Lincoln MKZ Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a Lincoln MKZ? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Lincoln MKZ — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020Best | 1 | 2 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Full report → |
| 2019 | 1 | 13 | 1 | STEERING | Full report → |
| 2018 | 2 | 26 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2017Worst | 4 | 119 | 3 | ENGINE | Full report → |
| 2016 | 7 | 58 | 6 | STEERING | Full report → |
| 2015 | 11 | 71 | 0 | SERVICE BRAKES | Full report → |
Most Common MKZ Problems
Based on 289 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
MKZ Years to Avoid
Best MKZ Years to Buy
Lincoln MKZ Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Lincoln MKZ Reliability
What year MKZ has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 119 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 2017 report for details on specific defects.
Is the Lincoln MKZ reliable?
The Lincoln MKZ has accumulated 289 owner-filed complaints and 26 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2020 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used MKZ.
What are the most common MKZ problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the Lincoln MKZ across recent model years are: ENGINE (55 reports), SERVICE BRAKES (21 reports), POWER TRAIN (20 reports), STEERING (19 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my MKZ has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any Lincoln MKZ using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific Lincoln MKZ VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Lincoln MKZ VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily