← New search

2018 Lincoln Mkx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Lincoln Mkx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 75.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Mkx years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2026
Engine

Faulty catalytic converters. Ford has a CSP for the 2018 Lincoln mkx 3.7L engine and only included police driven Mkx's which is totally unfair when they're well aware that Faulty/failing emissions catalytic converters were installed on all of them and they fail and produce p0430 codes regardless of driving habits, I've never dri…

Read full complaint

Faulty catalytic converters. Ford has a CSP for the 2018 Lincoln mkx 3.7L engine and only included police driven Mkx's which is totally unfair when they're well aware that Faulty/failing emissions catalytic converters were installed on all of them and they fail and produce p0430 codes regardless of driving habits, I've never driven any of my vehicles harshly and maintain my vehicles, yet since I've owned this 2018 mkx since September of 2024, the rear catalytic converter had to be replaced and now the front catalytic converter is giving the same p0430 permanent code. Its bias of Ford to only extend police vehicles coverage and not regular consumers knowing that this emissions part is faulty because catalytic converters don't normally fail prematurely unless the parts are faulty. The original owner maintained this vehicle before me and I've maintained it since I've owned it, yet the catalytic converter has been replaced 3 times (carfax) which proves its Faulty. My 2005 Lincoln aviator had 303,000 miles before the engine blew, yet the catalytic converter had never been changed and I owned it for 15 years. I'd like an explanation from Ford as to why my 2018 Lincoln mkx 3.7L engine vehicle wasn't included in the CSP19M01. Ive owned a ford Explorer, Lincoln navigator and aviator that were built ford tough but this Lincoln mkx seems to be worse than a BMW. Thanking you in advance for your timely response. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11730994

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2026
Engine

My vehicle has had emissions vehicle since before I owned it up to now. The catalytic converter has been replaced 4 times which is unheard of. Its presently giving the same codes/issues. The last catalytic converter replacement was November of 2024. It has to be a computer programming issue as my mechanic express. Im asking tha…

Read full complaint

My vehicle has had emissions vehicle since before I owned it up to now. The catalytic converter has been replaced 4 times which is unheard of. Its presently giving the same codes/issues. The last catalytic converter replacement was November of 2024. It has to be a computer programming issue as my mechanic express. Im asking that this be looked into by Ford. I've owned 1973 Ford Pinto as a teenager, a 1998 Ford Explorer, 2000 Lincoln navigator, 2005 Lincoln aviator and now this 2018 Lincoln mkx has been the only vehicle with this type of issue. Maintenance records can prove this vehicle has properly been maintained before and during my ownership. I only use Shell, sunoco and other top tier 87 octane gasoline in this vehicle and have records of that too. P0430 code has come back on even after replacing the purge valve twice, 2025 and last month 2026, then code p0430 came back stating catalytic converter smh.

NHTSA ODI #11729226

7,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)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 AGAIN. SHE CALLED A TOWTRUCK …

Read full complaint

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 AGAIN. SHE CALLED A TOWTRUCK TO TAKE IT TO OUR DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM SO INSTALLED AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE TO RECORD ANOTHER INCIDENT. IT THEN HAPPENDED WHEN I WAS DRIVING, ONLY 2 DAYS AFTER WE PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER. I WAS DRIVING ON A 50 MPH ROAD WHEN THE "ENGINE HAS SHUTDOWN" FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL I GOT IT RESTARTED AND TRIED TO CONTINUE DRIVING.ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT FAULT CODES APPEARED AND WE TOOK CELL PHOTOS OF EACH CODE. IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER AND THIS TIME ALL SYSTEMS SHUT OFF. NO LIGHTS NO POWER ON ENGINE START. TOTALLY DEAD I PUSHED ALL THE SHIFT BUTTONS AND AFTER A MINUTE IT RESTARTED. AT THIS POINT WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER HAS HAD IT ANOTHER 10 DAYS AND CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. FOR OUR SAFETY WE REFUSE TO TAKE IT BACK WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING SOLVED AND ARE NOW COMPLAINING DIRECTLY TO LINCOLN

NHTSA ODI #11123198

Official recalls

5

25V544000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 22, 2025

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 & remedy

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 August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

20V469000 · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 10, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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.

20V414000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 17, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

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.

Air Bags

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.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

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.

18V612000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 11, 2018

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 & remedy

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.

18V548000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator; Electrical System:starter Assembly

Aug 20, 2018

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:starter Assembly

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.

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.