Cosmos36

For those with the intermittent hatch issue, does the problem occur when using the remote fob, manual dash/hatch command, or either? Opening, closing, or both?

I haven't driven the Nautilus, but the paramount curiosity I've had about any improvement over my 2016 2.7TT would be road noise and interior quietness. Lincoln has stated that suspension improvements (bushings) and added acoustical materials have led to the nautilus being quieter than previous MKX models. From various sources that has apparently been accomplished. The 2020 models will soon be available and we'll see if there are any further refinements. As to fuel mileage, I regularly exceed the EPA averages of 17/24 mpg (500/700 km per tank) with the great 2.7TT engine. If I reduce my usual 70+ mph freeway speeds to ~55-60 mph, the MKX provides up to 31 mpg. Back in the years of several Oldsmobile & Cadillac ownerships, I would brag on getting 18 mpg highway mileage. Today, with all the improvements/amenities/power/safety of modern vehicles, I am immensely pleased with the perceived value of the MKX-Nautilus.

I suspect you're correct re: Costco. I had the recent experience of returning something without a receipt bought months earlier...they just scanned my membership card and the unit's barcode and, voila, $$$ while pleasantly smiling and mentioning that their guarantees are 'unconditional'. Also, I remember when purchasing the MKX that the manager closing the sale said that I was entitled to three free 'somethings' related to services. I recall wiper blades being mentioned. I'll look into it. Thanks.

Recent efforts to install Chinese-made Michelin/Costco Guardian wiper blades to my 2016 MKX have failed after two attempts to attach correct connectors mailed from the Michelin licensee (Pylon Manufacturing Co. in Deerfield, Florida). The first issue manifested itself immediately. The OEM wipers are low profile SIDE-MOUNT blades that hide below the hood cowl & out of the airstream. The Michelin blades are TOP-MOUNT blades that elevate the wiper arm above the cowl and protrude into the airstream, thus also ruining the aesthetics of the OEM design. The first connector mailed ( # P3-5 received after 4 days) from Pylon was a convoluted, awkward 'Rube Goldberg' device that crudely attached the blade to the arm. The second connector mailed (# P4 received after 9 days) was a third duplicate of two other connectors that were included in the purchased 18" & 24" blade packaging...the # P4 was never designed to fit a MKX arm and is worthless. It was sent to me despite a Costco/Michelin/Pylon online fitment guide specifying a different connector number. The Michelin-Pylon marketing of their "EZ Lok Connector System" is a farce. I will be returning the blades to Costco with the hope of receiving a refund.

Repetitive OEM is boring, BLING captures the eye.

ks...Yes, both fobs are required. That is because the 'good' fob's program is reconciled and both 'good' and new fob then receive a compatible new program. Dealers, of course, can program fobs but usually at premium expense. An online (or telecon) search for local locksmiths that have the programming equipment will lead you to local vendors that usually charge less. They will also cut the blade key for the new fob. The topic is somewhat confusing because not all fobs require the same services to duplicate. To my knowledge, the so-called "remote smart" 4-button fobs of push button start vehicles such as MKX-Nautilus not only cost more but demand more complicated programming requiring software that 'lesser' fobs don't.

I once had a similar occurrence involving a Hyundai replacement fob where the programming of both the original & replacement fobs resulted in a completed program installation of the OEM fob but only an incomplete program installation re: the replacement fob. A re-programming of both fobs solved the issues.

I have never found a protector "...that covers the edge of the bumper" or "...to the end" assuming that both terms refer to coverage of the bumper's top surface and extending from side to side equal to the width of the hatch opening. Also, the polished mirror finish SS available from Carid.com & Shopsar.com (same product, ~$25 price difference) is not what I want, preferring the textured/engineered appearance available elsewhere (OEM or aftermarket for other vehicles).

McC...How many miles on the '17 when the issue occurred? Do you do a lot of short term/mileage driving with infrequent long trips?

A fully detailed discussion in response to your inquiry could get very complicated with many rabbit trails into engine management control strategies (OEM vs aftermarket tunes), towing or not, track vs freeway, fuel characteristics (oxygenated or not, etc.), and so on. There's much to savor via tech research online. However, keeping it simple and practical for most commuters & freeway denizens, the numbers between 87 and 93 octane in a stock OEM engine are not 'significantly' different. And yes, many folks have switched and reported differences ranging from none to slight (when towing). But, reports of ~53 HP & ~55 TQ increases with a 93 Tune on the otherwise-stock 2.7 Nano engine have been published.

Non-digital fuel? Need to switch to Top Tier.

As a DYI maintenance person, I enjoy doing minor projects on my vehicles. It also saves me time & fuel driving across the valley in insane traffic, waiting around the customer service area, avoiding upselling hassles, and assures that the job is done properly and to my satisfaction. Time, fuel saved, and satisfaction is worth more to me than a $20 cost of item.

At 46 months since manufacture with ~30,500 miles, I replaced the OEM MKX cabin air filter costing $19.99. The previously white filter material was uniformly a very dark grey with road grime and the pleats in proximity to a postcard-sized area nearest the incoming air were heavily contaminated with vegetative debris, mostly chopped leaves & weed stems. An area about the size of a lemon opposite the above vicinity was the obvious site of a intended-but-incompleted mouse nest with a hole gnawed through the pleats & small piles of granular filter material scattered about. I was surprised at the dark color of the old filter, but was left wondering if smoke/particulates from last year's (2018) prominent wildfires surrounding the PDX area on three sides (Canada, California, eastern Oregon, and much of the western U.S. including Alaska) most of last summer contributed...the air here was so noxious that my breathing issues restricted me to staying indoors for much of the season. However, the MKX interior always appeared unaffected when out and about.

As one who has long been interested in the technology of vehicle assembly over the decades spanning the post war 'slap dash OMG' poor workmanship of the '50s-'70s period up to contemporary robotic assembly lines, I have toured many vehicle assembly facilities...Corvette at Bowling Green was a favorite...and often translate detailed memories of those tours to what I view in showrooms or auto show displays re: assembly fit and finish. The several alignments of the hood, front fenders, grill, headlights, and bumper/fascia are critical to quality assembly, but as has been pointed out occasionally by our intrepid moderator (take a bow A.K.), assembly quality starts with engineering. Many of the 2016-2018 MKXs suffered miscues in the hood and frontal alignments. Perhaps Lincoln's 2019 design of that area was an attempt to address an earlier source of alignment difficulties.

Thanks for pointing that out. I now note the upper cutout of the headlight nacelle/frame. So, all is well.