Lincoln MKZ Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln MKZ model year from 2006–2019 using 1,666 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 32 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2010, 2017, 2012 and 2011, which drew far more complaints than other MKZ years at the same age. The best years are 2006, 2019 and 2007.

14model years
1,666complaints
32recalls
2010, 2017worst years
2006, 2019best years

Complaints by model year

200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192592811141701451461099784641413521
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln MKZ. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201921−61%1EngineGood
201835−49%2EngineGood
20171411.7×4EngineCaution
201664−41%6BrakeGood
201584−28%10ElectricalAverage
201497typical13SteeringAverage
2013109typical12ElectricalAverage
20121461.6×5AirbagCaution
20111451.5×5AirbagCaution
20101701.7×7AirbagCaution
2009114−15%6AirbagAverage
20082811.2×4AirbagAverage
2007259−52%4AirbagGood
20060−98%4—Good

* Complaints compared with the median MKZ year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln MKZ problems

Latest Lincoln MKZ recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-695 · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 25V-442 · Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles

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, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and…

Remedy: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 23V-775 · Nov 17, 2023 · 45,173 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 23V-162 · Mar 10, 2023 · 1,280,726 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Remedy: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages

NHTSA recall 22V-011 · Jan 13, 2022 · 199,085 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022.

All 32 Lincoln MKZ recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln MKZ should you avoid?

2010, 2017, 2012 and 2011 — these years have the most complaints relative to other MKZ years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2010.

What is the best year for the Lincoln MKZ?

2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other MKZ years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2007. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln MKZ problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (674), brakes (283) and engine & cooling (182). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln MKZ had?

32 recalls across 2006–2019. The model year with the most is 2014. See all Lincoln MKZ recalls by year.

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.