Service brakes
Free remedy
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.
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2018 Lincoln MKXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKX. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Aug 2025
Owner complaints
31
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Service brakes
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Seats: power adjust
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
31 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2018 – Sep 2026
- Electrical system5
- Service brakes4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Exterior lighting3
- Engine3
- Steering2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Wheels2
- Air bags2
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 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
5 reports
“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, and I took it to the shop, the mechanic said he couldn't get the correct electrical info to change it. Service steering warning comes on and blinks. I was driving two separate occasions and the car put itself in park and it stop abruptly when I slowed down. I tried to download a new version and it will not update. Theirs static in my speakers even after I turn the car off and windshield wipers work when they want to. I have another appointment next week, theirs so many recalls on this car, the rear brake lines and other recalls I'm not sure if it was handled. The dealership said I have no issues with the last report but my car stoppin in traffic, can't put on signals is very dangerous.”
Service brakes
4 reports
“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.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
4 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.7L 6-cyl turbo · 3.7L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6)
- 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 27, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKX FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| MKX FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 440 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 467 |
| MKX AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 471 |
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Lincoln MKX SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln MKX SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.4%
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 MKX questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln MKX have?
5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 MKX problems?
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), service brakes (4), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Lincoln MKX get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln MKX at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
How safe is the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Lincoln MKX 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026