Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2018 Lincoln MKX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2018 Lincoln MKX has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 31 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V544000 Rear Brake Hose May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V469000 Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V414000 Damaged Wiring May Cause Air Bag Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V612000 Incorrect Length of Door Striker Bolts/FMVSS 206 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V548000 Alternator and Starter Cables may be Loose NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 8 complaints
- Electrical System 5 complaints
- Service Brakes 4 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 complaints
- Engine 3 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
Of the 31 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 31 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,200–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2018 Lincoln MKX experiences moderate reliability issues, primarily with its braking system and electrical components. Frequent recalls target these areas, but other components generally perform acceptably. This mix of specific issues and overall stable performance justifies an average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| brake hose | 30,000–50,000 miles | $300–$500 | very common |
| alternator | 50,000–70,000 miles | $400–$700 | common |
| power seats | 60,000–80,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
| door latch system | 40,000–60,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Coolant system flush
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Soft brake pedal feel
- Electrical system warning lights
- Unusual sound when adjusting seats
- Doors not securely closing
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2018 Lincoln MKX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.