Most common 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid complaints by model year
Best MKZ Hybrid years: 2016, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2014. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid:
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Shift System Fault" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, she shifted into drive, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle responded on the second attempt. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall as the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted several times, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,800.
Steering
Loose steering wheel issues as described in existing recall Safety Recall 18S08 Dealer repaired at a cost, and was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for the recall. Bolt replaced and retorqued to sped. Service performed by Fiesta Lincoln 1720 S Mesa Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210 on 10/21/2024 with approx cost of $240 (final invoice not available at this time.)
There was a recall for a loose steering wheel bolt . The recall was repaired at the dealership but now the steering wheel is loose again. I feel like this issue is grounds for a second recall. Not sure what is going on . Please advise before something bad happens
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 70-75 MPH, there was white and black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle stalled and made an abnormal sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the timing chain malfunctioned inside the engine, which caused the spark plugs to completely melt. There were several unknown misfire codes. Additionally, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed the contact that the catalytic converter had failed, which caused the engine to overheat. Additionally, the piston rod had a hole melted through the center, and the exhaust mounts were melted along with several other unknown parts. …
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was misfiring, the coolant level was extremely low, and coolant had intruded into cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that TSB (22-229) regarding the failure had previously been issued by the manufacturer but the VIN was not included. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.
2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 41 / 38 / 40 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 MKZ Hybrid rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the MKZ Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (4) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011 and 2014. See the full Lincoln MKZ Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.