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2018 Lincoln MKX: problems, recalls and reliability

5 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2025

5
recalls
29
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
Among the quietest MKX years (#10 of 11 by complaints, age-adjusted)5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 29 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)4 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)4 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)2 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)2 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2 complaints
The 2018 Lincoln MKX Third Brake Light lens cracked off in 3 pieces while going through the automatic car wash dryer on the evening of Friday March 20, 2026. This appears to be an Engineering design issue.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:  25V544000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
Was advised by a law enforcement officer the high-mount stop lamp lens had detatched from the lamp housing. Apparently, the adhesive holding the plastic lens had deteriorated and allowed seperation of the components. The LED circuit board is now exposed to the elements. This without a doubt will cause the CHMSL to fail due to water and salt intrusion. Additionally, the non-diffused LED's are blinding drivers behind this vehicle at night. This failure occurred on the highway, and the lens nearly struck a car behind me.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2025
The contact's husband owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was scanned, and a fault code for the catalytic converter was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2024
Catalytic converter internally failed on April 12th 2023 based on an initial check engine light Part# F2GZ-5E213-F converter assembly under ESP warranty @ 74,408. Returned back for check engine light 22, 888 miles later on 1/31/24 for check engine light . I was advised that although it was determined a part failure of catalytic converter , that it was my responsibility to pay for 2 catalytic converters, water pump and radiator for cost of $11k. Contacted Lincoln Conceirge they were unable to provide assistance .Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2023
When I utilize my ac or heat without pressing a certain button after a while I start smelling a burning smell coming through the vents. When I'm outside the vehicle I smell it as well. The smell is hard to pinpoint. A dealership told me that maybe I needed to change my air filters. However the burning smell still would happen just the same. Then they checked to see if anything(such as plastic or anything) was stuck to any components that get hot to no avail. But something is wrong and it's scary. Also my vehicle has a very rough idle which sometimes can feel like a rumble. A tune up was suggested and complete and I still have the same experience. I love my vehicle but growing tired.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2023
The contact owned a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while parked at an inclined position, the vehicle rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 5 campaigns

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH18V612000 · Sep 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended. Vehicles with shorter door striker bolts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components" potentially resulting in the doors opening in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door striker bolts, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C06.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH20V414000 · Jul 2020

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.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS25V544000 · Aug 2025

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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS20V469000 · Aug 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY18V548000 · Aug 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

How other years compare

Check your exact MKX by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Lincoln MKX reliable?

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Lincoln MKX. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.

Does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have open recalls?

5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.