Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKZ vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln MKZ and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln MKZ vs FORD F 150: The MKZ averaged 87.9 complaints per year and 66 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year and 151 recalls. Both have safety-related issues, but the F-150's higher volume means more reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKZ or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKZ
The Lincoln MKZ is a midsize luxury sedan that averaged about 88 complaints per year over a decade, with 66 recalls. Owners frequently report air bag deployment failures, engine overheating or sudden failure, and steering wobble or lock-up. While the overall complaint count is lower than the F-150's, the MKZ still has notable safety-related issues that a used-car buyer should investigate.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generated an average of 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, along with 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even rear window shattering. Its high volume of complaints reflects both its popularity and a wide range of recurring problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKZ | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 879 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 54 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 87.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln MKZ
- 01AIR BAGS180
- 02ENGINE141
- 03STEERING123
- 04SERVICE BRAKES108
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM95
Owners report air bags failing to deploy in crashes, sometimes due to a cracked deployment bar. This is a critical safety concern because it can leave occupants unprotected in a frontal impact.
Complaints include sudden catastrophic engine failure, overheating, and rough running, as well as white smoke from the exhaust. These symptoms can leave the car inoperable and lead to expensive repairs.
Drivers describe the steering wheel wobbling or moving back and forth, and in some cases the steering wheel and wheels getting stuck. This can make the car difficult to control, especially at low speeds or during turns.
Reports include brakes locking up at low speeds with the ABS warning light flashing. This can cause sudden, unexpected stops and increases the risk of a collision.
“I had a accident almost a year ago if not longer. I hit a deer on the freeway they couldn’t understand why my airbags didn’t deploy. They say the bar was cracked in two different spots that makes the airbag deploy. Luckily my car wasn’t total for that reason.…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, making the truck unreliable for daily driving.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting the power train, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical gremlins can leave the truck stranded or in reduced-power mode.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward shortly after using the defroster, likely due to a short. This is a surprising and potentially dangerous failure that could happen without warning.
Although no sample complaint text is provided, this is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Buyers should check for lighting malfunctions, which can affect visibility and safety.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln MKZ — 66 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
The risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. 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.
The risk: A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 1…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKZ or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKZ has far fewer complaints per year (about 88) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but both have serious safety-related issues. In practice, the MKZ may be easier to live with in terms of overall complaint volume, but the F-150's problems are more frequently reported and can be more disruptive.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 13 times more complaints per year than the Lincoln MKZ, but it also sells in much higher volumes.
- The MKZ's top complaint areas are air bags, engine, and steering, while the F-150's are power train, electrical, and unknown/other.
- F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss; MKZ owners report air bag non-deployment and steering lock-up.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 66 for the MKZ, indicating more frequent safety-related fixes.
- Check for any history of air bag deployment or warning lights, and ask if the air bag system has been inspected for cracked deployment bars.
- Listen for engine overheating, rough idle, or white smoke from the exhaust, which could indicate a failing engine.
- Test drive the truck at highway speeds and watch for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in gear, which points to transmission or lead frame issues.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of cracking or previous replacement, as some owners reported the window shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the F-150's transmission and electrical recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the MKZ's air bags, engine, and steering, and the F-150's transmission and electrical system.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or changes in steering and braking feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and engine coolant on the MKZ.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln MKZ | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 44 |
| 2019 | 20 | 52 |
| 2018 | 35 | 79 |
| 2017 | 138 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln MKZ or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKZ vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln MKZ total complaints
- 879
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln MKZ total recalls
- 66
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln MKZ avg complaints/year
- 87.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKZ
- Lincoln MKZ top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN