general problems of the 2012 Lincoln MKX

21 problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2012 Lincoln MKX. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Lincoln MKX based on all problems reported for the 2012 MKX.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/31/2025

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.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/03/2024

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.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 10/05/2022

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.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2022

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 where they initially replaced the brake master cylinder; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was then diagnosed with a defective abs brake system; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was given the same information as the dealer. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

5 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2022

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln Mkx. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph there was a brake booster faulty and the contact pressed the brake to the floor. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure with the brake booster. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,300.

6 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/15/2022

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln Mkx . The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph the brakes became stiff and hard to operate. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; which diagnosed the failure to be brake booster and master cylinder. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

7 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2022

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: 2lmdj6jk9cbl09843 thank you for your follow-up of this situuation. Bill alderton, 513-461-9511.

8 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 10/07/2021

Brake pressure loss without warning.

9 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2021

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 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?.

10 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2021

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.

11 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/29/2021

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.

12 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2021

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.

13 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2020

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.

14 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 10/08/2020

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.

15 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2020

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.

16 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2019

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.

17 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/21/2019

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.

18 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2019

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.

19 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2019

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.

20 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/22/2019

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!.

21 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/06/2015

Same as all the other complaints regarding this problem. I went to stop at a 4 way stop and my brakes were hard than hissed and went way down to the floor. I was not able to stop at the stop sign and I thank god no one was in front of me. After having the brakes inspected and assured that they were ok the problem persisted. Now my car is going to sit until I can figure out what to do next. This is a very dangerous problem! brakes are a necessity and death or injuries need to be avoided now! please please investigate this problem before someone gets hurt or dies.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2012 Lincoln MKX


MKX Service Bulletins
MKX Safety Recalls
MKX Defect Investigations