AI Damage2018 Lincoln MKZ: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Lincoln MKZ filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 67 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 67
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 36% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 6 Lane departure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 13 complaints (36% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 24 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I had a accident almost a year ago if not longer. I hit a deer on the freeway they couldn’t understand why my airbags didn’t deploy. They say the bar was cracked in two different spots that makes the airbag deploy. Luckily my car wasn’t total for that reason. But I always wondered why my airbags didn’t deploy ?
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.
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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.
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.
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.
Scanned codes P0741, P1450, P1744, & P2196. Hard starts after fuel refills.
The car had an internal transmission failure and caused most of the transmission fluid to leak out between inspections. Upon removing the cv axle on driver’s side, the seal was fine and replaced along with cv axle. The fluid drained and was only about half a liter (needs about 4.5L normally).
This can easily lead to transmission failure and the risk is exponential due to it happening regardless of where you are on the road with the unknown weather and road conditions. Miles reflected is when the leak was discovered after the noises. 97,839 miles.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,004 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MKZ has 53 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 36, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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 …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
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…
- Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
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…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
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. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- 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…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
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…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or…
In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2018-2019 Edge/Continental, 2018 MKX and 2019 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 1-Aug-2019 and…
Some 2018-2019 Edge/Continental, 2018 MKX and 2019 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 1-Aug-2019 and 2018-2019 Fusion/MKZ vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2019 equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost engine…
- Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied
When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ…
Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Vehicles Front Brake Flexible Hose Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Parts Requirements / Ordering…
NHTSA lists 67 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), overheating, coolant loss (22%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA lists 67 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Lincoln MKZ from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.