Lincoln MKX 2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The MKX II is Lincoln's mid-size luxury SUV built on the Ford Edge, produced only for the brief window from 2016 to 2018 before it was renamed and reworked into the Nautilus. A prospective MKX buyer gets a comfortable, well-insulated five-seater with high-grade appointments, but as with the MKZ the Ford hardware sits clearly recognizable beneath the Lincoln skin. That keeps running costs comparatively low and parts easy to source, yet it robs the MKX of the last bit of distinction over the much cheaper Edge.
Two engines were offered. The 3.7L Duratec V6 is the more reliable naturally aspirated unit with no turbo complexity, well suited to buyers who value mechanical simplicity. Its well-known Achilles' heel is the chain-driven water pump in the engine valley: if it fails, the repair is extremely labor-intensive and expensive because the engine has to be largely disassembled. That should be checked and budgeted for before purchase. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is the stronger, more torque-happy alternative and shares its block with the Bronco and Ranger. It brings the usual turbo issues, including intake valve carbon buildup, wastegate failure and turbo oil pooling during long idle periods, but once its early valve-guide weakness is resolved it is considered a usable daily driver. The corrosion-prone fuel pump driver module is worth keeping an eye on.
Among the vehicle-level issues, a few more serious points stand out. 2016 and 2017 cars showed cases of sudden engine stalling or power loss while driving, a safety-relevant concern partly tied to recall 16B32 for a contaminated electronic throttle body that absolutely must be addressed. The panoramic roof is a maintenance trap: excess factory grease clogs the drain hoses over time, letting water run into the cabin. The power liftgate tends to fail and then draws a parasitic current that flattens the battery. The SYNC 3 infotainment occasionally freezes just as on the other models, and the 6F50 transmission can leak fluid through its seals at higher mileage.
Bottom line, the MKX II is a comfortable, value-stable luxury SUV for budget-conscious buyers. The 3.7 V6 with a documented water pump history and closed-out recalls is the safe pick. Anyone who prefers the 2.7 EcoBoost should watch for the early valve-guide and FPDM issues and have the panoramic roof drains serviced regularly.
Engine Overview
The Lincoln MKX 2 is available with 2 engine variants — from 282 to 315 hp.
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 in the Nautilus is the strongest non-hybrid option and shares its architecture with the Bronco and Ranger. Recall 24S55 for brittle Silchrome intake valves covers units built May–October 2021. After remediation, a reliable everyday engine with strong low-rpm torque. Follow the 10,000-km oil change interval to protect the turbos.
- !! Valve Guide Defect (April 2016 – Jan 2017) from 80,000 km
TSB 17-2077: valve guides in heads from April 2016 – Jan 2017 production defective. Free head replacement under warranty.
Symptoms: Blue/white smoke, oil consumption, CEL P0300-P0306 - !! Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM) corrosion from 130,000 km
The frame-mounted FPDM above the spare tire suffers galvanic corrosion (aluminum module on steel frame) from road salt and spray. The housing cracks, water intrudes, and the internal electronics fail.
Symptoms: Sudden engine stall while driving without warning, crank-no-start condition, loss of power, diagnostic codes P1233/P1235. - !! Wastegate Failure / Underboost from 100,000 km
The 2.7 EcoBoost Gen1 is prone to internal wastegate wear — worn shaft and diaphragm failures in the actuator. One-sided failure causes asymmetric boost drop. Dealer turbo replacement often runs $4,000 for both.
Symptoms: P0299 underboost code, metallic ticking on deceleration, sluggish response under load
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.7L naturally aspirated V6 in the MKZ II is the more straightforward choice — no turbo complexity, solid long-term durability. The main weakness is the internally mounted chain-driven water pump: failure requires extensive disassembly. Post-2012 redesigned cam phaser sprockets made this engine significantly more reliable. Regular oil and coolant checks are essential.
- !! Cam Phaser Rattle from 80,000 km
The 3.7L Duratec V6 (Mustang S197 V6, Kuga) shows rattle from hydraulic cam phasers at low oil pressure, like the Mustang V6 S197. Oil changes every 8,000 km are mandatory.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start from the timing drive, sounds like a loose timing chain - !! Water Pump Shaft Seal Failure from 100,000 km
The external water pump on the 3.7L Duratec V6 is prone to shaft seal leaks at mileages over 100,000 km. Coolant loss and overheating damage result.
Symptoms: Coolant leak from the side under the engine, engine temperature rising, warning light - !! Internal Chain-Driven Water Pump Failure from 130,000 km
On the transversely mounted 3.7 V6 the timing chain drives the internal water pump. If the pump fails, coolant enters the crankcase directly — high risk of engine destruction if not stopped immediately.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without external leak, oil discoloured milky, temperature gauge rising.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall 16B32: Electronic Throttle Body Contamination The electronic throttle body motor contacts can become contaminated, triggering FMEM mode with reduced power and fixed RPM. Affects 2016 MKX built Sep 2015–May 2016. Ford replaces ETB free of charge. Symptoms: Check engine light, reduced power mode, P2111/P2112 codes, engine stuck at fixed RPM. | Low | |
| Sudden Engine Stall and Power Loss While Driving 2016–2017 MKX units showed sudden engine shutdown or loss of throttle response while driving, in some cases at very low mileage (under 20,000 km). ETB failure is the primary cause on 2016s; throttle body replacement resolves it. Symptoms: Engine shuts off while driving, vehicle shifts to neutral, accelerator pedal unresponsive. from 20,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 20 weaknesses have been documented for the Lincoln MKX 2 (2016–2018) — 13 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Body, Electronics, Gearbox.
MKX (Duratec-37, 2016–2018) — Be Careful: Cam Phaser Rattle, Water Pump Shaft Seal Failure, Internal Chain-Driven Water Pump Failure. Power: 282 PS.
MKX (EcoBoost-2.7-V6-Gen1, 2016–2018) — Be Careful: Valve Guide Defect (April 2016 – Jan 2017), Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM) corrosion, Wastegate Failure / Underboost. Power: 315 PS.
What to watch out for with the Lincoln MKX? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee