Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Lincoln MKZ problems
Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2018 Lincoln MKZ with NHTSA between May 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (13).
Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine13
- Power train9
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Exterior lighting2
- Lane departure2
- Electrical system2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Wheels1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Visibility1
- Service brakes1
- Air bags1
- Back over prevention1
- Structure1
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 Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
2
1
5
1
5
7
11
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
13 reports
“Around end of May or beginning of June 2026 a check engine light came on in our 2018 MKZ. The code showed cylinder 3 misfire. We called our local Ford dealership for diagnosis. We almost didn't get there as it started to overheat on the way. Once at Ford they diagnosed it with coolant intrusion in cylinder 3. They said this was a known issue and needed a new block. $11,500 for replacement. They said driving it could cause catastrophic problems to the vehicle and possibly the passengers in it. The vehicle had 65,873 miles on it at time and once home it has stayed in the garage since. They said warranty was over and to call Lincoln for assistance programs as it was a known safety defect. I did call and Lincoln denied any help with repairs.”
Power train
9 reports
“Scanned codes P0741, P1450, P1744, & P2196. Check the transmission fluid level and condition. No fluid drained from hole, added a little fluid, and retrieved a sample of the fluid. The fluid is very dark. Identifix states, if the fluid smells or has the appearance of being black due to internal clutch slippage, the transmission should be replaced or overhauled. If the transmission fluid is in good condition and found to be at the proper level, monitor the Torque Converter Clutch actual slip (TC_SLIPACT) and TCC desired slip (TC_SLIPDSD) PIDs through the scan tool as the vehicle is driven noting these reading should stay relatively closed together expecting the reading to show to be within 10 RPM of each other. Seeing the values spread apart supports the setting of the P0741 and P1744 codes. Note that excessive TCC slip can be caused by multiple internal factors including mechanical failure of the TCC solenoid, an issue of a valve body component that does not hydraulically react to the activation of the solenoid, a leaking valve body gasket, a leaking input shaft seal, or failure of the torque converter seal. There are no external testing measures that can be…”
Engine and engine cooling
3 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact pulled over and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was coolant leaking into the cylinder, which caused engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Exterior lighting
2 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at night at approximately 35 MPH, the low beam light's visibility was blinding and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was diagnosed at a local dealer with a headlight failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,300.”
Lane departure
2 reports
“This is [XXX] my customer is missing and has been missing since 7:45pm 8/17/21 by this vin number i was wondering if you could put a trace on the vin number 3LN6L5D92JR[XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Electrical system
2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW, THE BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.