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2017 Lincoln MKX problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
19%
9 of 52 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2017 Lincoln MKX. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 19% of relevant complaints.

Better than 89% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2017 Lincoln MKX have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 9 of 52 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln MKX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (19%). For comparison, the 2016 scores 33% and the 2018 scores 23%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
9
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
52
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
0 crashes · 0 injuries

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES19 · 37%
HYDRAULIC13 · 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 25%
ENGINE7 · 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6 · 12%
POWER TRAIN3 · 6%

The years either side

2010
19%
10 of 111
2011
27%
38 of 149
2012
24%
19 of 84
2013
23%
36 of 163
2014
37%
13 of 35
2015
too few complaints
2016
33%
49 of 156
2017
19%
9 of 52
2018
23%
6 of 31
2019
no data
2020
no data
2021
no data
2022
no data
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER04/09/2026
During a manufacturer-mandated software module update, North Central Ford (Plano, TX) bypassed continuous power supply safety protocols. This negligence caused a voltage drop, interrupted the software flash, and completely corrupted the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The dealership returned the vehicle to …
ENGINE10/03/2023
While driving on interstate 271/480 my check engine light started flashing and my car suddenly died putting me in harms way as I tried navigating 3 lanes to get to the berm. It was towed to 2 different Lincoln dealerships where they both confirmed the engine lost compression and would need a full replacement. This vehi…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,ENGINE03/29/2023
The contact owns 2017 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at highway speeds. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle would operate normally. The contact stated t…

Three of 9 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2017 Lincoln MKX (5)

SERVICE BRAKES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission…
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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 fra…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2017 Lincoln MKX

Questions people ask about the 2017 Lincoln MKX

Does the 2017 Lincoln MKX have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 9 of 52 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln MKX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (19%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2017 Lincoln MKX?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2017 Lincoln MKX. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Lincoln MKX years are better?

The 2017 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Lincoln MKX years we track (19%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2017 Lincoln MKX?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2017 Lincoln MKX shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.