MotorDeets

2018 Lincoln Mkx: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2018 Lincoln Mkx: 5 recalls, 31 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.

5vehicle recalls
31owner complaints
2mention a crash
20best combined mpg
2018 Lincoln Mkx
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Electrical, Electrical Vehicle recall #18V548000 · 2018 · 87 vehicles

What's wrong: The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator May not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.

Why it matters: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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.

Latches & locks Vehicle recall #18V612000 · 2018 · 503 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door striker bolts, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018.

Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #20V414000 · 2020 · 19,299 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Brakes, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #20V469000 · 2020 · 488,594 vehicles

What's wrong: The front brake hoses May rupture prematurely.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #25V544000 · 2025 · 499,129 vehicles

What's wrong: The rear brake jounce hose May rupture and leak brake fluid.

Why it matters: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Other / unknown8
Electrical5
Brakes4
Brakes (hydraulic)4
Engine3
Exterior lights3
Wheels2
Airbags2

What owners describe

The 2018 Lincoln Mkx has 31 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 14 Mkx model years for complaints (well below the 101 average). Complaints peaked in 2025 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 17,913 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (52 complaints, 5 recalls), 2019 (0 complaints, 1 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.7 L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive182520Regular
3.7 L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive172520Regular
2.7 L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive172419Regular
3.7 L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive162319Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2018 Lincoln Mkx manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2018 Lincoln Mkx manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2018 Lincoln Mkx manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2018 Lincoln Mkx manual

Heads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure

FAQ

Does the 2018 Lincoln Mkx have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2018 Lincoln Mkx problems?

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (8), electrical (5), brakes (4).

What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln Mkx get?

EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (2.7 L, Automatic (S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2018 Lincoln Mkx repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Mkx years

20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020