Brake booster failure
Brake pedal goes to the floor, loss of braking power
Check engine light: Off
The most serious problem for this generation is brake pedal failure with loss of braking power, the pedal going "all the way to the floor" without stopping ability. The same brake booster failure is reported on the Ford Edge, which shares this platform. CSP 13N02 covers this defect, but some owners report their VINs were not covered even though their symptoms matched.
$150 – $750
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Backup camera malfunction
Upside-down image, blackouts, complete failure
Check engine light: Off
Backup camera images displaying upside down, going dark, or failing entirely. The same problem is reported on the Ford Edge, and recall coverage depends on model year. A 2025 recall (Campaign 25S42) explicitly excludes 2011 MKX models.
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Water pump failure / coolant entering engine oil
Unexpected engine shutdowns, overheating, catastrophic engine damage
Check engine light: On
Water pump failures that let coolant enter the engine oil, causing unexpected engine shutdowns and overheating. Owners describe the result as catastrophic engine damage, and the same cooling-system failure is reported on the Ford Edge.
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SYNC infotainment module failure
Screen freezes, unresponsive touchscreen, full module replacement
Check engine light: Off
SYNC infotainment module failures ranging from freezes to a full module replacement.
$150 – $2,636
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"Shift to Park" error
Vehicle will not shift out of gear or register park properly
Check engine light: On
Recurring "Shift to Park" dashboard errors where the vehicle has trouble registering that it's properly in park.
$150 – $4,030
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Power transfer unit (PTU) leak
Fluid leak from the power transfer unit, seal failure
Check engine light: Off
Power transfer unit (PTU) fluid leaks and seal failures on all-wheel-drive models.
$800 – $1,500+
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Poor Fitment and/or Rattle Noise From Headliner
Poor fitment and/or a rattle noise from the headliner
Check engine light: Off
Poor fitment and/or a rattle noise from the headliner. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 20 owner reports on file.
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Foam Seal Between Dash and Windshield May Slip Out of Place
Foam seal between the dash and windshield may slip out of place
Check engine light: Off
Foam seal between the dash and windshield may slip out of place. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 14 owner reports on file.
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This generation shares its CD3/D4 platform with the Ford Edge, and the same three problems show up on both: brake booster failure, backup camera coverage gap, and a catastrophic water pump/coolant-into-oil failure. With the brake booster, some owners report their VINs were not covered by CSP 13N02 despite having identical symptoms to vehicles that were.