2018 Lincoln MKZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 32 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 21.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Engine: 10; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Electrical System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 5; 2025: 7; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 11206840 · 2019-05-10 (May 10, 2019)
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. UPON RETURN FROM LINCOLN SERVICE DEPARTMENT, ISSUE RESURFACE…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11218137 · 2019-06-05 (June 5, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT SWITCHED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OLATHE FORD LINCOLN (1845 E SANTA FE ST, OLATHE, KS 66062) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11663894 · 2025-05-30 (May 30, 2025)
My 2018 Lincoln MKZ with the 2.0 Ecoboost Engine incurred premature engine failure at ONLY 40k miles. My safety as well as other drivers' safety at risk due to EcoBoost Engine in certain model year 2013-2019 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have an inherent design defect which makes them predisposed to leak coolant, including allowing the coolant to seep into the engine cylinder, which causes overheating and cylinder head cracking, and can cause the engine to misfire, suddenly stall, or even catch fire while driving. In April the car began to "shak…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11663894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245947 · 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
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 V…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299439 · 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
IF YOU ARE ON A HILL SUCH AS A DRIVEWAY AND YOU TURN YOUR CAR ON TO ACCESSORY MODE AND THEN FORGET YOUR CAR IS NOT TURNED ON YOU CAN PUT YOUR CAR INTO GEAR. IF YOU PUT YOUR CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR STARTS ROLLING IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO POWER ON THE BRAKES AND CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT IS LOCKED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE MAY BE A CHILD BEHIND A CAR AND IT WILL ROLL BACK UNTIL YOU CAN GET IT TURNED OFF. I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN THE CAR IS NOT TURNE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11299439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265585 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
REAR LIFT GATE ASSEMBLY CENTER LED STRIP IS FILLED WITH WATER. THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE REVERSE LIGHTS TO BE ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS MA INSPECTION AND HAS BEEN CITED FOR THIS INFRACTION. NO DAMAGE TO LIFT GATE, EITHER A PART OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11265585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11707404 · 2025-12-28 (December 28, 2025)
Car only has 97K miles and the transmission fluid has been leaking for some time causing loud noises from the transmission which took time to locate. The transmission leaked fluid and only had about half a liter of fluid when it should be around 4.5 liters. The fluid leaked from the transmission on the driver cv axle seal. The car shows no lights on dash of any kind. I discovered the leak after the noises were really bad while driving one day. I put the car on my ramps and got under and discovered the driver cv axle damaged and looked like elec…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11707404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493450 · 2022-11-14 (November 14, 2022)
2018 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493450 at NHTSA ↗