Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKZ vs Toyota Camry
How the Lincoln MKZ and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The MKZ averaged 87.9 complaints per year with 66 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The MKZ had 34 injuries and 0 deaths; the Camry had 158 injuries and 1 death. Both have safety-related owner reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKZ or Toyota Camry 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. With 54 crash-related complaints and 34 injuries, the MKZ demands careful inspection of safety systems before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan that averaged about 206 complaints per year, with 31 recalls. Common owner reports include power train shuddering, stuck ignition keys, brake noise, and multiple electronic system malfunctions. Despite 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, the Camry's higher sales volume means complaint rates per vehicle may be lower.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKZ | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 879 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 54 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 87.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 Better | 158 |
| 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 critical because it directly affects occupant protection in a collision.
Complaints include catastrophic engine failure with overheating and rough running, as well as white smoke from exhaust indicating coolant or oil issues. These failures 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 wheel and tires getting stuck. This can cause loss of control, especially at speed or in turns.
Reports include brakes locking up at low speeds with the ABS warning light flashing. This can happen unexpectedly and may require dealer diagnosis, posing a safety risk.
“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.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key becoming stuck and unable to be removed even when in Park, as well as hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can strand a driver or indicate transmission problems.
Multiple systems such as stability control, electric power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This broad electronic failure is confusing and may compromise safety features.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation with shuddering. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. These issues can prevent the car from moving or indicate ABS problems.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKZ or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKZ has far fewer complaints per year (about 88 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its complaints often involve severe safety issues like air bag failure and steering lock-up. The Camry's higher complaint volume may reflect its much larger sales, but it still has notable power train and brake problems. In practice, the MKZ may have fewer overall reports but each could be more dangerous, while the Camry's issues are more frequent but often less immediately life-threatening.
Key differences
- The Lincoln MKZ has 66 recalls vs. 31 for the Camry, but the MKZ's recalls include back-over prevention software and steering wheel issues.
- MKZ owners report air bag non-deployment and steering lock-up, while Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and electronic parking brake failures.
- The Camry has over twice as many complaints per year, but the MKZ has more than double the recalls.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Camry (171 vs. 54), but the MKZ has a higher ratio of injuries to complaints (34 injuries from 879 complaints vs. 158 from 2056).
- Check for any history of air bag deployment or warning lights, and ask if the air bag recall was performed; a cracked deployment bar can prevent air bags from working.
- Listen for engine overheating, rough running, or white smoke from the exhaust, which could indicate a failing engine.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may require battery disconnection to remove, a known power train complaint.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed, especially for the MKZ's air bag and steering recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the air bag system, steering components, and engine for the MKZ, and the power train, brakes, and electronics for the Camry.
- Test drive at various speeds and in reverse, checking for steering wobble, hesitation, or unusual brake noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any prior complaints or repairs related to the reported issues.
- Verify that the electronic parking brake and ignition key removal work properly on the Camry, and that the MKZ's brakes do not lock up at low speeds.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2019 | 20 | 395 |
| 2018 | 35 | 744 |
| 2017 | 138 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKZ vs Toyota Camry
- Lincoln MKZ total complaints
- 879
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lincoln MKZ total recalls
- 66
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lincoln MKZ avg complaints/year
- 87.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKZ
- Lincoln MKZ top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN