Lincoln MKZ Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Lincoln MKZ options? We analyzed 10 model years (2011–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Lincoln MKZ you plan to buy.
LINCOLN MKZ (2011–2020) has 837 NHTSA complaints and 66 recalls. Top issues include air bags (178 complaints), engine (122), and steering (122). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (184). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- MKZ
- Model years analyzed
- 2011–2020 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 837
- Safety recall campaigns
- 66
- Crash-related complaints
- 53
- Fire-related complaints
- 10
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2011 (184 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2019 (15 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
Lincoln MKZ: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Below AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2011–2020 Lincoln MKZ shows high complaint counts for air bags (178), engine (122), and steering (122). The 2011 and 2012 model years have the most complaints, while 2018–2020 have fewer. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Air bags account for 178 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Engine and steering each have 122 complaints, tied for second most.
- 2011 model year has 184 complaints, the most of any year.
- Air bag system may fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly.
- Engine may stall or lose power while driving.
- Steering may become difficult or lose assist.
2011 and 2012 have the most complaints (184 and 146), driven by air bags, engine, and steering issues.
2018–2020 models have the fewest complaints (26, 15, 2 respectively), suggesting better reliability.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for air bag, engine, and steering repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system and engine performance.
- Check for any outstanding safety recalls before purchase.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
66 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2011–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 837 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
837 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
-The front bumper of the car is nearly coming off. This is attached by a "bra" covering the front bumper and if not on the whole front bumper would fall off. The tires/rims are also nearly run down and need to be replaced. -This is caused me great concern when transporting my children as a divorced father to and from the other party's premise. At every turn I believe the bumper may fall off or one of the tires. -UNKNOWN -UNKNOWN -This problem has been happening for at least a year, and I would like for the (front bumper) of the vehicle to be replaced along with four (tires/rims) at the earliest.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera would display a black screen whenever in reverse. The camera would fail the majority of the time when in reverse. The failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the front end made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist functionality. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
regarding the rear view camera. It stopped working intermittently and now it shows the picture inverted (backwards) I see an extensive list of vehicles that have been recalled, but my vin is not listed. How do I get this repaired?
The back up camera mostly is blank and doesn’t warn me of a vehicle coming from either side resulting in almost getting hit several times
Rear camera malfunction in that the image is reversed and the reference lines are missing, fertile lines also appear obstructing view
My back up camera fails the majority of the time. When in reverse it will say camera not available, or it will just go black. And every once in a while it will actually work. I have goiter used to using the camera to check for cars and children behind me. It is hard to see things behind me when I just look out the back window. Yes had a ford dealer look over it and they told me it would be very expensive to have fixed and that they see this problem often on the MKZ. No warning. It just started working intermittently.
The issue is the back up camera works correctly sporadically. Often times the screen is blank or says to contact the dealer. I took it to the Ford dealer and said to fix the issue the camera would have to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R), the image on the rear-view camera was frozen or distorted. The contact stated that on other occasions the screen was black. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the back over prevention camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
I have had this problem now for over a year, the backup camera on my 2016 Lincoln MKZ shows a panoramic view of the rear but things are reversed, left is on the right side and visa versa or the screen goes blank and a message states camera unavailable contact dealership. Sometimes it works okay but then goes into one of the two issues mentioned above. I talked with my dealership and they wanted to diagnose it, for a fee, or replace the camera which would be between $500 and $800 but I declined. You have had a few reports of this for the MKZ but just recently Ford issued a recall for this specific issue and symptoms for 2015 to 2019 Mustangs, Lincoln Navigators, Lincoln MKC, Edge, Fusion and others along with the entire F-series pickup trucks. The recall issued indicated a software issue and that any authorized dealership could replace the camera but when talking to my dealership today, Irwin Lincoln/Mazda in Freehold New Jersey, they said since my car/vin isn't currently under the current recall for this they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee and parts/labor to fix what they find. You need to include the 2015 to 2019 MKZ under this recall as I and others have had the exact symptoms indicated on the current recall for the backup camera.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer on several occasions for a START/STOP repair, and other unknown repairs; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the results were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
We own a 2016 Lincoln MKZ hybrid that is having issues with the backup camera randomly going blank, or significant delays at random times. Ford/Lincoln addressed the exact issue as a software recall in other models under Recall 25S72, but failed to list our vehicle. This is becoming a big issue with safety not having the backup camera working with the way the rear window is placed, it is difficult to see certain areas behind you. Since this was already identified as a software issue by Lincoln/Ford, we would like to see them extend the recall include our vehicle. This randomly has been happening for the last month.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, and the message "Camera Is Unavailable" was displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 43,800.
My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine block.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power but was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Backup camera is showing opposite side. Left side is on yhe right and right side is on the left
I’ve had my car for 7 months and the power steering went out. Not able drive until repaired for $2000.
Eco Boost 2.0 Coolant Intrusion to Cylinders Needs new motor, very well known issue by Ford and they are not willing to pay for repairs
My power steering electric system doesn’t work, the steering gear motor may have detached from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds
While driving a complete loss of brake incident occurred. The brake pedal got still, and the car would not stop. Luckily, we were close to home and was able to slow down enough to turn around and get home slowly. Upon investigation it was found the coupler (Part that connects camshaft to brake pump) failed causing the brake pump to not work. This situation is extremely dangerous as we had no prior warning to failure. Even the complete loss of brakes did not have any indicator lights during the incident. Considering the operation of the coupler, how could something so small and so important be weak enough to snap internally, causing a complete loss of brakes with no warning.
Showing 20 of 837 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Lincoln MKZ
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lincoln MKZ has 837 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lincoln MKZ has 66 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 53 of the Lincoln MKZ's 837 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lincoln MKZ vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Lincoln MKZ vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lincoln MKZ has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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