The 2018 Lincoln MKX has 30 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 7 complaints (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 MKX?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
5 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2018 Lincoln MKX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 7 owner reports
· ~$450 to fix
electrical — 4 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
engine — 3 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2018 MKX· brakes
The contact's husband 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 not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated…
The rear view camera is intermittent. The camera listed for replacement is F2GZ19G490C. That was a recall item listed for the problem that we are having . It is intermittent and is a safety hazard as indicated in the LINCOLN MKX 2015 THRU 2019. WHY IS IT INDICATED AS NOT HAVING…
2018 Lincoln mkx. Consumer writes in regards to airbag malfunction safety recall. The consumer stated the vehicle was purchased in august of 2018, with a rectangular hole cut into the carpet. The hole was located under the front passenger seat exposing the wiring harness. The…
Had a problem with your 2018 Lincoln MKX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Lincoln MKX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
The 2018 Lincoln MKX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Lincoln MKX a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 30 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 7 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 30 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Lincoln/MKX.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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