VehicleVerdict

2009 Lincoln MKX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Lincoln MKX is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 77 owner complaints run below the MKX median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 46% of all reports (35 of 77), far ahead of brakes at 11.

77

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other MKX years?

MKX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Lincoln MKX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3545%
Brakes1114%
Electrical System810%
Other56%
Engine34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Transmission34%
Body & Structure23%
Fuel System23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%
Steering11%

Does the 2009 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.

18V046000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2018 · 327,796 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of 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, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

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.

15V712000Fuel SystemOctober 27, 2015 · 110,636 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured September 11, 2008, to July 1, 2010, and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 23, 2008, to July 1, 2010, originally sold in, 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

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and either clean and treat the fuel tank with a corrosion preventative or replace the tank, free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S31.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

"TAKATA RECALL" - AFTER ALMOST 2 YEARS, MY AUTO DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND PERFORM THE RECALL. IS THIS NOT A EXCESSIVE TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? THEY ALSO TELL ME THAT I AM NOT ENTITLED TO A RENTAL OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. AM I AND MY PASSENGER AT RISK OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 31, 2018

I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BREAKS & ROTORS TWICE IN 2 YEARS. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE 'BREAK BOOSTER'. HE STATED THAT THEIR MIGHT BE A RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING ISSUES STOPPING. I AM AFRAID THE WILL GO OUT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE BREAKS MAKE A RELEASED AIR SOUND AND IT IS HARD TO MAKE A COMPLETE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 13, 2020

2009 LINCOLN MKX VEHICLE HAS DRIVER POWER SEAT THAT IS UNSTABLE AND ROCKS WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION THAT MAKES THE FOOT FALL OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN BRAKING. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. ANOTHER DEFECT IS THE SOUND SYSTEM WHILE IN USE CREATES A HORRENDOUS SOUND/BANG…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2009

SUBJECT : GETTING A RAW DEAL ! JUST BOUGHT 2009 LINCOLN MKX. PROBLEMS ARE SURMOUNTING QUICKLY. FUMES IN CABIN RECALL IS CONNECTED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN FORDS, LINCOLNS, MAZDA YEARS 2007 - 2013 APPROXIMATELY AS REPORTED. THE FUEL PUMP FAILS AND IS NOT EASILY REPLACEABLE. FORD IS AT FAULT FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 28, 2019

TAKATA RECALL , TIRE SENSOR KEEPS SAYING LOW TIRE PRESSURE EVEN AFTER CAR IN TURNT OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER AIR WAS PUT IN AND TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. SOME TIME AFTER AIR IS PUT IN THE TIRE THE LIGHT MAY GO OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND OR HRS THEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES BACK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 1, 2017

2009 Lincoln MKX — common questions

Is the 2009 Lincoln MKX reliable?

It is close to typical for the MKX: 77 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2009 MKX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (35 complaints), brakes (11 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2009 Lincoln MKX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Lincoln MKX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.