2018 Lincoln MKX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 9 of 30 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 52 in 2017 to 30 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,300 | 3,100–3,300 | 3,100–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 19–20 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–26 | 16–18 / 23–25 | 16–18 / 23–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 434–472 | 440–471 | 440–471 | |
| Complaints filed | 155 | 52 | 30 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Brakes: 9 of 30 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln MKX get?
EPA rates it 19–20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Lincoln MKX?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 440 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 467 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 471 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 25V544000 · Aug 25, 2025
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 20V469000 · Aug 11, 2020
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH; AIR BAGS; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 20V414000 · Jul 17, 2020
Defect: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 18V612000 · Sep 17, 2018
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · Campaign 18V548000 · Aug 23, 2018
Defect: 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.