YearToAvoid

2018 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#9 most-complained of 11 MKZ years

The 2018 Lincoln MKZ ranks 9th of 11 model years with a complaint index of 20, making it one of the better MKZ years. NHTSA lists 34 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 injury, with engine issues the top problem area at 41% of complaints.

Complaints
34
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2018 Lincoln MKZ problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine14 (41%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain9 (26%)
  3. Other5 (15%)
  4. Electrical System3 (9%)
  5. Fuel System2 (6%)
  6. Lane Departure2 (6%)
  7. Airbags1 (3%)
  8. Brakes1 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Transmission stalls repeatedly and sometimes shifts into park on its own with a loud clicking sound before the engine dies.
  • Transmission can fail or slip when switching gears, causing the vehicle to roll before the engine restarts.
  • Headlight low beams have been reported as blinding at night, diagnosed as a headlight failure at the dealer.
  • Brakes have locked up at low speed with the ABS warning light flashing and no cause found by the dealer.
  • Rear liftgate LED strip has filled with water, shorting the reverse lights so they stay on while driving.
  • Sunroof glass has shattered while driving with no impact, described as a loud blast with glass falling around the roof perimeter.
2018 Lincoln MKZ complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2019Jan 2020Apr 2022Jan 2024Oct 2024Aug 2025Jun 2026
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2026 (3).

2018 Lincoln MKZ recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V162000Mar 10, 2023Brakes1,280,726 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

  2. NHTSA 18V167000Mar 12, 2018Steering1,301,986 vehicles

    Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

    Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

2018 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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 MKZ years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good4064623
2017Caution70139422
2018Best2034222
2019Best1020122
2020No verdict02122

All Lincoln MKZ years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 MKZ ranks 9th out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 20 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other MKZ years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Engine issues make up 41% of complaints and Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 26%, based on NHTSA data. Engine-related failures show a median mileage of 65,000 and transmission issues 69,000.
Does the 2018 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 MKZ: one for front brake hoses that may rupture and leak fluid, and one for a steering wheel bolt that may loosen and let the wheel detach while driving.
How does the 2018 MKZ compare to other Lincoln MKZ years?
The 2018 MKZ has a complaint index of 20, much lower than the worst year, 2010, at 100. Only 2019 (index 10) and 2020 rank better among all 11 model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
The 2018 MKZ gets an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.