2018 Lincoln MKX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Lincoln MKX has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: this car has been in the shop four times for loose screws in the dash board rolls around this is going in a curve on hitting the brakes. purchase the car the end of may 2018.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

8 complaints

21%

• THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR LOOSE SCREWS IN THE DASH BOARD ROLLS AROUND THIS IS GOING IN A CURVE ON HITTING THE BRAKES. PURCHASE THE CAR THE END OF MAY 2018
• Unknown/Uncertain as to why the floor is wet on right rear passenger. Dealer unable to detect why floor board is wet. I need answers because this is a health risk/ lungs risk for my family and myself due to questionable mold May probably grow from the wet carpet and wet spell
• When I utilize my ac or heat without pressing a certain button after a while I start smelling a burning smell coming through the vents. When I'm outside the vehicle I smell it as well. The smell is hard to pinpoint. A dealership told me that maybe I needed to change my air filters. However the burni

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR LOOSE SCREWS IN THE DASH BOARD ROLLS AROUND THIS IS GOING IN A CURVE ON HITTING THE BRAKES. PURCHASE THE CAR THE END OF MAY 2018”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints

18%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V469000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BAYWAY LINCOLN 12333 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77034; (281) 929-6500
• RECALL WAS IDENTIFIED IN 08/10/2020 BUT YET TO BE FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, RECALL #20S42
• Was advised by a law enforcement officer the high-mount stop lamp lens had detatched from the lamp housing. Apparently, the adhesive holding the plastic lens had deteriorated and allowed seperation of the components. The LED circuit board is now exposed to the elements. This without a doubt will cau

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V469000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BAYWAY LINCOLN 12333 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77034; (281) 929-6500”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

5 complaints

13%

• WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT ON AUG 2 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SHE RESTARTED IT . TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND SHE STARTED TO ACCELETE TO GO AHEAD. THE CAR ITSELF WENT INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT
• Catalytic converter internally failed on April 12th 2023 based on an initial check engine light Part# F2GZ-5E213-F converter assembly under ESP warranty @ 74,408. Returned back for check engine light 22, 888 miles later on 1/31/24 for check engine light . I was advised that although it was determ
• The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was scanned, and a fault code for the catalytic converter was re

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT ON AUG 2 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SHE RESTARTED IT . TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND SHE STARTED TO ACCELETE TO GO AHEAD. THE CAR ITSELF WENT INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

11%

• WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT ON AUG 2 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SHE RESTARTED IT . TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND SHE STARTED TO ACCELETE TO GO AHEAD. THE CAR ITSELF WENT INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT
• JULY 25, 2018: UPON STARTING CAR WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING SPOT, DASH LIGHT AND INFO CLUSTERS DID NOT LIGHT UP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, DRIVING AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK OR LIGHT UP. TURNED OFF CAR, RE-STARTED. ALL LIGHTS WORKED, THEN DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWAY IN SU
• The 3rd brake light lens has separated from light assembly while in a drive thru carwash.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

2 complaints

• JULY 25, 2018: UPON STARTING CAR WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING SPOT, DASH LIGHT AND INFO CLUSTERS DID NOT LIGHT UP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, DRIVING AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK OR LIGHT UP. TURNED OFF CAR, RE-STARTED. ALL LIGHTS WORKED, THEN DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWAY IN SU
• Rear overhead break light ripped off while driving down the road.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“JULY 25, 2018: UPON STARTING CAR WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING SPOT, DASH LIGHT AND INFO CLUSTERS DID NOT LIGHT UP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, DRIVING AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK OR LIGHT UP. TURNED OFF CAR, RE-STARTED. ALL LIGHTS WORKED, THEN DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWAY IN SU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR LOOSE SCREWS IN THE DASH BOARD ROLLS AROUND THIS IS GOING IN A CURVE ON HITTING THE BRAKES. PURCHASE THE CAR THE END OF MAY 2018
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V469000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BAYWAY LINCOLN 12333 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77034; (281) 929-6500
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT ON AUG 2 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SHE RESTARTED IT . TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND SHE STARTED TO ACCELETE TO GO AHEAD. THE CAR ITSELF WENT INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT ON AUG 2 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SHE RESTARTED IT . TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND SHE STARTED TO ACCELETE TO GO AHEAD. THE CAR ITSELF WENT INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)