Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lincoln MKX, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 48 | 29% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 12% |
| Power train | 14 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 7% |
| Engine | 8 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Structure | 5 | 3% |
| Back over prevention | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Back up camera don't work half the time or it is upside down and don't allow proper visibility to back up safely. Have to rely on mirrors and windows to back up.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the transmission warning light illuminated. Occasionally,
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My rear veiw camera only works when it wants to. It is either upside down and no use for backing up or black screen with no working message. I see other years are being recalled for that same reason.
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
1. Rear diff is making grinding noise, front ptu is making a grinding noise and pinion seal is leaking, front axle throwing grease out inner boot. 2. Car stopping in middle of travel. Had a hard time getting it off the r
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Brake failure. Pedal drops, especially when ABS is activated. Dealer diagnosed ABS control module and HCU hydraulic leak. Parts for this are on back order per dealer leaving me with a dangerous driving situation or inabi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a distorted image and an upside-down image. In addition, the contact stated that an error message wa
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH and while attempting to make a right turn, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle on the front passeng
NHTSA complaint: Power train
When shifted into reverse the screen for my Lincoln MKX is upside down and occasionally lines blur seeing anything
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Lincoln MKX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehi
Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not ap
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 62 | average |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 48 of them (29%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.