LincolnMKX2016Overview/lincoln/mkx/2016/base/

2016 Lincoln MKX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MKX.

Body SUV

The 2016 Lincoln MKX is an SUV that, in its model year, accumulated 145 owner complaints, with a disproportionate focus on service‑brake issues and a total of seven recalls recorded across its production run. Its complaint count falls well below the peak 298 complaints observed in 2007 but remains above the 19 complaints logged by the 2015 model, placing it toward the lower‑mid range of the vehicle’s reliability history. This pattern indicates that while the 2016 iteration shows measurable improvement over earlier generations, it still carries a modest defect burden relative to the brand’s best‑performing years.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112010

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire sizeP245/60R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Cabin air filterDG9Z19N619D

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.2 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight4387 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2016 Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.50 sec335 hpAWD
2016Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.70 sec335 hpAWD
2016Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec14.70 sec335 hpAWD
2016Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec14.70 sec335 hpFWD
2016Reserve 2.7 EcoBoost 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.90 sec15.40 sec335 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.0-12.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.75-1.2
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity10.6 qt
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 1st; Lower: 8.8 ft/lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionPTU: 52.0, Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 148.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 148.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.20 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 65; Rear: 19 /; Front: 41; Rear: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 98; Rear: 66 /; Front: 111; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque7.0 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.023; Rear: .374
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 model year interrupts the low-complaint trend of 2014-2015 with a surge to 145 complaints from 19 in 2015, accompanied by seven recalls after a year with none and a spike to 220 technical service bulletins—substantially exceeding the 167 recorded in 2017. This positions 2016 as a distinct high-point for manufacturer interventions and owner reports within the later production years shown, with 2017 showing immediate moderation across all metrics. Federal data identifies Service Brakes with 23 filings and Engine with 14 as the primary complaint categories, alongside 6 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints, though specific failure modes are not documented. Given its statistically elevated position for recalls, complaints, and service bulletins relative to both the 2015 baseline and the improving 2017 trajectory, the 2016 MKX presents higher ownership risk and is not the strongest candidate among the years analyzed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
220
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
145
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 145 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes23
Unknown Or Other14
Engine14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Electrical System9
Wheels7
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Power Train5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V632000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 29/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a…

20V469000Service BrakesReported 10/08/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 220 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 545042026-01-16Exterior LightingSome 2016-2017 Edge/MKX, 2017 Continental/Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
25E022025-11-24Power TrainThe affected vehicles have an emissions control system that does not account for certain…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 MKX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.