2018 LINCOLN MKX Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 LINCOLN MKX has 5 complaints and 16 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report the passenger side front wheel falling off the axle. Other complaints include intermittent check engine warnings related to the catalytic converter and a rear overhead brake light detaching while driving.
Common Issues
- Front wheel detachment. Multiple reports of the passenger side front wheel falling off the axle while driving.
- Check engine warning. Intermittent illumination of the check engine light linked to a fault code for the catalytic converter at approximately 75,000 miles.
- Rear brake light failure. The rear overhead brake light was reported to have ripped off while the vehicle was in motion.
The 2018 LINCOLN MKX has 16 recalls affecting various systems including brakes, seats, electrical components, and door locks. These recalls address safety risks such as brake fluid leaks, air bag malfunctions, electrical fire hazards, and door latch failures.
Recalls
- Rear brake jounce hose. NHTSA recall 25V544000 affects 499,129 vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid, increasing stopping distance and crash risk. A remedy is under development with owner notifications begun in September 2025.
- Front seat power adjust. Recall 20V414000 covers 19,299 vehicles. The 16-way electric tilt seat cushion frame may damage the wire harness, causing unintended air bag deployment or failure to deploy. Dealers install protective tape and repair wiring free of charge.
- Front brake hoses. Recall 20V469000 involves 488,594 vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely, causing brake fluid leaks that increase stopping distances. Dealers replace the hoses with updated versions at no cost.
- Starter and alternator cables. Recall 18V548000 affects 87 vehicles. Improperly secured power supply cables at the starter and alternator may cause electrical arcs, increasing fire risk. Dealers inspect and secure cables free of charge.
- Door striker bolts. Recall 18V612000 impacts 503 vehicles. The door striker bolts may be shorter than intended, risking door opening in a crash. Dealers replace the bolts free of charge.
Owners confronting repeated repairs or unresolved safety recalls may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a qualified attorney can help determine available options when facing persistent defects or safety concerns.
2018 LINCOLN MKX Summary
2018
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
1007612
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 LINCOLN MKX
499129 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
19299 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
488594 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Risk: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
503 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles may have door striker bolts that are shorter than intended. Vehicles with shorter door striker bolts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components" potentially resulting in the doors opening in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the doors open in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
87 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, 2019 Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The power supply cables at the starter and the alternator may not have been properly secured, possibly resulting in an electrical arc.
Risk: An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.
Complaints
2018 LINCOLN MKX
ID: 2127737EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear overhead break light ripped off while driving down the road.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
ID: 2086513ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was scanned, and a fault code for the catalytic converter was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
ID: 2056860UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Passenger side front wheel fell off the axel.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
ID: 2056859WHEELS
Passenger side front wheel fell off the axel.
2018 LINCOLN MKX
ID: 2056858STEERING
Passenger side front wheel fell off the axel.