LincolnMKT2018Overview/lincoln/mkt/2018/base/

2018 Lincoln MKT

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 MKT.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Lincoln MKT is a six-speed automatic SUV delivering EPA figures of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined from a powertrain whose 5.5–5.7-quart oil capacity is serviced with 5W-30 or 5W-20 viscosity fluid. With just seven total owner complaints and two recalls—primarily centered on structure-related issues—this model year lands near the quiet end of the MKT's 2010–2019 complaint history, well removed from the 2013 peak of 69 complaints and only slightly above 2017's low of three. That trajectory suggests the model had largely matured by 2018, making it one of the more settled years for owners even as structural concerns remained the watchpoint.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5-5.7OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length207.5 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4943 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKT of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2010 EcoBoost Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.70 sec355 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5-5.7 of 5W-30 / 5W-20 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 120 degrees ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.9-11.6
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity13.7
Engine Coolant Capacity13.2
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.5-5.7

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: Tighten to 40 Nm
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug120 degrees ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258.0
Rear Wheel Hub258.0
Front Wheel Hub258.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.30-2.45 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.90-8.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 76
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.122; Rear: .394
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 360 degrees, Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 360 degrees, Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

120.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
2180.0 degrees; Side bolts180 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

120.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
2180.0 degrees; Side bolts180 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Lincoln MKT's federal record exhibits a clear maturation arc, with complaint volumes peaking early at 69 in 2013 before declining drastically to single digits by 2016, while recalls similarly peaked at 8 in 2013 before tapering off. The 2018 model year sits securely in this stable, latter phase of the generation, registering just 7 complaints and 2 recalls compared to the 3 complaints and 3 recalls of the preceding 2017 model year. For the 2018 MKT, Structure complaints lead with 3 reports, followed by isolated issues in the fuel/propulsion system and back over prevention, though the data does not specify the root causes for these categories. Furthermore, the 2018 model benefits from zero crash or fire complaints and a decreasing volume of technical service bulletins (63 versus 81 in 2017), indicating that earlier manufacturing quirks were largely resolved. Consequently, the 2018 MKT is a favorable used buy, offering the reliability of a late-generation design without the high complaint and recall volatility that plagued the early production years.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
63
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Structure3
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention1
Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V072000Suspension:RearReported 10/02/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on…

25V827000Structure:BodyReported 01/12/2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. Remedy: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25E08-S12026-06-30Power TrainPowertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
25E08 S12026-04-14Power TrainNEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E08 – Supplement #1 Certain 2016 – 2019…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKT. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 MKT take?

5.5-5.7 of Turbo: 5W-30 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., Non-Turbo: 5W-20 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C945-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 MKT have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MKT get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.