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Lincoln MKZModel year report

2018 Lincoln MKZ Problems

Compared with other Lincoln MKZ years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.3× 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
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
33,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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, 3 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 31 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The part named most often is engine, with 13 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and other or unknown (5). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 136 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Lincoln MKZ model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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: Brakes (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “The engine light came on. The car suddenly wouldn’t go past 35 mph . Thankfully I was on a local road. I had it towed to the dealer and was told that the engine needed to be replaced because coolant leaked into the engine. There were no warning lights except the day of . The car did not give any indication of a leak. Nor was it running hot. Everything was functioning fine.”

NHTSA complaint #11748460, filed 2026-07

Transmission and drivetrain: “Upon driving the vehicle, it has stalled seven times. Two of those incidents involved vehicle going into park without touching the park button. As it was shifting into park, there was a loud clicking sound as though the vehicle was 'fighting' going into park. Then the vehicle died. On at least five other occasions, it just died. Nothing indicating on my way app, or at service department for local Lincoln dealership. This began one week ago yesterday and without pattern, has continued. …”

NHTSA complaint #11206840, filed 2019-05, 135,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Driver came to pick me up. Driver stopped, he thought he pushed park button. Started to get out of car. Got left foot on ground, swung right foot out and car started rolling backwards. Car door knocked him down, catching left foot between door and frame. Car started dragging driver down street in reverse. I had to run around door, put car in park. Driver dragged between 5-10 feet(est). Driver ended up with fractured left ankle, 3 broken bones in left foot, abrasions on right shoulder and left elbow, hematoma on right leg. Car was on a village paved street, in reverse instead of park. …”

NHTSA complaint #11245947, filed 2019-08, 1,600 miles

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11618089, filed 2024-10, 46,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

70% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 65,000 miles.

30%0–1020%10–2520%25–5010%50–7510%75–10010%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 33,000 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.

2019202020212022202320242025202611
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 MKZ. 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
MKZ · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 3554 · 10.9% risk
MKZ · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 3554 · 10.9% risk
MKZ HEV · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 3554 · 10.9% 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; 2019: 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 MKZ 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
MKZ AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic202823$2,900
MKZ AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172620$3,350
MKZ FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic213124$2,800
MKZ FWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182721$3,200

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 MKZ → · 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. 136 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 136 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln MKZ

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20192158,1381524—Rising
20183633,00025240 · FewerRising
201714174,000452446 · TypicalRising
20166456,500652639 · TypicalRising
20158459,0001052643 · TypicalStable
20149760,5001352651 · TypicalStable
201310944,5001252660 · TypicalStable
201214653,750542150 · TypicalFalling
201114568,500542153 · TypicalFalling
201017072,6167—2175 · MoreFalling
200911468,0006—2153 · TypicalFalling
200828180,4004—2250 · TypicalFalling
200725977,4564—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Lincoln MKZ have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Engine is named most often, in 13 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.

Has the 2018 Lincoln MKZ been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Lincoln MKZ 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 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 MKZ get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln MKZ (MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 65,000 miles; 70% 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.