2018 Lincoln MKX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Lincoln MKX has a complaint index of 31, ranking 10th of 14 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other MKX years. Brakes are the top problem area with 9 complaints, and NHTSA lists 5 recalls including two separate brake hose issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 31/100
- #10 of 14 MKX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2018 Lincoln MKX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear brake jounce hoses or front brake hoses can rupture and leak brake fluid, prompting recall repairs.
- Some owners waited for recall parts to become available before their brake hose issue could be fixed.
- Dashboard, brake, and driving lights have gone dark while the vehicle was running, then returned after restart.
- Side view mirrors have folded in on their own while driving on the highway without being commanded to.
- Airbags deployed in a deer-strike crash but did not deflate afterward, blocking the driver's view and access to the brake pedal.
- Water has been found pooling in the floor and trunk area, with a submerged spare tire in one case.
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?
- Relative to other MKX model years, the 2018 has a complaint index of 31 and ranks 10th out of 14 years, earning a Good verdict.
- What problems does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have?
- Brakes are the top problem area with 9 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system issues with 6 complaints and engine issues with 5 complaints.
- Does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two brake-related recalls for the 2018 MKX: one for rupturing rear brake jounce hoses and one for rupturing front brake hoses.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKX, covering brakes, structure and body, and electrical system components.
- What is the median mileage for brake complaints on the 2018 MKX?
- Owners who reported brake problems had a median mileage of 18,500 miles at the time of failure.