Structure: body
Remedy pending
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2018 Lincoln MKTRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKT. Most complaints involve structure (3) and fuel/propulsion system (1). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
7
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Suspension: rear
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
7 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2020 – May 2026
- Structure3
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Back over prevention1
- Electrical system1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Other / unknown3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Structure
3 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated the black panel trim had detached while driving at 55 MPH on the highway. The driver ran over the plastic. The contact received the recall notification letter for the NHTSA Campaign Number. 25V827000 (Back Over Prevention) The contact called the local dealer regarding the recall. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Shults Ford Harmarville, 1300 Gulf Lab Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, where it was diagnosed, but they were unsure if the part was covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 133,200.”
Fuel/propulsion system
1 report
“Car started to hesitate, then when I stopped at a light it started running rough like it wanted to stall. Then the engine light started blinking. Vehicle was towed to dealership. All fuel injectors, spark plugs, and ignition coils replaced.”
Back over prevention
1 report
“The problem is with the rear camera alerts. Sometimes, when I am backing up, it does not alert me when a person is walking in back of my car or sometimes it is a moving vehicle, and I am in reverse and slowly backing up. All of a sudden I see them right there in back of me so I step on the break quickly, or I would have hit them. It doesn’t always happen, but it has on numerous occasions. This has been happening for a few months now. I forget about it, until it happens again. Today on News Break on my phone, it was informing people with 2016-2018 vehicles that there is a recall on some of these vehicles. So I called Luther Ford in Fargo and told him what happens sometimes, but not always. He told me if there was a problem with the rear camera, there would be a message in my dash warning me of a problem. Then he ran my VIN number and told me there were no recalls for my vehicle. He never took in account, that there might be something wrong with my rear camera. I don’t know if he intended to talk down to me because I am a woman, but that is the way I felt. I will never take my vehicle there again. I had stopped taking my car there before because their oil change…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
5 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKT FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| MKT Livery AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 493 |
| MKT AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| MKT Hearse AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 531 |
| MKT Limo AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 16 | $4,000 | 557 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lincoln MKT as of Oct 30, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2018 MKT questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln MKT have?
2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2018 Lincoln MKT problems?
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (3), fuel/propulsion system (1), back over prevention (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Lincoln MKT get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln MKT at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026