2018 Lincoln MKZ problems and recalls

Owners filed 13 complaints on the 2018 Lincoln MKZ in the last three full years, out of 32 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

32
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
55.3
Severity index

Severity index 55.3 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 55.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 10 complaints (31.2%)10 31%Power TrainPower Train: 9 complaints (28.1%)9 28%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 4 complaints (12.5%)4 12%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 1 complaints (3.1%)1 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1031.2%
POWER TRAIN928.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER412.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING26.2%
LANE DEPARTURE26.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13.1%

Complaints filed per year

0472019: 42020: 22021: 12022: 52023: 12024: 52025: 72026: 7 (partial year)19202122232425726
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20194
20202
20211
20225
20231
20245
20257
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (13 against 8).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V16700012/03/2018STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARFord 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.
23V16200010/03/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Other Lincoln MKZ model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 8 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-21. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.