2018 Lincoln Mkz Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2018 Lincoln Mkz, and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2018 Lincoln Mkz
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
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.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
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.
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.
35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Lincoln Mkz have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 42,290 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Head gasket and long block. I was at risk along with the public. I was driving on [XXX] when the car suddenly started to overheat and would not accelerate anymore. The problem was diagnosed today the”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 25, 2026 · Engine
“I recently have been losing antifreeze, The car stared to overheat, the P303 engine code came on. The car hasn't been inspected yet but my mechanic said it's a sign of a long or short block issue. I'v”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 2026 · Unknown or other
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ (MKZ AWD, MKZ FWD, MKZ Hybrid FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–40 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–41 / 26–38 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
Compare Lincoln Mkz model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Lincoln Mkz model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Lincoln Mkz | 4 | 0 |
| 2007 Lincoln Mkz | 4 | 259 |
| 2008 Lincoln Mkz | 4 | 281 |
| 2009 Lincoln Mkz | 6 | 114 |
| 2010 Lincoln Mkz | 7 | 169 |
| 2011 Lincoln Mkz | 5 | 145 |
| 2012 Lincoln Mkz | 5 | 146 |
| 2013 Lincoln Mkz | 12 | 109 |
| 2014 Lincoln Mkz | 13 | 97 |
| 2015 Lincoln Mkz | 10 | 83 |
| 2016 Lincoln Mkz | 6 | 64 |
| 2017 Lincoln Mkz | 4 | 141 |
| 2018 Lincoln Mkz | 2 | 35 |
| 2019 Lincoln Mkz | 1 | 20 |
| 2020 Lincoln Mkz | 1 | 2 |
Checking a specific 2018 Lincoln Mkz
How do I know if my 2018 Lincoln Mkz has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2018 Lincoln Mkz; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lincoln dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V167000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Lincoln models
- Town Car3,308 complaints
- Continental1,678 complaints
- Mkx1,417 complaints
- Navigator1,353 complaints
- LS982 complaints
- Mark VIII826 complaints
- Mkc599 complaints
- Aviator488 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.