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Lincoln MKXModel year report

2018 Lincoln MKX Problems

Compared with other Lincoln MKX years

Typical for this model

39/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,914miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Lincoln MKX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKX. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by other or unknown (8) and electrical system (5). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 88% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,914 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 142 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 9 Lincoln MKX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 39 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I have experienced this issue and it's been 9 months since the first issuance from Ford on this recall. I paid $523 to repair and this is insane since mechanic told me its an OME part so still going to possibly have same issue till recall is handled.”

NHTSA complaint #11758229, filed 2026-08

Other or unknown: “Unknown/Uncertain as to why the floor is wet on right rear passenger. Dealer unable to detect why floor board is wet. I need answers because this is a health risk/ lungs risk for my family and myself due to questionable mold May probably grow from the wet carpet and wet spell”

NHTSA complaint #11499828, filed 2023-01

Electrical system: “We had our first incident on aug 2 when my wife was driving. Car stalled at a traffic light and she restarted it . Transmission was in drive and she started to accelete to go ahead. The car itself went into reverse and almost hit the car behind her. She was extremely shaken and refused to drive it again. She called a towtruck to take it to our dealer. The dealer could not find the problem so installed an electrical device to record another incident. It then happended when I was driving, only 2 days after we picked it up from the dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #11123198, filed 2018-08, 7,000 miles

Engine: “My vehicle has had emissions vehicle since before I owned it up to now. The catalytic converter has been replaced 4 times which is unheard of. Its presently giving the same codes/issues. The last catalytic converter replacement was November of 2024. It has to be a computer programming issue as my mechanic express. Im asking that this be looked into by Ford. I've owned 1973 Ford Pinto as a teenager, a 1998 Ford Explorer, 2000 Lincoln navigator, 2005 Lincoln aviator and now this 2018 Lincoln mkx has been the only vehicle with this type of issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11729226, filed 2026-04

Mileage when problems were reported

88% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,000 and 30,000 miles.

25%0–1038%10–2525%25–500%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,914 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2018201920202021202220232024202582026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lincoln MKX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MKX · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.5% risk
MKX · SUV FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Lincoln MKX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MKX AWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172419$3,550
MKX AWD3.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162319$3,550
MKX FWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182520$3,350
MKX FWD3.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Lincoln MKX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 142 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 142 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln MKX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20183117,914552039 · TypicalRising
20175229,713552050 · TypicalStable
201615620,0007520100 · MoreStable
20151927,5000420—Falling
20143528,000142114 · FewerRising
201316459,000142149 · TypicalStable
20128465,000142132 · FewerFalling
201114981,0003—2171 · MoreFalling
201011189,0006—2084 · MoreFalling
20096686,5006—1950 · TypicalFalling
200825389,0006—1980 · MoreFalling
200729890,0005—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lincoln MKX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKX as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Lincoln MKX is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 8.

Has the 2018 Lincoln MKX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Lincoln MKX do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Lincoln MKX 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln MKX get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln MKX (MKX FWD, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Lincoln MKX reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,914 miles and the middle half falls between 14,000 and 30,000 miles; 88% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.