2017 Lincoln MKX Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Lincoln MKX most often report brake hose recall repairs that were delayed because parts were not available, and some describe brake fluid leaks with a soft or sinking pedal. Sudden engine shutdowns or power loss while driving are another common theme, along with electrical recall repairs waiting on parts and exhaust-like or rotten-egg odors in the cabin. Engine shutdowns and brake failures are often described as sudden, and where mileage is listed, reports range from about 10 to 90,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake hose recall repair parts not available

   • 12 complaints (23%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe receiving brake hose recall notices (campaigns 20V469000 and 25V544000) but being told the repair parts were not available or were on back order. Some complaints say the dealer confirmed the parts were not available, and others say the manufacturer had taken longer than a reasonable time for the repair. A complaint says the owner is taking precautions while the recall remains open, and some complaints state the owner had not yet experienced a failure. Mileage is generally not listed, and the complaints describe the recall as still pending, with a listed value of about 75,000 miles.

   Recall 20V469000Recall 25V5440004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the VIN for open recalls 20V469000 and 25V544000 and ask the dealer whether the repair has been completed. If it is still open, ask for the parts status and an estimated date in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recalled noticed regarding a potential brake(s) failure. Currently the manufacture does not have sufficient parts and does not provide any ETA on when parts do become available. In the light of the situation, I would rather filed a complaint than risking my life or the lives of others due to the manufacture unable to provide the need parts to resolved this serious issue. I am taking proactive steps to protect myself before I find myself in the worst case scenario.”

   NHTSA complaint #11688015, filed 2025-09

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact then stated while driving at at speeds, the brake pedal had become soft and spongy upon depression without warning. In addition, the contact stated that a puddle of brake fluid would accumulate underneath the vehicle near the rear passenger tire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11736963, filed 2026-05, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine shuts off or loses power while driving

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe the engine shutting off or losing power while driving, often without warning, and in some cases power steering is lost and the vehicle comes to a stop. Some complaints describe warnings before the shutdown, such as a shutting-down message, a flashing check engine light, or a traction control warning. Some complaints describe repeated shutdowns, with a restart restoring power only for a short time, and say the dealer could not reproduce or explain the problem. A complaint reports the engine was found to have lost compression and would need full replacement. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 8,000 to 58,000 miles, and the onset is often described as sudden.

   What to check: Ask whether the shutdown warnings have been diagnosed and whether any software or engine-control updates were applied for this VIN. On a test drive, watch for hesitation, warning messages, or power loss at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at 50 MPH on a main highway when suddenly heard a bell tone, the car began to slow down, the engine had shifted into neutral and the message center stated the engine was shutting off. I steered to the side of the road and restarted the engine. This has left me quite shaken as we have only owned this vehicle for a little over 2 weeks and do not know what to expect. We have seen this has occurred with other owners, also.”

   NHTSA complaint #11244537, filed 2019-08, 8,000 miles

   “10 miles after starting our 2017 Lincoln MKX it suddenly gave me the warning code of error: vehicle shutting down now. The car coasted across 5 lanes of speeding traffic. I almost died with our small child in the car. The car restarted fine on the side of the road. Sanderson Lincoln towed the car and did the bare minimum tests on the car per the manufacturer standards. I requested them to do more as this exact same situation has happened to other Lincoln owners multiple times in one car. There has also been a recall on this on previous years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11320003, filed 2020-04, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical recall repair parts not available

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 3.3 yrs old
   • filed 2020

   Owners describe receiving electrical recall notices (campaigns 19V809000, 17V226000, and 19S41) but being told the repair parts were not yet available. Some complaints say the dealer confirmed the part was unavailable, and a complaint says parts had not arrived after repeated calls to the dealer. Some complaints say the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair, and others say it was not made aware of the issue or offered no assistance. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and the owners often had not experienced a failure.

   Recall 19V809000

   What to check: Check the VIN for open recalls such as 19V809000 and ask the dealer whether the battery cable repair has been completed. If parts are still unavailable, ask for the parts status and an estimated date in writing.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall notice 19s41. Received notification on 5/2/2020 that parts are available. Contacted local dealership, felix sabates Lincoln, on 5/5/2020 to schedule recall. Was told at the time, they had to order the part for recall and it will be approximately 2-3 weeks. On 6/2/2020, I made another call asking for update on recall parts.was told that part has not arrived and it will be another 2 weeks. Called again on 6/15/2020 for update. Again was told still waiting on parts. Maybe another 2 weeks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11342784, filed 2020-08
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks and pedal drops to the floor

   • 16 complaints (31%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe brake fluid leaking from rear brake lines or hoses, with a soft pedal and loss of braking, sometimes with the brake fluid warning light on. Some complaints describe the pedal reaching the floor while the vehicle did not stop as expected, and a complaint describes driving over a curb to avoid a collision after the brakes failed. According to complaints, an independent mechanic found the rear brake hoses needed replacement, and a repair shop worked on the brakes after a line failure. A complaint says a recall repair was still pending when the pedal went soft and fluid pooled near the rear tire. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 70,000 to 90,000 miles, and some describe the brake failure as sudden and without warning.

   Recall 25V544000Recall 20V4690002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the rear and front brake hoses have been inspected or replaced, and check the vehicle for fluid under the truck and for a low brake fluid level. A warning light or a soft pedal during a test drive should be checked by a qualified shop before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake line failure. Had local repair shop repair brakes and realign, because I had to jump a curb at 40mph to avoid collision. Ford refuses (thru nonresponsive) to pay damages. Recall repaired weeks later by plate valley ford of Kearney NE.”

   NHTSA complaint #11603468, filed 2024-07

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #11706669, filed 2025-12
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Exhaust or rotten-egg odor entering the cabin

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 560 mi at 0.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2019

   Owners describe exhaust or rotten-egg odors inside the cabin, often during acceleration or at higher speeds, and some note headaches. A complaint describes a carbon monoxide meter reading in the cabin during highway driving, with readings dropping when the windows were opened. According to complaints, a service bulletin describes resealing the rear hatch seals, but a complaint says the smell continued afterward. The dealer reportedly described the carbon monoxide readings as acceptable, and the owner reports readings still rising during driving. Where mileage is listed, reports range from 10 to 40,000 miles, and some describe the odor as stronger at higher speed or during hard acceleration.

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether any service bulletin for the rear hatch seals or exhaust leaks has been applied to this VIN, and have the cabin checked for carbon monoxide during a drive. A test drive with the fan on recirculate and during hard acceleration can show whether a smell appears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Has carbon monoxide in the cabin on highway driving . I have a co meter as I have had the car in to dealer 7 times for same issue & it is still not fixed. They now claim it is ok but still have 15 ppm in 10 minutes of driving on highway and level still rising. They say this is an acceptable level. I open windows & co level drops to 2ppm. Then close windows & meter reads again in 15 min 15ppm. This car is not safe. & Lincoln will not take it back. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11244588, filed 2019-08, 40,000 miles

   “During hard acceleration, the smell of rotten eggs enters the cabin regardless of what type of fan is blowing (air conditioning - fresh air or recirculate). Lincoln under a TSB claimed that they fixed the problem by resealing the rear seals to the rear hatch. The smell continues and if you do research, this is a widespread problem in ford edge's, explorer's and Lincoln MKX's. Ford doesn't seem to think that exhaust entering the cabin for which they do not have fix for is worthy of a system wide recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11229749, filed 2019-07, 10 miles

Buying note. Before buying a 2017 model year MKX, check the VIN for open brake hose and electrical recalls and ask for proof that repairs were completed, since some owners report waiting for parts. Ask for any records of engine shutdown warnings or cabin odor complaints, and have a mechanic inspect the brake hoses and lines for leaks before a purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.