2008 Lincoln MKX engine problems

Filed May 1, 2025 · Engine · OH

I am reporting a serious mechanical defect in my 2008 Lincoln MKX involving the internal water pump. This vehicle uses the Ford 3.5L V6 Cyclone engine, where the water pump is mounted inside the engine and driven by the timing chain. My water pump failed unexpectedly, causing coolant to leak into the engine oil. This design flaw poses a serious safety risk due to potential engine failure while driving. This could lead to the engine seizing without warning, loss of power steering and braking, and increased risk of a crash. Ford and Lincoln are aware of this issue, and many owners have reported similar failures, but no recall has been issued. Repairs cost thousands of dollars and often require full engine replacement. This is a known design defect that puts drivers and passengers in danger. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate and mandate a recall before someone is seriously injured or worse. This failure is unpredictable, dangerous, and affects many vehicles using this engine platform

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Airbags, Brakes · 134,000 miles · PA

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 manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 160,000 miles · TN

I have had numerous alignments and tires since got this vehicle last year and now it's shacking, rides likes I have a flat or weaving up and down and starting to pull/ stop working while driving and can't find anything wrong still has all original parts! Lights go thru bulbs and can't see

Filed May 5, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 77,000 miles · PA

The vehicle will initially have the speed odometer drop to 0 MPH while still moving. A "wrench" light will illuminate along with the airbag light. The vehicle will lose power and not shift properly. Once the vehicle comes to a stop, the driver must push the accelerator down until the tach reads approx. 3000 rpms before the vehicle will start moving again. When it is moving it shifts erratically and "bang" the gears. If the driver, after stopping, takes the vehicle out of drive and puts in reverse, it bangs the transmission so hard it feels it going to drop out of the vehicle. This happened to me a number of times. The image I attached I was going 55 MPH.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 115,575 miles · WI

Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2008 lincoln mkx. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Also, the vehicle failed to slow down when the brake pedal was depressed and the power steering became inoperable. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,575.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 142,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln mkx. While driving various speeds, on an incline or decline, the vehicle did not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked and would not accelerate forward in stop and go traffic. Furthermore, the check engine indicator illuminated briefly and the rpms rapidly increased. Rob sight ford in kansas city, missouri was notified and stated that there was no recall for the failure. In addition, the dealer offered to provide diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: cas-14516361. The failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 92,808 miles · SD

Yesterday (11/05/2016), I was going to go to the store. The car started fine and ran fine as I backed it out of our driveway, but when I went down the street in front of our neighbors house, it suddenly felt like it shifted into a lower gear. I turned the corner next to my neighbors house and proceeded down a hill that's there, but the car still would only go very slowly. When I got down the hill, I stopped at a stop sign and when I stepped on the gas it suddenly started to run fine. I drove another 7 or 8 blocks until stopping for a red light, that's when I noticed the warning lights showing a wrench and an airbag come on. The light turned green and when I stepped on the gas to make it go, it again would only go at a very slow speed. By the time I crossed the street, the light had switched back to red. Terrified, I pulled into the parking lot across the street and noticed the odometer was showing all zeros. I shut the car off and went into the store, shaking and very scared. I came back out praying it would start up and run fine. It made a grinding noise and sounded louder, but then it started running fine and did so all the way home. I have driven the car twice since then for short distances but haven't had it happen again. We bought this 2008 lincoln mkx used with 92,474 miles on it just 3 weeks prior to this happening. When this occurred, there was approximately 92,808 miles on it. That's a whopping 334 miles put on it by us as well as others who test drove the car since this dealer listed it for sale. Since the wrench warning light came on, my husband suspects the powertrain malfunctioned or a awd fault occurred, as it shows in the owners manual, but said he wouldn't rule out other possible causes. Since we bought this from a used car dealer, though we did take out an extended warranty through our credit union, we don't know what rights exist protecting us.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 78,280 miles · NY

The vehicle surges at lower rpms between 1,000 and 2,000. Dealership tested the problem and found a defective throttle position sensor. Upon review a new throttle body assembly also needed to be replaced. The dealership then re-programmed the PCM to current calibration and road tested the vehicle. Approximately two years later the same problem has reoccurred. The car surges at various speeds and loses power. It is extremely dangerous. We have brought the vehicle to different mechanics who have diagnosed the vehicle with again having a defective throttle sensor and throttle body. We had the throttle body replaced but are still experiencing the problem. The check engine light and maintenance light come on when the car loses acceleration power, but once we restart the car the lights go off. Again, this is extremely dangerous as it has occurred at speeds between 45-55 MPH. We are seeking to have this vehicle recalled as we have seen many other customer complaints with the same problem, or receiving a dealership credit to have the work done again.

Filed Apr 13, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 93,000 miles · MO

When I start my car it makes a clunk then when I shift it into gear it will go into reverse but will clunk and when I put it in drive and I can't go over 5 MPH. It's happening more and more started about 3 years ago but when I took it into the dealer nothing they could do cause it wasn't happening then. It's happened when I've been sitting at a light or stop sign as well. We will then unhook the batter for a few mins and then everything is fine.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 91,000 miles · TX

About every few weeks, upon driving from a stopped position, it seems like the car is stuck in first gear or in low gear- it accelerates upon stepping on pedal, however the car is just crawling along and not picking up speed at all. Consequently, I have to stop the car and put it in park and then back in drive, once I do this it works normal again. On other occasions I feel a hard kick when I put the car out of drive and back into drive. This is very dangerous if I happen to be pulling into a busy intersection and I would have to come to a complete stop to get this car going again.