Most common 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of the 141 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln MKZ complaints by model year
Best MKZ years: 2006, 2019, 2007. Years to avoid: 2010, 2017, 2012, 2011. Compare all years →
2017 Lincoln MKZ recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Edge and 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Remedy: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2017 Lincoln MKZ:
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.
What 2017 Lincoln MKZ owners say
Engine & cooling all 84 →
Incident Summary - Vehicle Fire Date of Incident: Thursday, September 4, 2025 Context: I was driving to a scheduled service appointment for my car at Murgado Lincoln Dealership of Chicago Events Leading Up to the Fire While driving, I heard loud metal noises coming from under the hood. The sound was either metal pieces falling off or grinding/chomping metal against metal. Concerned by the noises, I pulled over to the side of the road. Smoke and Fire Once stopped, the car began emitting gray smoke, which quickly turned into black smoke. The black smoke entered through the dashboard, filling the interior cabin. I realized the vehicle had caught on fire. Immediate Actions Taken I quickly gathered personal belongings from inside the car. …
I purchased my 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select on November 11, 2024. The vehicle was determined to need a new engine, per Murgado Lincoln of Chicago. They had my car for over 48 days while putting in a new engine. After this was completed the car had to be sent back due to a mistake the mechanics made by not attaching a gasket properly. After this, I began experiencing odd noises underneath the hood and throughout the vehicle; delayed timing belt in both acceleration and deceleration, and so forth. I was then involved in a hit-and-run car accident (not my fault). All side airbags deployed and my passenger side rear wheel is destroyed. I had this car assessed just a few days ago by a certified Auto Care Company who said I needed a completely new transmission and that this car is not street legal at the moment... insurance is not helping me at all.
Transmission & drivetrain all 24 →
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whining sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that on the following day, the vehicle was started; however, while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the place of employment. The contact stated that after work, the vehicle was started, and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that on the following day, the vehicle was started; however, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that the vehicle instead rolled backward. …
Incident Summary - Vehicle Fire Date of Incident: Thursday, September 4, 2025 Context: I was driving to a scheduled service appointment for my car at Murgado Lincoln Dealership of Chicago Events Leading Up to the Fire While driving, I heard loud metal noises coming from under the hood. The sound was either metal pieces falling off or grinding/chomping metal against metal. Concerned by the noises, I pulled over to the side of the road. Smoke and Fire Once stopped, the car began emitting gray smoke, which quickly turned into black smoke. The black smoke entered through the dashboard, filling the interior cabin. I realized the vehicle had caught on fire. Immediate Actions Taken I quickly gathered personal belongings from inside the car. …
Brakes
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle responded when the brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. The contact stated that as she continued driving, the message "Brake Fluid" was displayed. The contact drove to the residence, where she noticed that brake fluid was leaking onto the ground. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer Ford of Latham (637 Columbia St Ext, Latham, NY 12110) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the braking distance was extended due to the failure. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the failure was caused by the front driver's side brake rubber hydraulic line that needed to be replaced due to damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently at the dealer for the repair. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V469000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
2017 Lincoln MKZ engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 41 / 38 / 40 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 31 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Lincoln MKZ a good car?
Based on 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 MKZ rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the MKZ at the same age. It is one of the MKZ years we suggest avoiding. 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?
The engine & cooling — 84 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (24) and brakes (16).
How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln MKZ have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, the most recent from March 10, 2023 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln MKZ?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2019 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2017, 2012 and 2011. See the full Lincoln MKZ years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 37% 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.