Lincoln MKZ years to avoid (and the best years)
1,001 NHTSA owner complaints and 35 recalls across 10 model years, 2010 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,001complaints
- 35recalls
- 67reported crashes
- 11reported fires
- 44reported injuries
Which Lincoln MKZ years should you avoid?
No Lincoln MKZ model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Lincoln MKZ year has 103 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2010 (169).
What are the best Lincoln MKZ years?
The Lincoln MKZ years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (20), 2018 (33) and 2016 (63). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20 | 0.2× | 1 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 33 | 0.3× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 137 | 1.3× | 4 | 6 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 63 | 0.6× | 7 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2015 | 82 | 0.8× | 11 | 4 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 97 | 0.9× | 14 | 7 | 4 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2013 | 109 | 1.1× | 13 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 146 | 1.4× | 6 | 10 | 9 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 145 | 1.4× | 7 | 11 | 6 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 169 | 1.6× | 9 | 14 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 320 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts148 (46%)
- Brakes58 (18%)
- Engine & powertrain28 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires26 (8%)
- Other systems21 (7%)
Recalls (35)
Safety · 25V695000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2015
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V442000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2019
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V775000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2016
Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Brakes · 23V162000 · Mar 2023 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V011000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2014, 2015
A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 21V158000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21E013000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V081000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2010
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 20V331000 · Jun 2020 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Exterior lighting · 20E025000 · Apr 2020 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
The incorrect headlamps may reduce the driver's visibility or make the vehicle less visible, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V177000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Brakes · 19V904000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2010
If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 19V632000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 19V590000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2015
A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V001000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V775000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 18V390000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2017
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V167000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V046000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Transmission · 17V427000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2017
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V210000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Airbags · 17V024000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 16V875000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V384000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 15V618000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2016
A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Steering · 15V340000 · Jun 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Steering · 15V250000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 15V248000 · Apr 2015 · model year 2015
If the light output is excessive, oncoming traffic may be temporarily blinded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V246000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Airbags · 14V597000 · Sep 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 14E028000 · May 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V164000 · Apr 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Transmission · 13V594000 · Nov 2013 · model years 2013, 2014
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll which may result in a crash.
Electrical system · 13V230000 · May 2013 · model year 2013
Exposed electrical wires increase the risk of electric shock.
Fuel system · 13V227000 · May 2013 · model year 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.