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2018 Lincoln MKX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Lincoln MKX
Pictured: Lincoln MKX 2.7T AWD Reserve U540 White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat (8) (cropped). Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
Length
190.2 in
Curb weight
4,387 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 20% below the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Lincoln MKX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.7L 6-cyl turbo and 3.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,387 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 20% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 MKX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 MKX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV190.2 in76 in66.1 in112.2 in65 / 64.6 in4,387 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKX FWD2.7L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20-20%$3,350444
MKX FWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-20%$3,350440
MKX AWD2.7L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-18%$3,550467
MKX AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-18%$3,550471
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.9 MPG2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Lincoln MKX SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
2018 Lincoln MKX SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2018 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Lincoln MKX (this car)20 MPG★★★★★5
2018 Porsche Cayenne22 MPGNot rated1
2018 BMW X525 MPG★★★★★5
2018 BMW X325 MPGNot rated11
2018 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated2
2018 Volvo XC9027 MPGNot rated3
2018 Audi Q721 MPG★★★★★3

Recalls (5)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Aug 22, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V544000 · 499,129 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Service Brakes · Aug 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V469000 · 488,594 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 17, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V414000 · 19,299 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Sep 11, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V612000 · 503 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door striker bolts, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C06.
Electrical System › Starter Assembly · Aug 20, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V548000 · 87 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cables to verify that they are properly secured, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S25.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Lincoln MKX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

31Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
19,827 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other8
Electrical System5
Service Brakes4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Engine3
Exterior Lighting3
Wheels2
Air Bags2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/09: 118/10: 119/09: 119/10: 120/06: 121/01: 121/04: 121/06: 121/10: 122/04: 123/01: 123/03: 224/02: 124/03: 125/01: 125/04: 125/09: 325/11: 125/12: 226/03: 226/04: 226/06: 126/08: 126/09: 118/0919/1021/0422/0424/0225/0425/1226/06max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Lincoln MKX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Service Brakes, Hydraulic — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,827 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Lincoln MKX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other MKX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2017 MKX20190.2 in★★★★★552
2016 MKX20190.2 in★★★★★7156
2015 MKX20186.6 in★★★★★019
2014 MKX21186.6 in★★★★★133
2013 MKX21186.6 inNot rated1152
2012 MKX21187.4 inNot rated175
2011 MKX21187.4 inNot rated3130
2010 MKX20187 inNot rated698
2009 MKX19187 inNot rated659
2008 MKX19187 inNot rated5220
2007 MKX19187 inNot rated5234

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →