2018 Lincoln Mkz: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Lincoln Mkz? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 26 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2018 Lincoln Mkz Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2018 Lincoln Mkz trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2018 Lincoln Mkz Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2018 Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Lincoln Mkz has 26 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- Mkz
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 26
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 28
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Lincoln Mkz Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Lincoln Mkz?
The 2018 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Lincoln Mkz
Inspection Focus
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Check headlight and taillight functionality.
Before You Close the Deal
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Check headlight and taillight functionality.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Lincoln Mkz, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ, issues are concentrated in the engine and transmission/drivetrain. There is one crash-related complaint, but overall confidence is low due to the small sample size.
- Engine problems account for 9 of 26 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues account for 8 complaints.
- Headlight/taillight failures and lane departure issues each have 2 complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
All 2018 Lincoln Mkz Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.…
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 …
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 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 ca…
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 th…
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 repa…
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…
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 repaire…
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 d…
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 we…
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 lo…
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 t…
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 call…
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 n…
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 manufactu…
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 wondere…
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 …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz.
2018 Lincoln Mkz Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Lincoln Mkz Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Lincoln Mkz reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 26 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lincoln Mkz?▾
#1: Engine Problems (9 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (8 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Lincoln Mkz?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Lincoln Mkz?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Lincoln Mkz, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 26 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Lincoln Mkz have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Lincoln Mkz. A major recall area is STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Lincoln Mkz?▾
The 2018 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Mkz reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Lincoln Mkz based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.