2018 Lincoln MKX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Lincoln MKX, most often about brakes. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
26
Recalls
5
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
36,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 8 of 26 complaints (31%).
  • Engine (4) and electrical system (3) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 36,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2018 Lincoln MKX has 5 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 12 Lincoln MKX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 38% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (42).

2018 Lincoln MKX problems by category

  • Brakes
    8 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    7 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other7
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Service brakes4
Electrical system3
Steering2
Exterior lighting2
Air bags2
Engine2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k230k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Lincoln MKX complaints that list mileage.

2018 Lincoln MKX recalls (5)

  • Recall 25V544000Aug 22, 2025499,129 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    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.

    Risk: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

  • Recall 20V469000Aug 10, 2020488,594 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 20V414000Jul 17, 202019,299 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V612000Sep 11, 2018503 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V548000Aug 20, 201887 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2018 Lincoln MKX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 16, 2026MEElectrical SystemLightingSteering
    My vehicle had an electrical recall; I took it in and it gotten worse. The vehicle is making noise, and saying 911 operator is unavailable. The turning signals turn on and off, if I turn one going left, it stays on a while, or I have to shut car off a while to get it to cooperate of it doesn't signal at all. The brake light is on, no airbag light on, has hill assist warning, park aid malfunction light when park aid works, powertrain malfunction light on, pressure monitor on,…
    NHTSA complaint #11764786 · source
  2. Filed Aug 20, 2026TXBrakes
    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 · source
  3. Filed Jun 1, 2026WIBrakes
    The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11741242 · source
  4. Filed Apr 14, 2026SCEngine
    Faulty catalytic converters. Ford has a CSP for the 2018 Lincoln mkx 3.7L engine and only included police driven Mkx's which is totally unfair when they're well aware that Faulty/failing emissions catalytic converters were installed on all of them and they fail and produce p0430 codes regardless of driving habits, I've never driven any of my vehicles harshly and maintain my vehicles, yet since I've owned this 2018 mkx since September of 2024, the rear catalytic converter had…
    NHTSA complaint #11730994 · source
  5. Filed Apr 4, 2026SCEngine
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11729226 · source
  6. Filed Mar 23, 2026MIOther / Unknown
    The 2018 Lincoln MKX Third Brake Light lens cracked off in 3 pieces while going through the automatic car wash dryer on the evening of Friday March 20, 2026. This appears to be an Engineering design issue.
    NHTSA complaint #11726271 · source
  7. Filed Mar 12, 2026OHBrakes
    The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11723786 · source
  8. Filed Dec 1, 2025FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    The rear view camera is intermittent. The camera listed for replacement is F2GZ19G490C. That was a recall item listed for the problem that we are having . It is intermittent and is a safety hazard as indicated in the LINCOLN MKX 2015 THRU 2019. WHY IS IT INDICATED AS NOT HAVING A RECALL TO MY 2018 LINCOLN MKX VIN [XXX] . IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAMERA F2GZ19G490C IS THE CAMERA LISTED AS THE REPLACEMENT AND THEY LIST IT AT FORD FOR $560.68. THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT TOLD ME…
    NHTSA complaint #11702203 · source

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Other 2018 Lincoln models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology