real MKX VINs.

NHTSA · ISO 3779 · 2008–2018 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

A Lincoln MKX VIN opens with 2LM (Canada). Position 11, the plant, shows 3 codes, most often B (98%); a 2018 MKX carries J in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 23 recall campaigns and 1,325 owner complaints from NHTSA.

How to read a Lincoln MKX VIN

Here is a real 2018 Lincoln MKX VIN from our database, split into its parts:

1–3 · WMI2LM
4–8 · VDSPJ6KR
9 · Check2
10 · YearJ
11 · PlantB
12–17 · SerialL46917

VIN 2LMPJ6KR2JBL46917 — decoded free on its own report page.

FIG.01·Lincoln MKX VIN structure
PositionSectionWhat it tells you
1–3WMIWorld Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type.
4–8VDSVehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series.
9Check digitA calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN.
10Model yearOne character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z.
11PlantThe assembly plant that built the car.
12–17SerialSequential production number of this exact vehicle.
ROWS 6·SOURCE ISO 3779 / NHTSA vPIC

Where Lincoln MKX VINs say the car was built

The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 67 Lincoln MKX VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:

FIG.02·Lincoln MKX assembly by VIN prefix
WMIBuilt inVehicle typeVINs on fileShare
2LMCanada—67100%
ROWS 1·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC · ForCar decoded VINs

Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.

Model-year codes for the Lincoln MKX

Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Lincoln MKX has not yet outlived: its 12 years still map one-to-one. All 12 model years of the Lincoln MKX, 2007 to 2018, with the character each one carries:

FIG.03·Lincoln MKX VIN model-year codes
Model yearVIN character (position 10)Same character as
2018J—
2017H—
2016G—
2015F—
2014E—
2013D—
2012C—
2011B—
2010A—
20099—
20088—
20077—
ROWS 12·SOURCE ISO 3779

Body and engine characters we see on Lincoln MKX VINs

Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 67 VINs the Lincoln MKX uses 9 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:

FIG.04·Lincoln MKX VIN body and engine characters
PositionCharacters seen on real VINsVariety
4 — bodyP (39%) · D (36%) · T (25%)3 distinct
5 — seriesJ (97%) · U (3%)2 distinct
8 — engineR (46%) · K (27%) · P (18%) · C (9%)4 distinct
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar decoded VINs

What a decoded Lincoln MKX VIN gets you

Behind a Lincoln MKX VIN: 1,325 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:

FIG.05·Lincoln MKX data available by VIN
DataFor this modelSource
Recall campaigns23 campaignsNHTSA
Owner complaints1,325 filedNHTSA
Fuel economy20 mpg combined (avg)EPA
Crash-test ratings7 rated model yearsNHTSA
Model years covered12 yearsForCar catalog
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA · EPA · ForCar

Where to find the VIN on a Lincoln MKX

A Lincoln MKX VIN normally opens with 2LM; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.

FIG.06·Lincoln MKX VIN locations
WhereHow to see itWhy it matters
Dashboard, driver sideThrough the windshield, bottom cornerEasiest to check before you touch anything
Driver door jambOpen the door, sticker on the pillarAlso lists tire pressures and build date
Under the hoodFirewall or strut tower plateSurvives a windshield replacement
Title and insurancePaper documentsMust match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel
ROWS 4·SOURCE ForCar
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Frequently asked questions

Is this Lincoln MKX VIN decoder free?

Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 23 recall campaigns and 1,325 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Lincoln MKX.

What year is my MKX by its VIN?

Read position 10: a 2018 MKX carries J, a 2017 MKX carries H, a 2016 MKX carries G.

Where was my MKX built?

Position 11 names the plant. Across 1,322 dated Lincoln MKX VINs it reads B 98%, R 1%, J 0%.

What does position 4 mean on a Lincoln MKX VIN?

It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 67 Lincoln MKX VINs here, P is the most common character in position 4, on 39% of them.

VIN structure per ISO 3779 and NHTSA vPIC. Plant, body and engine characters observed across 67 decoded VINs on ForCar; recalls and complaints from NHTSA. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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