Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKX vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln MKX and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln MKX vs FORD F 150: The Lincoln MKX averaged 86.6 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 averaged 1,162.1, with 151 recalls versus 37. The MKX's top issue is service brakes, while the F-150's is power train. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKX
The Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury SUV that owners often find comfortable but can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 87 complaints per year, with brakes being the most common trouble spot. Many brake complaints describe the pedal sinking to the floor or becoming hard to push, which can be alarming in traffic. Electrical glitches and engine issues also appear, but at lower rates than the brake problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its capability, but it also has a very high volume of owner complaints. With over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, that's about 1,162 per year, far more than the Lincoln MKX. The most frequent issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Many complaints describe serious problems like transmissions stuck in limp mode or sudden electrical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 866 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 37 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 86.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln MKX
- 01SERVICE BRAKES264
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM153
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER110
- 04ENGINE108
- 05AIR BAGS99
Owners report the brake pedal sometimes goes to the floor or becomes very hard to push, and in some cases the brakes fail completely even after repairs. This is a critical safety concern because it can happen while driving.
Complaints include dash lights and info clusters not lighting up, brake lights failing, and the car stalling or even going into reverse unexpectedly. These glitches can leave you without warning lights or cause sudden loss of control.
Some owners mention engine defects, such as issues with the 3.7-liter engine and faulty catalytic converters that can lead to emissions failures. These can be expensive to fix and may affect passing inspections.
There are 99 complaints about air bags, though specific patterns are not detailed in the sample. Any air bag issue is serious because it can affect protection in a crash.
“I HAD NOTICED A WEEK PRIOR TO DRIVING TO WORK EVERYDAY THAT MY BRAKES WERE SOMETIMES GOING TO THE FLOOR AND SOMETIMES STOPPING ALL THE WAY UP MAKING THE PEDAL HARD TO PUSH. I DRIVE 20 MILES BOTH DIRECTIONS DAILY SO I AM ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK. ON A MONDAY MOR…”
“In 2021 I took vehicle in for intermittent soft brakes where the pedal would suddenly sink to the floor. Dealer replaced brake booster under warranty. Issue was still intermittent and 2 months into driving after the booster was replaced I suddenly lost all br…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including sudden limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and failures related to the lead frame. These issues can cause loss of power and near-collisions.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue causing electrical faults, as well as rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. Electrical gremlins can be unpredictable and dangerous.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific details are not in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine complaints number 880, but the sample does not provide specific failure patterns. Still, this many complaints suggest potential reliability concerns that buyers should investigate.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln MKX — 37 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
The risk: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended. Vehicles with shorter door striker bolts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 20…
The risk: If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door striker bolts, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C06.
The defect: Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more w…
The risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall be…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
The risk: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKX has far fewer complaints per year (about 87) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means you're likely to see fewer reported problems with the MKX, but the F-150's issues are more often related to power train and electrical systems that can be severe. Both have safety-related complaints, so neither should be considered trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Lincoln MKX averages about 87 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Brake problems are the top complaint for the MKX, with reports of the pedal sinking to the floor, whereas the F-150's top issue is power train, often involving transmission limp mode.
- The F-150 has many more recalls (151 vs. 37) and crash-related complaints (330 vs. 35), indicating a broader range of safety issues.
- Electrical problems appear in both, but the F-150's lead frame issue is a recurring, serious defect that owners say has persisted for years.
- Check the brake pedal feel: it should be firm and not sink to the floor when pressed. Any sponginess or sinking could indicate a brake booster or master cylinder issue.
- Test all electrical functions, including dashboard lights, brake lights, and infotainment, as owners report intermittent failures that can be hard to diagnose.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting: any hesitation, stuck gears, or limp mode warnings could signal the known lead frame or speed sensor problems.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of overheating, as some owners report the window shattering when the defroster is used.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for prior accidents, title issues, or structural damage, especially for the Lincoln MKX.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system on the MKX, including the booster, master cylinder, and lines, for any leaks or soft pedal.
- For the F-150, ask for records of any transmission repairs or software updates related to the lead frame or output speed sensor.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to reproduce any intermittent electrical or transmission issues.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN, and confirm they have been addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln MKX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 31 | 79 |
| 2017 | 52 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln MKX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKX vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln MKX total complaints
- 866
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln MKX total recalls
- 37
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln MKX avg complaints/year
- 86.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKX
- Lincoln MKX top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN