Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Lincoln Mkx submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words
Recalled master cylinder brake booster was repaired at the dealership under the recall approx 4 or 5 years ago. The same issue has began again. Out of nowhere while braking, the pedal will become soft and press to the floor. During this time, the car will not slow down. This is resembling a defective part.
brake booster
What system Failed: Hydraulic Control Unit within the braking system. Brake Pedal and Master cylinder in good working order. Safety Concern: Vehicle failed to stop. Peddle completely to the floor. Accident avoided. Problem Reproduced or confirmed by Service Center: Yes, at a cost of $1,699.00 Inspected: Yes. Vehicle has low miles. Odometer: 114,591 Warnings: No lights or warnings, attempted to stop and brake pedal to the floor. Stopped driving until repairs made. Unsafe! Vehicle failed to stop in normal traffic without warning, speed was approximately 45 mph. Personal Information: Site stated do not list personal information. Therefore, repair invoice available upon request. No upload given at this time.
While leaving out my driveway my brakes went straight to the floor before stopping. After I put the car in park and put my foot on the break again it was hard to push the brake pedal. I also hear air coming from the break pedal area. I had no warning and still do not have any warnings. I’ve noticed after reading a lot of reviews this seem to be a common problem and it’s not safe. Mileage 104,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the brake master cylinder was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was then diagnosed with a defective ABS system; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a brake booster fault and the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure with the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,300.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal became firm and difficult to depress. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the failure to be brake booster and brake master cylinder failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000. The contact stated the brake booster was replaced.
The braking system failed to adequately stop the car. In contacting the Lincoln Customer Service, this failure mode is associated with a Lincoln Customer program # 13N02. This program has a 10 years or 150000 miles limit for repair. The vehicle (MKX - 2012) has 65000 miles and was purchased 12/20/2011. It is 1 month out of the defined period. The car has only been driven a few hundred miles since 2020 due to illness and death of the owners. The brake system is a safety device and should not be considered a "Customer Care" program with limits as noted above. The failure of a breaking system will cause potential personal injury including death and should be reconsidered as a safety recall or the program should be extended. The incident of a major traffic accident on the highway was avoided that would have involved multiple cars if not taking evasive action in the median. The problem was confirmed by a dealer, verbally given the operation of the brake system. There were no warning lamps or any other indication prior to the incident. The VIN: [XXX] Thank you for your follow-up of this situation. [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Brake pressure loss without warning
I had to slam on the brakes due to a driver pulling out in front of me without looking. The brakes went to the floor and I had difficulty getting the car stopped. I took it in to my mechanic and they diagnosed as a master cylinder, which I had replaced 7 months prior for a similar incident. But, replacing the master cylinder didn’t solve the problem. After more work, they replaced the entire ABS system for the rear brakes ($1900). I drove it 3 times and the brakes locked up on their own while I was driving at 60 miles an hour. When we got to the side of the road, smoke was billowing out of the brakes and the car would not move even though we were pushing the gas. We had the car towed ($300) back to the mechanic. They said the brake fuel line had gotten clogged and the front master cylinder needed to be replaced ($900). Drove twice and same issue, this time smoke billowing out of rear brakes. All brake fluid has completely drained and car needs to be repaired again. It is not drivable, so we will have to have it towed again. I’m so frustrated because this is extremely dangerous and I am stuck with a vehicle that seems to be irreparable and not drivable. Shame on Ford for not recalling this when it is obviously such an issue.
I was driving and when I pressed on the brake, the pedal went far down and had no indication of the care stopping. It did, but it took a long time to brake. I took it for repair at Firestone, because my dealer warranty was expired. However, the Firestone let me know there is a booster brake replacement letter; the number of the recall is: 13N02. My car still qualifies as it is under 150,000 miles. The dealership repair denies my car is eligible; the main Lincoln office customer service representative also denied my car based on the vin. Is this correct? The letter of Customer Satisfaction Warranty shoes no exception based on vin?
Driving late at night from dinner, brakes failed. Took MKX to servicing dealer, replaced m/cyl problem still there, order brake controller two weeks ago, part on shortage no due date. Part fit alot of models and years. FMC should pay for parts, very safety failure, we live in rural area and have the car serviced at Ford/Lincoln. no warning lights
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN CAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ,AS I HIT THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR, I ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP THIS WAS N THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND 2 TIMES WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE SUV THIS IS CAR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER IN 2018 FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.
MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS REQUIRING EXTREME FORCE TO STOP AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, FOLLOWED BY A HISSING AIRY SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A BRAKES AND CHARGED ME $900. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE AND TEST DRIVING IT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AFTER RE-DIAGNOSING THEY POINTED THE FINGER TO A HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THIS ISSUE POSES GREAT DANGER AND THE INABILITY TO STOP WITHOUT LITERALLY STANDING AND APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT ANY SPEED, THE FORCE NEEDED TO STOP AND A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WITH RAMMING IN THE BACK OF SOMEONE, THE CAR IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. ADDITIONALLY, I'VE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS CAR WHERE THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN. IT DOES NOT DETECT A PERSON PUTTING THINGS IN THE TRUNK AND I'VE HAD TO RUN AND PUSH IT UP TO SAVE A KID WHO WAS LOADING SPORTS EQUIPMENT.
WHEN MAKING A STOP THE BRAKES ARE HARD, THEN SUDDENLY THE GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEN AT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR DIES, I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK TO START IT UP. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I'D TAKEN IT TO THE FORD LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER COST WAS 905.00 ALSO THE BACK UP CAMERA US UPSIDE DOWN.
MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX HAS A VERY LOW BREAK PEDAL AND IS A RESULT OF THE (HCU) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. AS MY CAR'S BREAK PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT MAKES STOPPING THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT ANY SPEED.THIS IS VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.I AM ASSUMING FORD WILL WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BEFORE THEY RECALL THE PROBLEM.BUYER BEWARE STAY AWAY FROM THIS MODEL AND THE MAJORITY OF FORD PRODUCTS. STILL VERY CONFUSED AS TO HOW AND WHY FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH SUCH A SERIOUS BREAKING PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL SINCE 2012.
WHEN USING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND STOPS SLOWLY. THIS IS DONE WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS WHAT SPEED. THE BRAKES WOULD RETURN AND GO BACK OUT RANDOMLY. I HAVE THE BRAKES GO OUT ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET AS WELL AS IN PARK OR IN GEAR. BRAKE BOOSTER RECALL WAS DONE AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. RETURNED TO LINCOLN AND DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE STATING NEEDING TO REPLACE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRONIC CONTROL. THE HYDRONIC CONTROL NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE PRICE CAN GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP.
IN OCTOBER 2019, THE BRAKES IN MY 2012 LINCOLN MKX WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. I HAD NO BREAK PEDAL PRESSURE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, USING MY EMERGENCY BREAK TO SLOW DOWN FULLY, AND FORTUNATELY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND NO ONE WAS HURT. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO OUR LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BREAK BOOSTER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 21ST, I HAD ISSUES WITH MY BREAKS AGAIN. WHILE I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BY PRESSING THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BREAK TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A VALVE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS RESULTED IN A $2001 REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR. I AM VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED AT ONLY 85,000 MILES. ON DECEMBER 6TH, IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME. THE BREAK FLUID, WHICH HAD BEEN FILLED AT THE TIME MY ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED HAD COMPLETELY EMPTIED, RESULTING IN MY INABILITY TO PROPERLY USE MY BREAKS. AGAIN, I HAD NO PEDAL PRESSURE. I REFILLED THE BREAK FLUID IN ORDER TO 'SAFELY' GET MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND OUT THAT ONE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM UNIT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE VALVE WAS AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING. I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SOME VEHICLES DUE TO VALVE ISSUES - THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE HAD TWICE. MY CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY PART OF THE RECALL. THIS IS THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD BREAK ISSUE WITH MY CAR. EACH TIME MY FIVE YEAR OLD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THESE THREE INCIDENCES HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ACCIDENT OR INJURY, BUT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.
HIT POTHOLE OR DEPRESSION IN ROAD, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. VERY MUSHY. HARD TO BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. TOO IN FOR REPAIR TO FORD AND LINCOLN DEALER, 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FIX SINCE ISSUE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. LAST EVENT ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, HA D TO TURN OUT OF THE WAY. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACE, WASHBOARD SURFACE. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES THE PAST 6 MONTHS. LATEST 12/15/2019.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 13N02 WAS ISSUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. *DT *DL
THE BRAKES ON OUR 2012 LINCOLN MKX HAVE WITHOUT WARNING FAILED PLACING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AT GREAT RISK. THE SEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE WAS A VERY STIFF BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SOFT PEDAL THAT WHEN DEPRESSED GOES FULLY TO THE FLOOR (ENDPOINT OF THE BRAKES). IN SPITE OF BEING FULLY DEPRESSED BRAKING IS EXTREMELY MINIMAL. THERE IS NO CABIN WARNING OF A SYSTEM FAILURE AND THE ONLY METHOD OF KNOWING OF THIS LIFE CRITICAL SYSTEM'S FAILURE IS NEEDING TO USE THE BRAKES. THIS OBVIOUSLY PLACES THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR AND THOSE INNOCENTLY IN THE CAR'S PATH AT A HEIGHTENED RISK OF DEATH DUE TO TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT ISOLATED TO OUR FORD PRODUCT BUT EXTREMELY PREVALENT TO FORD EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. WHILE FORD IS SUPPORTING THE ISSUE THROUGH A WARRANTY EXTENSION GIVEN THE EXTREME DANGER PRESENTED BY CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE SUCH AS THIS IT SEEMS PRUDENT THAT THE NHTSA DEMAND A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO THIS ISSUE. OUR VEHICLE HAS ONLY 67,400 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT TRAGEDY!
HAD BRAKES FIXED DURING INITIAL RECALL 4/17/2018. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL UNTIL BRAKES WENT OUT. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN ON 9/3/19. PRESTIGE FORD CONTACTED TWICE WITH NO RETURN CALL. IS THIS GOING TO BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE DUE TO MANUFACTURE FAILURE? ONLY 3,300 MILES PUT ON CAR SINCE BRAKES WERE FIXED THE FIRST TIME. VEHICAL WAS MOVING AND ON HIGHWAY BRAKING TO MAKE TURN. BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAR DID NOT STOP. UNABLE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE TREMBLED AND SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED LINCOLN OF CINCINNATI (9620 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45242, (513) 683-3800). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS24103299 ALONG WITH WARRANTY INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,500.
NOTICED BRAKES GETTING A LITTLE SOFT WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AND HAVING TO PRESS ON THEM FROM A FURTHER DISTANCE TO ENSURE I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR SIGN. THERE IS A CONSTANT HISSING SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE AIR ESCAPING EVEN WITH THE LIGHTEST OF TAPS. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AVOID HITTING A DOG AND THEY EMITTED A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK AUDIBLE INSIDE THE SUV ONLY. THE BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE UP UNTIL RECENTLY AS I HIT THE 78K MILE MARK. THIS MORNING I HAD A HUGE SCARE AS I WAS NEARING AN INTERSECTION AND THEY GAVE OUT, I HAD TO PUMP THEM SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP AND LUCKILY I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND DIDN'T HAVE MY THREE KIDS WITH ME. THERE WAS ALSO NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME IF NOT I WOULD HAVE WRECKED PRETTY BADLY! THIS WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD THERE BEEN MORE TRAFFIC AROUND AND I UNABLE TO TURN ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN MAJORLY INJURED ALONG WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS 'COULD-BE' SCENARIO. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE THIS THING ANYMORE!
MKX HAS ALREADY HAD TWO MASTER BOOSTERS REPLACED, BRAKE LINES BLED OF AIR, AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THERE IS NO BRAKE PEDAL RESITANCE WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENDED BEFORE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT HAVING RESISTANCE BUT SUDDENLY TRIES TO LOCK THE BRAKES UP WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED TO THE FLOORBOARD. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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