Lincoln MKZ reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,012 complaints about the Lincoln MKZ with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and engine. Lincoln has filed 1 warranty extension and 2 service campaigns for it, and there are 32 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Lincoln MKZ? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the MKZ a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,012
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 1
- Filed by Lincoln
- Service campaigns
- 2
- Filed by Lincoln
- Safety recalls
- 32
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the MKZ with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | Steering (50%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 21 | Engine (38%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 35 | Engine (34%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 141 | Engine (54%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 64 | Steering (19%) | 6 | 1 |
| 2015 | 83 | Electrical system (19%) | 10 | 0 |
| 2014 | 97 | Steering (26%) | 13 | 1 |
| 2013 | 109 | Electrical system (16%) | 12 | 1 |
| 2012 | 146 | Airbags (47%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 145 | Airbags (46%) | 5 | 2 |
| 2010 | 169 | Airbags (57%) | 7 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single MKZ model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Lincoln
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Lincoln filed with NHTSA for the MKZ, in its own words. A warranty extension means Lincoln pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Electrical system· model years 2011–2014
Ford/lincoln: There is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of ABS speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for PCM reprogramming. Model 2011-14 F-super duty, escape, taurus, fusion, mkt, mkz.
- Service campaignMar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2016
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignMar 2015· Exterior lights· model years 2010–2011
Ford 2010-2011 Milan and mkz vehicles: Customer satisfaction program regarding tail lamp assembly extended coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles warranty.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every MKZ model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags246 (24%)
- Engine148 (15%)
- Steering104 (10%)
- Electrical system103 (10%)
- Brakes95 (9%)
- Other or unspecified84 (8%)
- Transmission and drivetrain67 (7%)
- Body and structure40 (4%)
Safety recalls
32 recalls cover at least one MKZ model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute…
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever…
In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.
On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
And 17 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ22004Recall query· opened Aug 2022, closed Mar 2023· Brakes· model years 2013–2018
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Led to recall 23V162000.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2012–2016
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013–2016
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- EA15002Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2015, closed Nov 2015· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 15V246000.
- PE14030Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2014, closed Sep 2015· Steering· model years 2010–2012
Electric power steering failure
Led to recall 15V340000.
- EA12009Engineering analysis· opened Dec 2012, closed Jun 2014· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2010–2011
Floor mat interference with accelerator
Led to recall 14E028000.
- PE10019Preliminary evaluation· opened May 2010, closed Jan 2013· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2010
Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 Lincoln MKZ has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Lincoln MKZ reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,012 owner complaints, 1 warranty extension and 2 service campaigns Lincoln filed, and 32 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (169), 2012 (146), 2011 (145). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Lincoln MKZ?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (24%), engine (15%), steering (10%). Lincoln has filed 1 warranty extension covering the MKZ, listed on this page.
Which MKZ model years have the most complaints?
2010 (169), 2012 (146), 2011 (145). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the MKZ with each other rather than with other models.
Has Lincoln extended the warranty on the MKZ?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2011–2014). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a MKZ?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 32 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.