2014 LINCOLN MKX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that a message was displayed, indicating that the camera was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, but was also not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer suggested that the rearview camera system might need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

This automobile has a 3.7-liter engine manufactured by Ford Motor Company. We are the second owner of the vehicle. A dealer representative informed us the motor has an inherent defect while inspecting pinch weld failures. This engine, transversely mounted, was created whereby the chain driven water pump is located behind the front casing placing access on the passenger side of the vehicle. Water pumps have planned obsolescence and when these water pumps fail, the antifreeze drains into the engine crankcase mixing with the engine oil causing catastrophic failure of the engine within minutes of the water pump failure. This is a significant safety hazard causing the engine to seize and when at expressway driving could cause a serious accident due to the sudden loss of power and being stranded on the side of the road. There are approximately four (4) million vehicles manufactured by Ford and Mazda with the 3.5 and 3.7 liter transversely mounted engines. As the vehicles age, the water pump failure can occur between 120-150,000 miles rendering the vehicle incapacitated wherever the failure occurs. From my research, there is no prior warning of the failure. The cost to replace the pump is 2-3,000 USD and the engine is approximately 7,000 USD. Contacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be our only recourse in a remedy for this defect. The 2014 Lincoln MKX FWD/AWD remains a beautiful and a functional vehicle, the type you would want to retain for many years beyond its initial service interval. We would therefore request the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this matter and mandate the manufacturer implement a cost effective retrofit to replace the water pump prior to failure or issue a full recall of the vehicles, compelling the manufacturer to provide a fair market value buy back to the current owners of the vehicles. We have factual data to support this claim and the severity of the encounter when the pump fails.

The rear view camera has a major issue it either goes black or even upside down creating a major hazard when I have to park or go into reverse

Backup camera will be upside down at times and this seems to happen when you really need the help of the camera. I have had the check with your dealership come up when it doesn't work at all and they didn't have any answers for me. I see there are several vehicles out there that are having the same problem and there is a recall on them. I would appreciate your help with this. I haven't had any accident with this but would really like to have this fixed. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

A year ago, Lincoln issued a "voluntary recall" for a safety issue affecting loss of power brake assist due to a problem with the Electronic Brake Booster, identical to the recall recently issued for newer models. I took my Lincoln to the dealership, only to be told they cannot fix it unless it is happening when you bring it in. It is a very sporadic failure, lasts for a short time, and impossible to predict. So, while they claimed to have issued a 'voluntary recall', it is ineffective since the sporadic nature makes it impossible to get it fixed. Then the voluntary recall expired a few months after they sent out the notice.