2018 Lincoln MKX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#7 most-complained of 11 MKX years
The 2018 Lincoln MKX has 31 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 40, and 5 recalls, ranking 7th worst of 11 model years. NHTSA rates it a 'Good' year relative to other MKX years, with brakes as the top reported problem area.
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 24.5 hwy
Top 2018 Lincoln MKX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes9 (29%)
- Other8 (26%)
- Electrical System6 (19%)
- Engine5 (16%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report rear brake jounce or front brake hoses rupturing and leaking fluid, tied to recall repairs that were sometimes delayed due to unavailable parts.
- Seat belts failed to restrain occupants in a rear-end crash because the seat bottom slid back and the seat back reclined.
- Airbags deployed after a collision but failed to deflate, blocking the driver's view and access to the brake pedal.
- Dashboard, brake, and driving lights stopped working intermittently, sometimes resolving after restarting the vehicle.
- Side view mirrors folded in on their own while driving on the highway without being commanded to do so.
- Water was found pooling in the floor and trunk area, suspected to enter through the rear hatch or glass roof.
2018 Lincoln MKX recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V544000Aug 22, 2025Brakes499,129 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
- NHTSA 20V469000Aug 10, 2020Brakes488,594 vehicles
Service brakes
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Risk: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
- NHTSA 20V414000Jul 17, 2020Structure & Body19,299 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
2018 Lincoln MKX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other MKX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Lincoln MKX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 MKX has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 7th worst out of 11 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other MKX years.
- What are the main problems with the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
- Brakes are the top reported problem area with 9 complaints (29% share), followed by the electrical system with 6 complaints (19%) and engine issues with 5 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 MKX, covering brake hoses, seat cushion frames contacting wire harnesses, short door striker bolts, and improperly secured starter/alternator power cables. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 MKX compare to other years?
- The 2018 MKX (complaint index 40) is better than years like 2013 (100), 2016 (90), and 2011 (80), all rated 'Avoid,' but not as strong as 2015 (20, rated 'Best') or 2014 (30, rated 'Good').
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2018 MKX?
- Median mileage at failure across complaints is 17,913.5 miles, with brake issues showing up around 18,500 miles and electrical issues around 3,900 miles.