2018 Lincoln MKZ: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 2 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
31
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
38.7
Severity index
Severity index 38.7 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 10 | 32.3% |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 | 29.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 | 12.9% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | 6.5% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | 6.5% |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 2 | 6.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | 6.5% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 3.2% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 10 of 31 complaints (32.3%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 6 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.6x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V167000 | 12/03/2018 | STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 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. |
| 23V162000 | 10/03/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.