Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2018 | 9 | 26% | 135,000 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 17% | 107,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% | 49,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% | 38,000 miles |
| 2013 | 15 | 14% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 31,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% | 77,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% | 113,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% | 126,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Car only has 97K miles and the transmission fluid has been leaking for some time causing loud noises from the transmission which took time to locate. The transmission leaked fluid and only had about half a liter of fluid when it should be around 4.5 liters. The fluid leaked from the transmission on the driver cv axle seal. The car shows no lights on dash of any kind. I discovered the leak after the noises were really bad while driving one day. I put the car on my ramps and got under and discovered the driver cv axle damaged and looked like electrical tape was jammed in the cv axle near the transfer case/transmission. Upon closer inspection the leak of transmission fluid was even more obvious. There is no dip stick for the transmission so I decided to drain and see and there is evidence of only about half a liter of fluid. The fluid is black and full of metal particles. …
Scanned codes P0741, P1450, P1744, & P2196. Check the transmission fluid level and condition. No fluid drained from hole, added a little fluid, and retrieved a sample of the fluid. The fluid is very dark. Identifix states, if the fluid smells or has the appearance of being black due to internal clutch slippage, the transmission should be replaced or overhauled. If the transmission fluid is in good condition and found to be at the proper level, monitor the Torque Converter Clutch actual slip (TC_SLIPACT) and TCC desired slip (TC_SLIPDSD) PIDs through the scan tool as the vehicle is driven noting these reading should stay relatively closed together expecting the reading to show to be within 10 RPM of each other. Seeing the values spread apart supports the setting of the P0741 and P1744 codes. …
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. …
After reading about the numerous complaints about this vehicles transmission issues I have decided to come here. The PCM and TCM need to be changed in the vehicle. Causing rough shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th which essentially will cause you to replace the transmission because of the damage it causes. Also constantly having drive control malfunction, check headlamp system messages popping up. There is also horrendous noise from the rear suspension any time you go over any type of anomaly in the road.
Transmission hard shift from 1-2 and 3-4, started experiencing problem approximately 24,000 mi have taken to dealership twice(once in feb for 4 days) and second time in mar for 7 days), first time said it was leaking fluid and replaced "o" ring. A couple of weeks later in March returned, was getting worse, said they rebuilt the transmission. Shifts as if someone hit me in rear when increasing speed pulling away from traffic light on a city street or merging onto highway. Now makes a whining noise when accelerating from traffic light of merging, anytime shifting gears in general.
Unknown. I purchased the car like this from a car dealership. When turning the tires are rubbing against something that makes the car start shaking every time it turns. The seat started going sideways and won't move anymore The tires make an ugly noise when you press on the brakes
Copy of email to Ford motor on April 16, 2014: we recently leased a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The new push button shift control that we are not accustomed to, resulted in an accident with $1187 worth of damages to the front end. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the building/drain pipe we hit did not sustain damage requiring a police report or insurance claim. Summary: car leased from star Lincoln on February 22nd. While driving to florida on March 22nd we stopped for gasoline/coffee. After filling the car I went inside the service station. My wife subsequently moved the car from the pump area to the parking area in front of the service station. She then stopped the car with the brake and thought the car was then in park. Upon taking her foot off the brake, the car lurched forward hitting the building corner and knocking down the drain pipe. …
Related recalls (3)
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2012, through September 24, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission range sensor may not function properly allowing the affected vehicles to be shifted out of the Park position without first…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on January 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln MKZ years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (24), 2013 (15), 2014 (9), 2018 (9) and 2007 (7) model years. Transmission complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Lincoln MKZ transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 18V-390 (torque converter, Jun 11, 2018); 17V-427 (torque converter, Jul 6, 2017); 13V-594 (automatic transmission, Nov 25, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln MKZ transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › torque converter (4 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (1).
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.