- Safety
- 5
- of 5 stars
- Recalls
- 2
- on record
- MPG
- —
- combined
Open recalls on record
2 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.
Vehicle Summary
2018 Lincoln MKZ
Before You Buy
Safety record at a glance
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- Owner complaints
- 31
- Complaints citing a crash
- 1
These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.
2 Recalls on Record
These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.
- 18V167000high
Steering issue
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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.
Consequence
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
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.
- 23V162000high
Brake system issue
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
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.
NHTSA crash-test ratings
NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ.
Frontal crash
- Driver
- 5 / 5
- Passenger
- 3 / 5
Side crash
- Driver
- 5 / 5
- Passenger
- 5 / 5
- Side pole
- 5 / 5
Rollover
- Rollover risk
- 10.9%
- Dynamic tip
- No Tip
Driver-assistance technologies
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
What the ratings mean
NHTSA gives the 2018 Lincoln MKZ 5 out of 5 stars overall. NHTSA does not publish enough comparable results for this class and year to rank it against peers.
NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.
NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 10.9% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.
Fuel economy & emissions
The EPA holds no fuel-economy record for this model year.
The EPA does not publish a record for every model year.
Consumer complaints
31 owner reports filed with NHTSA.
- 31
- Total
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
Most reported components
- ENGINE18
- OTHER3
- FUEL SYSTEM2
- ELECTRICAL2
- WHEELS/TIRES1
Notable Issues
31 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 1 report involves injuries. 1 report involves a crash.
Most reported problems
Safety timeline
Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ, newest first.
- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation RQ22004
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
- Recall
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation RQ22004
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
- Recall
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.
Specifications & ratings
Specifications
- Body class
- Unknown
- Drive type
- Unknown
- Engine
- 0L 0-cyl
- Fuel type
- Unknown
- Transmission
- Unknown
- Seats
- 0
NHTSA crash ratings
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Explore related
Safety timeline
Full timeline- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation RQ22004
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
- Recall
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation RQ22004
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
- Recall
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.