2016 Lincoln MKX: sudden loss of power

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

The internal water pump failed, dumping a half gallon of antifreeze into the engine oil. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all power while driving in the middle of active traffic, creating a severe crash hazard .

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · MI

While driving, there is an electrical issue that is causing warning alarms to go off for hill-descend control, advance-trac traction control, etc. During this time, there is also a complete loss of power steering and making the vehicle almost impossible to turn. The first incident happened on November 26, 2021 around 7pm were I was able to stop prior to hitting a building. I shut the vehicle off and back on again and the power steering was now working. I was unable to get Lincoln to tow the vehicle because it was "too far" from the roadside tow drivers service area. On the same day, I drove it the rest of the way home but upon exciting the highway around 7:30pm, the power steering again went out and I was able to stop the vehicle prior to going into the ditch next to the road. I had it towed to a Lincoln dealer in Wixom, Michigan but over the weekend could not locate the vehicle and at that point I was talking to an Advisor with Lincoln. They told her it would be at least 5 weeks before they could even look at the vehicle so per her recommendation, it was towed to Lafontaine Lincoln in Flushing, Michigan. It was in the shop until Wednesday, December 15th. I was informed they changed out the steering rack and pinion but was given no paperwork because they told me it was all covered under warranty. On December 21, 2021 while driving on Linden Road in Fenton, Michigan, it did the same thing with my wife driving and resulted in a compete loss of power steering and she went into the oncoming lane around a bend before she was able to get the vehicle stopped. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic. I will be having it towed again to the dealership. Luckily for me, these incidents have only resulted in near-miss situations but this is a major issue and will result in serious accidents if it hasn't already.

Filed Apr 22, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 5,107 miles · NY · fire

After start and short drive including a left than right turn. At stop sign, vehicle dashboard lit up with safety warnings, started shaking, lost power, and started on fire. Smoke began in drivers side engine compartment and engulfed whole engine. Vehicle was serviced two days prior.

Filed Oct 28, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 1,065 miles · NJ

Vehicle purchased february 2016. On march 15, 2016 (1,065 miles), driving vehicle approaching an intersection on a busy street to make a left turn onto a major highway on-ramp, vehicle lost power while in motion and appeared to enter "accessory mode". Was able to bring vehicle to stop (in the middle of the intersection), put it in park and restart the vehicle. Brought it immediately to lincoln service department. Service department had vehicle for two days and could not diagnose or replicate the problem. Gave the vehicle back to me without attempting any repairs. On may 14, 2016 (2,838 miles), driving at low speed on back roads, vehicle lost power again while in motion and entered accessory mode. Brought it immediately to lincoln service department. The service department could not replicate the issue, but found a tsb that they thought would apply to the issue. The technicians reprogrammed the software in the power control module and gave the vehicle back to me. On june 25, 2016 (3,663 miles), driving at low speed on a main road, vehicle lost power again while in motion and entered accessory mode. Brought it immediately to lincoln service department. The service department kept the vehicle for two weeks to attempt to replicate the problem. After speaking with lincoln corporate engineers, the technicians replaced the throttle body, assuming that was where the issue was originating. Lincoln refused to replace the vehicle and insisted that the throttle body was at the bottom of the issue. As of october 28, 2016, the vehicle has not lost power again.

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Acceleration · 7,401 miles · KS

I was driving to my son's house when the car lost power there was a chime warning and on the dash a menu starting the hill assist was not available the engine continue to run but there was no response when I pressed on the accelerator the car would only due about 3 miles at idle speed. Was able restart it and make back home, on the next day10/09/16 I had the same problem this time I could not get it to accelerate I had the car towed to the dealership it was sunday the dealer was closed. I called the dealer on monday and told him what happen and he said they were working on it. They called later and said it was throttle control and a couple of error codes that required up dating p2111, u0415 and u0416. They also replaced the throttle body. They also noted they drove it 9 miles and noted that all ok at this time. That last comment sounds that this could happen again. This is a very dangerous problem had I been on the interstate at rush hour I might not be writing this to complain. When this happens the car slows on so fast that the car behind doesn't know you have a problem because you are not braking which means your brake lights are not on and he more than likely is going to hit you. The first time this happens is quiet scary because you have no idea what is happening.

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Engine · 4,052 miles · TX

Lost power while in motion on city street, began running rough. 'powertrain' indicator (wrench) lit on dash. Limped car to parking lot. Called selling dealer. Car towed to dealer. Dealer replaced air intake throttle body on warrenty. Mileage on car 4052. Production date on car is 07dec15, 3.7l v6 engine.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Electrical · 4,500 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 lincoln mkx. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and failed to restart. The all wheel drive indicator illuminated. The contact called for roadside assistance, but the vehicle restarted before they arrived. The failure recurred on the way to the dealer, but the vehicle restarted. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to document what happened. The failure mileage was 4,500.

Filed Aug 2, 2016 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · UT

Traveling down interstate at 70 MPH, when vehicle lost power. Service warning light appeared on dash, followed quickly by engine service light. No response to the gas pedal. Turned off vehicle and restarted and it operated normally for about 10 minutes. 11000 miles on an 8 month old mkx. Serious safety issue.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Fuel system · 5,264 miles · AL

My wife lost all power while driving down highway on july 13 2016. She was able to pull over in traffic to avoid major accident from this loss of power. Was able to start car after a few minutes. Check engine light was on. She called and I instructed her to go ford immediately. Met her there and they made this a priority. Throttle body replaced and back to us the next day. Mileage was only 5264 when this happened. We love this car. There should be a recall asap.

Filed Jun 29, 2016 · Fuel system · 6,000 miles · MI

Total loss of power when approaching traffic light, numerous attempts to restart, finally started, check engine light came on as well as hill assist light (on a complete level surface at time) very close call on getting hit at intersection, unsafe situation. Once able to restart car had very limited power, was able to get car to dealership approx 1 mile away, service advisor immediately knew it was a "throttle body issue" and the part is on back order, appears there have been numerous occurrences w/this exact same problem, this is a very very serious safety concern I was fortunate to be in a area where traffic was not as heavy (still almost hit) but if this happened on highway or busier intersection the outcome might not have been as favorable.

Filed Jun 22, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 5,000 miles · CA

My vehicle has been losing power while I'm driving, leading to some very close calls on serious accidents. The "check engine" light will come on, and sometimes the "hill assist" message will also appear. Once power is lost, the vehicle loses power steering and literally shuts down; the accelerator does not work. I have to basically limp to safety. I took the vehicle into the dealership, and they found nothing, sending me away only for it to happen again. All 5 times this has happened, the vehicle was in motion on a city street, as I have avoided highways since the first time it happened. I've done extensive online research, and have found hundreds of others who have experienced the same issue.