Lincoln MKZ Complaints (2013)

122 consumer complaints on file.

#11772050October 19, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
All dashboard warning lights come on simultaneously, randomly/without warning. This also affected the cruise control activation along with the vehicle lane change warning sensors becoming non-operational.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764334September 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
Component Failure & Inspection: Restraints Control Module (RCM) / physical airbags failed on a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The 44-page Bosch CDR report proves a hardware failure: Page 8 logs a "YES" command for Frontal and Rollover Discriminating Deployment. System voltage was stable (14.02V at T0), and seatbelt pretensioners successfully fired (683.0 ms and 688.0 ms). However, physical airbags completely failed to inflate and left no execution timestamps. This matches NHTSA Campaign for 2013 Lincoln MKZ for air bag but owner was never alerted. NHTSA Campaign where cracked conformal coating shunts deployment voltage to ground. The vehicle/RCM are preserved and available for inspection.Safety Risk: The failure left driver K** ****** unprotected in a violent, multi-stage crash. Entering at 50.70 MPH, the vehicle braked to 40.02 MPH at initial impact struck car then struck the road and flipped ~1 second later. Due to non-deployment, the driver suffered severe injuries requiring critical medical air evacuation (airlift) and 6 months of lost wages so far. Confirmation/Reproduction: Confirmed via forensic data extraction. A retained professional pulled the black box data, generating a 44-page Bosch CDR report proving the software commanded deployment ("YES") but the hardware mechanically failed.Inspections: The Louisiana Uniform Crash Report explicitly notes "Not Deployed" despite the rollover. State Farm Insurance reviewed these digital metrics and reassigned 100% fault to the other driver (D**** *****).Warning Symptoms: None. The system was healthy up to the millisecond of impact. Page 7 logs "No Faults Recorded" at the start of the event. At -1.0 second, the Frontal Air Bag Warning Lamp was "OFF," proving the factory defect was entirely silent and hidden.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11723699March 11, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can evaluate whether this may represent a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model or vehicles sold under similar circumstances.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717680February 12, 2026
STEERING
I was slowing down to take a turn and I see an error message saying “power steering assist failure”. And steering went stiff..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697244November 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Video camera in the back is almost unusable at times, get loss of vision completely or it's flipped image and distorted. Don't know if this counts but I had a issue where key batteries where fine and the car did not want to unlock or start. Also last winter the door would not unlock and if forced would not close.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694985October 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
the driver side mirror blind spot stopped working and all most hit a vehicle coming up alongside of me. Yes it is available No in October
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691292October 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while adjusting the driver's side motorized seat, the contact felt an electric shock through her left hand, prompting the contact to cease the action and immediately turn off the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was short in the motorized seat. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684577September 2, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera screen turned off and turned on independently. Additionally, there was a message to contact the dealer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675259July 22, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact stated that occasionally the screen was distorted or blank. The message that the camera was unavailable was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664875June 4, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while exiting the vehicle, the contact observed an abnormally strong fuel odor outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not able to be replicated; however, the gas cap was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630952December 16, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624473November 11, 2024
ENGINE
Catalytic converter, reduced engine power and toxic fumes. I had it inspected and would cost me $1200, I purchased the vehicle from dealership and was not made aware of the recalls and customer satisfaction program that would have covered the catalytic converter under campaign #20m01. When I became aware of the program it was too late by a couple of months, there was no prior symptoms prior to the failure, I became aware of the problem December 2023 due to warning light (check engine). This has became an inconvenience and a headache especially knowing the problem could have been avoided if I received the "letter" regarding customer satisfaction program but I never did.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621749October 24, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
Car (93,000 miles) was operating fine, no check engine nor any other lights. I go into pharmacy come back out get in car to shift gears into drive and I notice the brake pedal sink to floor. As I am driving I notice that when braking it continues to take a longer distance to stop (brake light comes on). I recently had a spinal fusion so my safety and others was put into jeopardy. There was no waring of potential problems and I regularly have the car maintenance with no indication of needing any work done. I noticed all brake fluid was gone so I refilled hoping for the best but the fluid leaked out of the front passenger side brake line causing the fluid to be sprayed everywhere. Since, the problem happened so suddenly I checked for any brake problems concerning my vehicle type and I found that it has a recall for this problem. This has been an inconvenience due to being my only source of transportation, I need to get my meds, recovering from back surgery, now this!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608685August 15, 2024
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Power steering fault, Hard to steering.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602742July 16, 2024
STEERING
When turn and more specifically u-turns or sharp turns, the steering is very hard. I noticed that there was a recall on power steering for the Lincoln MKZ 2013 for cars registered in Iowa. However, Lincoln is saying that my car is not covered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572980February 20, 2024
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The power steering suddenly stopped working as I was on the highway and couldn’t control my car without warning. It started working momentarily and then stopped again. It’s been over 24 hours. The fuses were checked. At the same time that the steering went out two messages appeared. “Lane keeping sys malfunction” and “steering loss stop safety”. It is available for inspection currently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546303September 25, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and driving at various speeds, there was a loud beeping sound as if the doors were unlocked or opened. There were no warning lights or error messages displayed. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541241August 28, 2023
WHEELS, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Took car in for an oil change and tire rotation. The dealer did the oil change but could not do the tire rotation because the lug nuts needed to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533775July 22, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts unlock at any given time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523960May 26, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the power steering became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about the steering recalls for the vehicle regarding the electrical power steering assist which caused the power steering column to fail. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was contacted and informed her that the repair was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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