2018 Lincoln MKZ buying guide

A data-driven checklist for buying a used 2018 Lincoln MKZ, built from 31 owner complaints, 2 recall campaigns, 137 service bulletins and federal safety records — not opinions.

Know before you buy

2 recall campaigns affect this model year. Check each one and confirm the repairs were done — recall work is free at any authorized dealer.
Main problem areas: engine (10), power train (9), electrical system (2), engine and engine cooling (2), exterior lighting (2).
Symptoms owners describe: check engine light (5), misfire / rough idle (5). Test-drive with these in mind.
1 federal investigations have named this model year — read what they cover.
Fuel economy: 20–40 MPG combined (EPA; engines: 2L 4-cyl, 3L 6-cyl).

Before you hand over money

Run the VIN through our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact build.
Check open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall that was never fixed is a free repair you can claim.
Get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the problem areas listed above.

This guide is generated from official NHTSA, EPA and FARS records. Complaints are unverified owner reports and raw counts are not adjusted for sales volume.