2018 Lincoln Mkx Safety Report
2018 LINCOLN MKX Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Lincoln Mkx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (26) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Lincoln Mkx with 19 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Lincoln Mkx before buying across this generation. |
Lincoln Mkx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Lincoln Mkx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Lincoln Mkx | 45 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Lincoln Mkx | 136 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Lincoln Mkx | 19 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Lincoln Mkx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Lincoln Mkx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues Lincoln onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Lincoln onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention issues Lincoln onlyElectrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Lincoln onlyUnknown Or Other,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
Reliability Score
The 2018 Lincoln Mkx receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles due to faulty service brake hydraulic components. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Third Brake Light The third brake light lens has separated from the light assembly while in a drive-through car wash, causing potential visibility issues. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles due to electrical system issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Overhead Break Light The rear overhead break light has ripped off while driving, potentially affecting visibility. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Lincoln Mkx:
Issues with hydraulic components, including hoses, lines, and fittings, are common.
Separation of the third brake light lens from the assembly is a recurring issue.
Electrical system issues, including alternator/generator/regulator, are reported.
Rip-off of the rear overhead break light is a known issue.
Recall Details for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 April 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended. Vehicles with shorter door striker bolts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components" potentially resulting in the doors opening in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door striker bolts, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C06.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Consequence: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Lincoln Mkx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The 2018 Lincoln MKX Third Brake Light lens cracked off in 3 pieces while going through the automatic car wash dryer on the evening of Friday March 20, 2026. This appears to be an Engineering design issue.
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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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...
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 A RECALL TO MY 2018 LINCOLN MKX VIN [XXX] . IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAMERA F2GZ19G490C IS THE CAMERA LISTED AS THE RE...
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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made awar...
The 3rd brake light lens has separated from light assembly while in a drive thru carwash.
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 not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The cont...
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 cause the CHMSL to fail due to water and salt intrusion. Additionally, the non-diffused LED's are blind...
Rear overhead break light ripped off while driving down the road.
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 retrieved. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance....
Passenger side front wheel fell off the axel.
Subject: Urgent Health Risk Due to Mold in Lincoln MKX & Additional Considerations I'm submitting a formal complaint regarding our Lincoln MKX, purchased in 2018 with an extended warranty valid through 2026. A significant water leak has resulted in extensive mold and mildew buildup, posing severe health risks, particularly to my immunocompromised wife. Despite minimal use of the vehicle, exacerba...
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 determined a part failure of catalytic converter , that it was my responsibility to pay for 2 catalytic co...
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 burning smell still would happen just the same. Then they checked to see if anything(such as plastic or a...
The contact owned a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while parked at an inclined position, the vehicle rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
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
Vehicle (SUV) floor board and truck had standing water from unknown source. Suspect rear hatch and/or glass roof design allows for environmental contamination to enter. Water travels down to floor and pools. For example, spare tire was found to be submerged. Rear seat and trunk carpeting were moist (saturated) to the touch. Concern: If water in the vehicle is undetected and is allowed to pool fo...
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 CONSUMER STATED THE CRPET WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPLAINED INTERRUPTIONS IN CERTAIN ELECTRICAL COMPON...
Both right and left side view mirrors folded in on their own without being commanded to while the vehicle was being driven down the highway. Key fob was stowed and secure so it did not trigger the system. Was unable to adjust the mirrors back out until the vehicle was shutdown and restarted. Vehicle has 30,000 miles on it and this never happened before!
RECALL WAS IDENTIFIED IN 08/10/2020 BUT YET TO BE FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, RECALL #20S42
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) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER E...
Showing 20 of 26 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Lincoln Mkx
Has the 2018 LINCOLN MKX been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 LINCOLN MKX has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 LINCOLN MKX have?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKX has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 LINCOLN MKX involve unknown or other (5 complaints), service brakes, hydraulic (3 complaints), air bags (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,back over prevention, electrical system, unknown or other,service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2018 LINCOLN MKX have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2018 LINCOLN MKX out of 26 total complaints (7.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 LINCOLN MKX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 LINCOLN MKX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 LINCOLN MKX is acceptable with caveats. It has 26 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 LINCOLN MKX are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (3 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
Be aware of potential service brake hydraulic issues and third brake light separation. Regular inspections are recommended. The 2018 LINCOLN MKX has 26 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKX receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 26 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes, Hydraulic and Third Brake Light.
What are the known issues with the 2018 LINCOLN MKX?
Known issues with the 2018 LINCOLN MKX include: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Third Brake Light, Electrical System, Rear Overhead Break Light. These are based on patterns found across 26 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Yes, there are recalls for hydraulic service brakes and third brake light issues.
What are the common electrical system issues with the 2018 Lincoln MKX?
Common issues include alternator/generator/regulator problems.
Can you explain the third brake light issue?
The third brake light lens has separated from the light assembly while in a drive-through car wash, causing potential visibility issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential service brake hydraulic issues and third brake light separation. Regular inspections are recommended.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Lincoln Mkx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx. The data includes 26 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Lincoln Mkx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16