2018 Lincoln Mkz problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (9) · Engine (9) · Engine And Engine Cooling (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Mkz model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2023-03-10 · campaign 23V162000 · 1,280,726 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2018-03-12 · campaign 18V167000 · 1,301,986 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (137)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2165 to update the tsb service procedure. some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit various sync performance related concerns including but not limited to: display operation concerns navigation inoperative voice recognition concerns phone co
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Unknown Or Other 2024-11-27 · SSM 53174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or a 3.0l gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs. various vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or a 3.0l gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-27 · TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 21-2175 to update the tsb service procedure. some 2016 mks, 2016-2017 navigator, 2016-2018 f-150/focus/c-max/edge/fiesta/mkx/transit connect/mustang, 2017-2018 continental/fusion/mkz, 2017-2019 explorer, 2016-2019 escape/mkc/flex/mkt/taurus/transit/expedition/f-super duty
Engine And Engine Cooling 2024-03-06 · SSM 52335 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2015-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may coll
Showing the 6 most recent of 137 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Engine“around end of may or beginning of june 2026 a check engine light came on in our 2018 mkz. the code showed cylinder 3 misfire. we called our local ford dealership for diagnosis. we almost didn't get there as it started to overheat on the way. once at ford they diagnosed it with coolant intrusion in cylinder 3. they said this was a known issue and ne…”
2026-09-25 · Engine“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 coolant is leaking into cylinder 3. the check engine light came on and gave me p303 for a code. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of inform…”
2026-09-23 · Unknown Or Other“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've been looking the problem up. it seems to be a problem with many of these cars, a known issue with the card from 2017-2020.…”
2026-09-14 · Engine“while driving, the car stalled. i could not restart it. it was towed to lincoln dealer and determined that coolant had leaked into the cylinders and seized the engine. this is a known defect on the ford ecoboost engine. fully aware of the defect, ford redesigned the engine in 2019 for later models. i am now faced with the huge expense of having li…”
2026-08-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 lincoln mkz. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the engine overheated. the contact pulled over and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. the contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was coolant…”
2026-07-06 · Engine“the engine light came on. the car suddenly wouldn’t go past 35 mph . thankfully i was on a local road. i had it towed to the dealer and was told that the engine needed to be replaced because coolant leaked into the engine. there were no warning lights except the day of . the car did not give any indication of a leak. nor was it running hot. everyt…”
2026-07-01 · Power Train“scanned codes p0741, p1450, p1744, & p2196. check the transmission fluid level and condition. no fluid drained from hole, added a little fluid, and retrieved a sample of the fluid. the fluid is very dark. identifix states, if the fluid smells or has the appearance of being black due to internal clutch slippage, the transmission should be replaced o…”
2026-07-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System“scanned codes p0741, p1450, p1744, & p2196. hard starts after fuel refills.…”
2026-06-24 · Engine“my 2018 lincoln mkz began misfiring on startups. eventually the check engine light came on with a code of p0302. about a week later while driving, the engine temp gauge reached the hottest temp reading on the gauge. i had to immediately pull over. upon pulling over i immediately checked the coolant level in the overflow reservoir and it was empty. …”
2026-06-14 · Unknown Or Other“my check engine light came on, i took my car to the dealership that i have using for eight years with less than 38k miles on it and i was told by the service technician who gave the diagnose as, there was coolant in the cylinder where the spark plug #3 is housed. he stated that the car is misfiring and i was told i needed to get an new engine repl…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.