2018 Lincoln MKX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
17,914 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Engine: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 8; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11130185 · 2018-09-18 (September 18, 2018)
JULY 25, 2018: UPON STARTING CAR WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING SPOT, DASH LIGHT AND INFO CLUSTERS DID NOT LIGHT UP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, DRIVING AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK OR LIGHT UP. TURNED OFF CAR, RE-STARTED. ALL LIGHTS WORKED, THEN DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWAY IN SUBURBAN TRAFFIC. JULY 28, 2018: WHILE PARKING THE CAR IN MOTION NEAR OUR HOTEL IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA (MARRIOTT COURTYARD DOWNTOWN) ALL CAR LIGHTS WENT OUT. FINISHED PARKING CAR WHILE LIGHTS REMAINED OUT AND THEN WENT TO DINNER. UPON RETURNING TO C…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140746 · 2018-10-16 (October 16, 2018)
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR LOOSE SCREWS IN THE DASH BOARD ROLLS AROUND THIS IS GOING IN A CURVE ON HITTING THE BRAKES. PURCHASE THE CAR THE END OF MAY 2018
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11140746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123198 · 2018-08-29 (August 29, 2018)
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. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438074 · 2021-10-25 (October 25, 2021)
2018 LINCOLN MKX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG MALFUNCTION SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST OF 2018, WITH A RECTANGULAR HOLE CUT INTO THE CARPET. THE HOLE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EXPOSING THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRPET WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPLAINED INTERRUPTIONS IN CERTAIN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11329980 · 2020-06-21 (June 21, 2020)
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING W/B ON NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF AND WAS HIT BY CAR. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ( STEERING WHEEL, KNEE BAGS AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN.) PROBLEM IS THEY DID NOT DEFLATE ! THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR DRIVER TO STEP ON BRAKES OR TO SEE ! VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION EXTREMELY LUCKY NO SERIOUS INJURY OR OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED DRIVER HAD HARD TIME GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE (OBSERVED BY STATE POLICE)
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11329980 at NHTSA ↗