2008 Lincoln MKX Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 4, 2025 · 253 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MKX years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lincoln MKX. That ranks 2nd out of 14 MKX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (157 complaints, 62%), typically at around 73,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Lincoln MKX
LINCOLN MKX SECOND GENERATION China. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Lincoln MKX problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags157 · ~73,000 mi
Power Train30 · ~92,904 mi
Service Brakes17 · ~105,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System16 · ~117,000 mi
Engine15 · ~88,620 mi
Vehicle Speed Control13 · ~88,000 mi
Electrical System11 · ~93,120 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline6 · ~118,120 mi
Unknown or Other6 · ~160,000 mi
Seats5 · ~105,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems15762%73,000“takata air bags” (35%)—
Power Train3012%92,904——
Service Brakes177%105,000——
Fuel/propulsion System166%117,000——
Engine156%88,620——
Vehicle Speed Control135%88,000——
Electrical System114%93,120——
Fuel System, Gasoline62%118,120——
Unknown or Other62%160,000——
Seats52%105,500——
Structure42%34,650——
Suspension42%96,000——
Steering31%115,575——
Wheels31%97,000——
Exterior Lighting21%46,000——
Latches/locks/linkages21%26,825——
Visibility/wiper21%90,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling10%298——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%———
Forward Collision Avoidance10%———
Lane Departure10%———
Service Brakes, Air10%134,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10%91,000——
Tires10%840——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 81 complaints
2008: 3200832010: 442011: 1201112012: 882013: 4201342014: 13132015: 162015162016: 17172017: 762017762018: 81812019: 3201932020: 10102021: 5202152022: 662023: 1202312024: 222025: 320253

n = 253 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Lincoln MKX recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleMar 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V158000 · 2,602,668 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module; air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleFeb 16, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V024000 · 654,695 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveMay 31, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V384000 · 1,892,343 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyOct 29, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V682000 · 186,024 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Lincoln MKX, and Ford Edge vehicles, manufactured June 15, 2006, to September 22, 2008, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use, the affected vehicles may leak fuel from the fuel tank seam weld under the tank mounting reinforcement brackets.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 12, 2014. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and either clean and treat the fuel tank with a corrosion preventative or replace the tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S22.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyJul 3, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V301000 · 142 vehicles

Problem: Ford is recalling 142 my 2008 edge and lincoln mkk all wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tank weld fixture may have been exposed to a contaminant during production which could cause a dimple in the bottom of the fuel tank at a spot weld.

Risk: This dimple could result in a fuel leak or a fuel drip from the tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on july 11, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-437-7332.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Front suspension lower ball joint (PE09031) — opened Jul 13, 2009, closed Nov 19, 2009.
  • Tire valve cracking (PE08060) — opened Oct 14, 2008, closed Apr 9, 2009.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel-burning odor on the interior…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Dec 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11703008

I am reporting a serious mechanical defect in my 2008 Lincoln MKX involving the internal water pump. This vehicle uses the Ford 3.5L V6 Cyclone engine, where the water pump is mounted inside the engine and driven by the timing chain. My water pump failed unexpectedly, causing coolant to leak into…

Unknown or Other · received May 1, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11658099

I am reporting a serious mechanical defect in my 2008 Lincoln MKX involving the internal water pump. This vehicle uses the Ford 3.5L V6 Cyclone engine, where the water pump is mounted inside the engine and driven by the timing chain. My water pump failed unexpectedly, causing coolant to leak into…

Engine · received May 1, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11658100

The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…

Power Train · received Sep 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11614318

The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the brake pedal was firm when depressed, and the vehicle was slow to respond. There was an abnormal hissing noise detected from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called…

Service Brakes · received May 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11586390

Other Lincoln MKX years

← 2007 MKX · 2009 MKX →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2020 MKX01
2019 MKX01
2018 MKX315
2017 MKX525
2016 MKX1567
2015 MKX190
2014 MKX351
2013 MKX1631
2012 MKX841
2011 MKX1493
2010 MKX1116
2009 MKX666
20082536
2007 MKX2985

See all Lincoln MKX problems by year, every Lincoln model, or the Lincoln VIN decoder.

Similar Lincoln models

Embed this 2008 Lincoln MKX badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln MKX?

Owners most often report air bags, power train, service brakes problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 157 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Lincoln MKX?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Lincoln MKX a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MKX model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.