2018 Lincoln Mkz Safety Report
2018 LINCOLN MKZ Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. 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 | Moderate (2) | 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 | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Lincoln Mkz with 2 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Lincoln Mkz before buying across this generation. |
Lincoln Mkz 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 Mkz 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Lincoln Mkz | 13 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Lincoln Mkz | 120 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Lincoln Mkz | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Lincoln Mkz | 59 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Lincoln Mkz | 72 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Lincoln Mkz Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Lincoln Mkz, 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.
Power Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Lincoln onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Lincoln onlyPower Train,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Lincoln onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Lincoln onlyWheels
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
Reliability Score
The 2018 Lincoln Mkz receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
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 Mkz
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Coolant intrusion into cylinders and engine overheating have been reported, particularly in vehicles with less than 50,000 miles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Fluid Leaks Transmission fluid leaks have caused transmission failures, leading to loud noises and internal transmission failures. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes And Hydraulic Components Recalled due to hose and fitting issues, which can affect braking performance and safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel/Handle Bar Problems with the steering wheel/handle bar have been reported, affecting driving control. |
Medium | Rare | 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 Mkz:
Transmission issues, including fluid leaks and internal failures, are a common problem.
Engine problems, such as coolant intrusion and overheating, are frequently reported.
Brake system issues, including hydraulic component problems, are a recurring issue.
Steering wheel/handle bar problems have been noted, affecting driving control.
Recall Details for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz by NHTSA:
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Lincoln Mkz with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The car had an internal transmission failure and caused most of the transmission fluid to leak out between inspections. Upon removing the cv axle on driver’s side, the seal was fine and replaced along with cv axle. The fluid drained and was only about half a liter (needs about 4.5L normally). After servicing the transmission fluid, the dealership did their assessment and came to the following con...
Wheel lug nuts get swollen due to the material used causing problems when the wheels need to be removed. I was lucky to not be in an emergency situation needing to change a wheel out. This could have easily happened and I would have been unable to change a wheel on the side of the road. I went to Costco to get my tires changed and they refused to take the wheels off because the wheel lug nuts were...
Car only has 97K miles and the transmission fluid has been leaking for some time causing loud noises from the transmission which took time to locate. The transmission leaked fluid and only had about half a liter of fluid when it should be around 4.5 liters. The fluid leaked from the transmission on the driver cv axle seal. The car shows no lights on dash of any kind. I discovered the leak after th...
Check engine light came on. Error code 0302 and 0316 on ODB at dealer. Was advised that engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 which cause the vehicle to overheat. Engine has 3200 miles on it. Safety hazard due to engine seizing at high speed and causing an accident due to loss of power. Also possible engine fire due to loss of coolant/overheating.
Coolant Intrusion of Cylinder 3, car has less than 50,000 miles total and has been very well taken care of. Has had over a gallon of coolant added within the month of Aug
My 2018 Lincoln MKZ with the 2.0 Ecoboost Engine incurred premature engine failure at ONLY 40k miles. My safety as well as other drivers' safety at risk due to EcoBoost Engine in certain model year 2013-2019 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have an inherent design defect which makes them predisposed to leak coolant, including allowing the coolant to seep into the engine cylinder, which causes overheatin...
I own a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The vehicle Engine overheating warnings came up, and I took the car to the dealership. They informed that the Lincoln MKZ vehicle had a frequent problem with coolant leaking into the engine due to faulty power train assembly. The dealer has seen and repaired hundreds of vehicles with this problem. Lincoln company denies responsibility for this manufacturing defect. The ve...
Initially when buying the vehicle in 2021, it had 30k miles. Car continued to give me a "cylinder 2 misfire code" after numerous trips to different garages and then the car beginning to start up rough and anti freeze missing i came across a "service bulletin" regarding it being a faulty ring in the engine. I took the vehicle to Ford and they replaced the engine. My car just hit 100k miles All of t...
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the engine light illuminated. While the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion...
I have been told by a ford mechanic on 7.11.2024, 6 weeks before buying the car that there is coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 and the only fix to this would be to replace the long block that cost a little over 8k, some how some way this vehicle dont have any recalls about this well known issue. This in no way should be on the customer due to a defect by Ford engine in there vehicles.
Upon driving north on rt. 95 in GA our pan Aramaic moonroof unexpectedly exploded. There was no apparent reason. No debris was present and environmental conditions were not extreme. ( sunny day about 72 degrees F) . The explosion was very loud and alarming creating a risk of losing control of the vehicle. Bodily injury could have resulted if the moon roof cover was open and chards of glass were...
I own a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. Starting the second week in January I started to notice a strange smell in the cabin of my car and outside of my car. I told my husband that I was smelling something strange, and he noticed that the exhaust was a billowy white smoke. My husband noticed that this was not a good sign. We also noticed that my Lincoln app was saying there was a misfire in cylinder 2. My husba...
Torque converter stuck off pcm code 6f35 transmission vin look up doesn't show recall but it has same transmission installed with the same problem as 2017 model
2018 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP.
On 10/20/2022 while driving the sun roof exploded. Nothing hit the roof. The glass shatter all around the perimeter of the roof. The sound was like a shot gun blast next to your ears. Fortunately, the shattering glass did not cause a wreck or injury. The Ford garages I called stated I would have to pay for the damage. It seems this is not an uncommon occurance.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brakes locked up. The ABS warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
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.
I had a accident almost a year ago if not longer. I hit a deer on the freeway they couldn’t understand why my airbags didn’t deploy. They say the bar was cracked in two different spots that makes the airbag deploy. Luckily my car wasn’t total for that reason. But I always wondered why my airbags didn’t deploy ? I thought I should let you know that .
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).
Showing 20 of 26 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Opened 2022-08-08 · Closed 2023-03-24
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identifi...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
Has the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ has 2 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 MKZ have?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKZ has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKZ received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ involve power train (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints), power train,engine (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, engine and engine cooling, wheels.
How many crash reports does the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ out of 26 total complaints (3.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ is generally recommended. It has 26 complaints, 2 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 MKZ?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ are: 1. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 2. ENGINE (4 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (2 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
Be cautious of potential engine and transmission issues, especially with low mileage vehicles. Check for recalls and address any warning lights promptly. The 2018 LINCOLN MKZ has 26 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
The 2018 LINCOLN MKZ receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 26 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Transmission Fluid Leaks.
What are the known issues with the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ?
Known issues with the 2018 LINCOLN MKZ include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Transmission Fluid Leaks, Service Brakes and Hydraulic Components, Steering Wheel/Handle Bar. These are based on patterns found across 26 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Common issues include engine and transmission problems, as well as hydraulic brake and steering issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Yes, there are recalls for hydraulic brake and steering issues, and engine cooling problems.
What should I do if I notice unusual smells or noises in my 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Have the vehicle inspected by a professional to identify and address any potential issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential engine and transmission issues, especially with low mileage vehicles. Check for recalls and address any warning lights promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Lincoln Mkz
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. The data includes 26 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Lincoln Mkz an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 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