2018 Lincoln MKX: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 11253641 · 2019-09-06 (September 6, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLID ALL THE WAY BACK AND THE SEAT BACK RECLINED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT BECAUSE HE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, KNEES, WRIST, AND NECK. THE CONTACT ALSO SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11253641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265574 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
I HAVE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 245/50R20 TIRES AND VEHICLE HAS 19827 MILES ON THEM. COUPLE OF MONTH AGO THEY START RANDOMLY DROP PRESSURE WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE DAMAGE, I PUMPED THEM BACK AND CONTINUE DRIVE. YESTERDAY WHEN I CAME OUT OF STORE ONE OF TIRES HAD 0 PRESSURE. I PUT SPARE TIRE AND DROVE 1/2 MILE TO BELLE TIRE STORE TO FIX IT. TECHNICIAN REFUSE TO FIX A TIRE AS THREAD WORN BEYOND REPAIR (FOR 20000 MILES?). I BROUGHT TIRE HOME AND USED MY AIR COMPRESSOR TO PUMP IT UP AND INSPECT MYSELF - NO DAMAGE FOUND (NO NAILS OR OTHER VISUAL CUTS OR …
Owner-reported narrative. 19,827 miles reported. Look up ODI 11265574 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 ↗
Owner report 11389181 · 2021-01-21 (January 21, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V469000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BAYWAY LINCOLN 12333 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77034; [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11389181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413053 · 2021-04-20 (April 20, 2021)
RECALL WAS IDENTIFIED IN 08/10/2020 BUT YET TO BE FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, RECALL #20S42
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413053 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V548000 · Electrical System:Starter Assembly | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2018-08-20 (August 20, 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.
Consequence: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V612000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2018-09-11 (September 11, 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.
Consequence: If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V414000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | Air Bags | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Reported: 2020-07-17 (July 17, 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.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V469000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2020-08-10 (August 10, 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.
Consequence: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V544000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2025-08-22 (August 22, 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.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗