Lincoln MKX VIN Number Check

Decode a Lincoln MKX VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix2LM

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Lincoln MKX

About the Lincoln MKX

Lincoln sold the MKX in the US for model years 2007–2018, across two generations. The U388 came first (2007–2015), and the U540 took over for 2016–2018. Across those years NHTSA lists 22 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,417 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the U388. Its 2007 and 2008 model years alone account for 551 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the U388 at 18–21 mpg combined, while the U540 gets 19–20 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2007–2018

GenerationsU388 · U540

NHTSA recall campaigns22

Owner complaints1,417 at NHTSA

Lincoln MKX photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Lincoln MKX generations

Two generations since the 2007 model year. The U388 (2007–2015) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (13).

2 / 2

U540

2016–20182nd generation

Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2007201020152018

2016–2018· Generation 2 of 2

U540 · 2nd generation

PlatformFord CD4

EPA combined mpg19–20

NHTSA recalls9

Engines (EPA)

2.7 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2016–2018
3.7 L 6-cyl · 2016–2018

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2016–2018)

Known issues to check

Brakes (88)Electrical system (45)Engine and cooling (44)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 239 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · U5402LMTJ8LR?GB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2016 Lincoln MKX Reserve, built in Oakville, Ontario

Check an MKX VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which MKX model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 22 campaigns on file for MKX model years 2007–2018, and the 2016 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2008 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Lincoln MKX owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2007 and 2008 hold 551 of the 1,417 complaints, or 39%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,417NHTSA complaints, 2007–2018

52mention a crash

20mention a fire

35injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearU540: 239 complaints · most for the 2016 (156)

Top complaint areas · U540

Mentions in 239 complaints, 2016–2018.

Brakes88

Electrical system45

Engine and cooling44

Wheels16

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)15

Fuel system12

Crashes 8Fires 3Injuries 4

2016–2018 (U540)

NHTSA data summary

Brakes owns this generation. Its 88 mentions are well ahead of the next area, electrical system (45). Its first model year, the 2016, drew more complaints than any other (156 of 239).

What MKX owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2018 (2nd generation)

The 2016 draws most of the complaints. About a third of NHTSA owners of the 2016 describe brake trouble, such as a pedal that sinks, low brake fluid warnings or longer stops, and others report the engine shutting off or losing throttle. CarComplaints lists engine shutdown, lost acceleration and throttle failure for 2016, and starter module failure and stalling for 2017. Lincoln replaced the MKX with the Nautilus after 2018. Recalls cover front brake hoses and rear brake hoses on 2016–2018 models that may rupture and leak fluid, and driver air bags on some 2016–2017 models. [1] [2] [3]

2007–2015 (1st generation)

The 2007 and 2008 draw the most complaints, largely about Takata air bag recalls and parts delays, and some 2007 owners report fuel leaks or odor. NHTSA owners of the 2011 and 2013 often mention a soft or sinking brake pedal, and some 2011 owners report doors that fail to latch. CarComplaints lists transfer case and transmission failure for 2007, water pump failure that leaked coolant into the engine and a brake pedal to the floor for 2011. Recalls cover driver and passenger air bag inflators on 2007–2010 models and fuel tanks on 2007–2008 models in salt states that may leak. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag inflator recalls on older models and the brake hose recalls on 2016 to 2018 models.
Ask for water pump, transmission and brake repair records.
On the drive, press the brake firmly to check for a sinking pedal, and confirm every door latches and the engine runs without hesitation.

Sources (8) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

MKX complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every MKX version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,417complaints, 2007–2018

52mention a crash

20mention a fire

35injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2007 (298), 2008 (253), 2013 (163)

2007 · 298 complaints

Crashes 14 · fires 8 · injuries 12

Air bags154

Power train35

Fuel/propulsion system32

Engine17

Service brakes17

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

MKX CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 30 MKX versions for model years 2007–2018. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 415 g/mi (2013). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

U3882007–2015

18–21 mpg · CO₂ 415–494 g/mi

U5402016–2018

19–20 mpg · CO₂ 434–472 g/mi

Model year2018

20combined MPG

440CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,350EPA yearly fuel cost

3/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV125 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 125Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2018: FWD · Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L — 20 MPG · 440 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

MKX vs Acura MDX vs Lexus RX

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2007–2015. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the MKX, against 11 for the Acura MDX and 7 for the Lexus RX. Pick a range to compare.

Lincoln MKXU540

Model years 2016–2018

NHTSA recall campaigns: 9
NHTSA owner complaints: 239
EPA combined mpg: 19–20
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 2.7, 3.7 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 88
Electrical system 45
Engine and cooling 44

Acura MDX

Model years 2016–2018

NHTSA recall campaigns: 12
NHTSA owner complaints: 807
EPA combined mpg: 21–27
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L
Also listed: hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 312
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 203
Electrical system 110

Lexus RX

Model years 2016–2018

NHTSA recall campaigns: 6
NHTSA owner complaints: 243
EPA combined mpg: 21–30
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 42
Engine and cooling 36
Fuel system 27

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Lincoln MKX VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an MKX

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Lincoln MKX (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The MKX was rebadged as the Nautilus for 2019. Pre-2019 MKX units carry the VIN at the lower driver's windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label. Engine bay stamp is also present. The U540 generation starts with the 2016 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (G for 2016) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Lincoln MKX VIN questions

Which Lincoln MKX model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2007 leads with 298, ahead of the 2008 (253) and 2013 (163). Those first two alone make up 39% of the 1,417 MKX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Lincoln MKX had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 22 vehicle campaigns for model years 2007–2018, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, U388 leads with 13. Then come the U540 (9), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Lincoln MKX recalls are high risk?

16V-384 and 17V-024 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 21V-158, 18V-046, 19V-001 and 17V-123 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 14V-682, 08V-301, 15V-712, 10V-659, 11V-128, 19V-809 and 18V-548. Do-not-drive advisories came with 16V-384, 17V-024, 18V-046 and 19V-001. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which MKX generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the U388 is 2007–2015 and the U540 2016–2018. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (G is 2016).

What fuel economy does the Lincoln MKX get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2016–2018 U540 at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18–21 mpg for the 2007–2015 U388 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Lincoln MKX compare with the Acura MDX and Lexus RX on recalls?

For 2016–2018 models the MKX has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Acura MDX has 12, the Lexus RX 6. Complaints run 239, 807 and 243 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Lincoln MKX have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 MKX 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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