Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKX vs Toyota Camry
How the Lincoln MKX and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The MKX averages 87 complaints per year with 37 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both have 1 death reported. The MKX’s brake complaints are more severe, while the Camry has more power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKX or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKX
The Lincoln MKX is a midsize luxury SUV that averages about 87 complaints per year over the past decade, with brakes being the most frequent trouble spot. Owners often report brake pedal sinking to the floor or becoming hard to push, sometimes after repairs. Electrical glitches and engine issues also appear, and there are 37 recalls covering brakes, latches, and electrical parts. While not the highest complaint volume, the brake complaints are serious and can affect safety.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate—about 206 per year—but many are for less critical issues like infotainment or minor electrical quirks. Power train complaints, such as hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems, are common. Brake issues like electronic parking brake failure and ABS noise also show up. With 31 recalls, the Camry has fewer recalls than the MKX but more owner complaints overall.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 866 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 37 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 86.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 158 |
| 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 sinks to the floor or becomes hard to push, and in some cases the brakes fail completely after a booster replacement. This is a critical safety concern because it can lead to longer stopping distances or loss of braking.
Complaints include dash lights and info clusters failing to light up, and in one case the car stalled and then went into reverse unexpectedly. These glitches can be intermittent and may affect basic functions like lights and starting.
Some owners mention an inherent defect in the 3.7-liter engine and faulty catalytic converters that can cause emissions failures. These issues may lead to costly repairs and failed inspections.
There are 99 air bag complaints, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check for open recalls related to air bag sensors or deployment.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be annoying and potentially unsafe in traffic.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be frustrating and may pose a risk when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that is attributed to the ABS system. These issues can be inconvenient and costly if they recur.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously, as reported by one owner. Such failures can reduce driver awareness and vehicle control.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKX has far fewer complaints per year (about 87 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its brake complaints are more severe and potentially dangerous. The Camry’s higher complaint count includes many less critical issues, but it still has notable power train and brake problems. In practice, the MKX may require more urgent attention to brakes, while the Camry may have more frequent but less life-threatening annoyances.
Key differences
- The Lincoln MKX has about 87 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry has about 206 per year, but the MKX’s brake complaints often involve pedal sinking to the floor, a more immediate safety risk.
- The Camry’s most common complaint area is power train, with issues like key stuck in ignition and hesitation, which are less likely to cause a crash than brake failure.
- The MKX has 37 recalls, including brakes and latches, while the Camry has 31 recalls, mostly for air bag sensors and seats.
- Both vehicles have 1 death reported, but the Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 35) and injuries (158 vs. 17), though these numbers don’t prove fault.
- Check for any signs of brake pedal sinking or feeling hard to push; test the brakes thoroughly and ask for service records related to brake booster or master cylinder repairs.
- Inspect all electrical functions, including dash lights, info cluster, and brake lights, as intermittent failures have been reported.
- Test the ignition key removal—ensure it releases smoothly when in Park; if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, including pedal feel, brake booster, and ABS system, on both vehicles.
- For the Lincoln MKX, specifically test the brakes during a test drive, including hard stops, and check for any warning lights.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the ignition key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to brakes, electrical, or engine issues.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 31 | 744 |
| 2017 | 52 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKX vs Toyota Camry
- Lincoln MKX total complaints
- 866
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lincoln MKX total recalls
- 37
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lincoln MKX avg complaints/year
- 86.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKX
- Lincoln MKX top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN