VehicleVerdict

2008 Lincoln MKX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 303 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median MKX year — the 2008 model ranks #2 of 14 MKX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 52% of all reports (157 of 303), far ahead of transmission at 30.

303

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other MKX years?

MKX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted350 complaints2007: 350 complaints2008: 303 complaints2009: 77 complaints2010: 125 complaints2011: 190 complaints2012: 108 complaints2013: 203 complaints2014: 48 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 207 complaints2017: 68 complaints2018: 38 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints
MKX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Lincoln MKX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags15752%
Transmission3010%
Fuel System227%
Brakes196%
Engine165%
Speed Control134%
Electrical System114%
Other72%
Seats52%
Suspension41%
Tires & Wheels41%
Body & Structure41%
Steering31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Latches & Locks21%
Driver Assistance21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V158000AirbagsMarch 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

21E013000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 249 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

21V081000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 1,067 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V024000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 654,695 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

16V384000AirbagsMay 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

14V682000Fuel SystemOctober 29, 2014 · 186,024 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

08V301000Fuel SystemJuly 3, 2008 · 142 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

ON JUNE 25, 2016 I WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS IN A ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CUT MY LEFT FOREARM OPEN. WAS TREATED AT HOSPITAL AND THEY GLUED IT TOGETHER.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 25, 2016 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 12, 2024

THE FUEL SYSTEM AND TANK LEAKED FUEL IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE FUEL LINE LEAKED FUEL OVER THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE FUEL TANK HAS A LEAK AT THE SEAM WHERE UPPER AND LOW TANK HALVES JOINT. BOTH LEAKS PRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE LEAK WAS AT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE FUEL TANK LEAK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 29, 2013

The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, air bag, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ABS sensor; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS, air bag, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ABS sensor; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2021

2008 Lincoln MKX — common questions

Is the 2008 Lincoln MKX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 303 complaints put the 2008 model at #2 of 14 MKX years. It is one of the MKX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 MKX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (157 complaints), transmission (30 complaints), fuel system (22 complaints).

Does the 2008 Lincoln MKX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Lincoln MKX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Lincoln MKX under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln MKX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MKX years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among MKX years belongs to 2020.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.