Lincoln MKZ Complaints
1,851 consumer complaints on file.
- #11678937August 6, 2025STEERING, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle began to feel as if it was losing the ability to get any power to the engine. I would push the pedal to accelerate but even fully compressed the vehicle would not go above 30mph. I attempted to drive the vehicle in to be inspected at a dealership and while on the way the steering wheel completely locked and an Emergency Light appeared on the dashboard stating "Safely Park Vehicle". It was a Horrifying Experience to be driving In traffic and lose control of the vehicle but luckily I was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road to safety without crashing! Although the vehicle was fully powered, it would not move and I had to call AAA in order to get the vehicle towed to the closest AAA Approved facility which was AutoWorks Diagnostics & Repair in Kittery, ME. They observed fluids had leaked out but were unable to locate where the leak was coming from and very Loud Noises that appeared to be coming from in between the Engine and Transmission . After researching online they found that there were Two Recalls involving the welds on the Torque Converter detaching from the engine. They also found a recall on the front brake hoses rupturing & leaking brake fluid as well as a Recall with the steering wheel retaining bolt loosening & detaching while driving which could also have contributed to the issues experienced with the vehicle and the safety concerns associated as I was driving in traffic and lost Total Control of the vehicle which could very likely have caused a Major Accident! Unfortunately None of these recalls have been associated with the VIN connected to this vehicle and the manufacturer; Lincoln, to this point has refused to discuss any of the issues having to do with the four recalls being associated to my specific 2017 Lincoln Hybrid Premier 2.0L gas engine with 6 speed transmission although this specific year, make & model has each of these reported recalls.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678711August 6, 2025SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while parked in a semi-truck parking lot, another driver was reversing where she was blocking, and the contact then attempted to avoid the collision and drive forward. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle accelerated excessively, and the brake pedal was then depressed but failed to respond. Upon a second attempt, the brake pedal went to the floorboard, accompanied by an abnormal vibration. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a tree. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the incident. The driver mentioned a previous incident where the vehicle reversed into a gate. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The brakes had been checked previously and were reportedly functioning properly. During the crash, the air bags deployed, and the driver sustained a head injury but did not seek medical attention. No fire or police report was filed as the incident occurred on private property. The local dealer was contacted and mentioned an extended warranty. The dealer suggested towing the vehicle, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted multiple times, including their legal department, but no response was received. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678744August 6, 2025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11676394July 26, 2025POWER TRAIN
On models 2017-2019 Lincoln mkz’s there is a tsb known issue for coolant intrusion in the cylinders. I need an engine replacement. This should be a recall in these cars
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675259July 22, 2025BACK 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
- #11674743July 19, 2025STEERING
When I stop at a stop sign & then turn right, my steering wheel locks up. It does clear up after trying to turn it but I’m stuck in traffic & cannot move because the steering is locked. This happened twice in 4 days. Brought car to dealership & they never heard of this.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11674202July 17, 2025AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS
Transmission slipping, side airbags deployed, seatbelt cut, TPMS light on, unsafe to drive.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11674318July 17, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, and the message "Camera Is Unavailable" was displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 43,800.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11673764July 15, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The contact stated that after pumping the brake pedal repeatedly the vehicle came to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with the ABS control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11673818July 15, 2025AIR BAGS, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11673043July 12, 2025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On 10 May 2025 the car engine stalled at an intersection and would not restart. Had the car towed to the nearest Ford Dealership (Five Star Ford - Plano, Texas). The dealership repaired the failure by replacing the low pressure fuel pump. Failure is similar to 25V442000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11671573July 7, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At any given time without warning the car will down shift into 4, 3, 2, or 1. It is intermittent but in the last 3 weeks has become very frequent. I have taken it to the dealership. They state that it is the internal clock spring in the the steering column. They have told me that my power train warranty and/or technology extended warranty will honor the replacement, so I looked up possible recalls on this model vehicle and found there is in fact a recall on the steering column internal clock spring but the concern was on the airbag. The issue I am having with the downshifting is going to cause someone to rear end me. There is no pre-warning. I have driven on service roads, the interstate, my neighborhood streets, and on highway. It seems to happen more as I am following the curve of the road, or when I am turning or changing lanes/merging onto interstate. If I am at a complete stop and turn either left or right it will downshift to 1. I am also concerned to the extent of damage this may be doing to my transmission and engine, as it happens during speeds of 45 to 75 mph on the highways and interstate. I do have video on my phone of this behavior and I can send it to you if I have an email address you have access to. I have placed the most current date of this behavior in the incident box, however this has happened numerous times over the past few months, It just wouldn't give a code to any dealerships for diagnosis.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11671623July 7, 2025VISIBILITY/WIPER
Back up camera not working Glitch and black screen
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11671399July 6, 2025ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased this vehicle on November 11, 2024. About one month later, I began experiencing severe problems. The engine started overheating, which marked the beginning of a downward spiral of issues. To address the overheating, a new engine was installed by Murgado Lincoln dealership, which took approximately 48 days to complete. While the new engine resolved the overheating, a serious transmission problem has persisted and worsened. Since I purchased the car, the transmission has been slipping constantly, shifting gears on its own unpredictably, making loud noises under the hood and throughout the entire vehicle. These issues create a major safety hazard, putting me and others at significant risk. On June 25, 2025, I was involved in a hit-and-run incident that likely worsened the vehicle’s condition. During this incident, the side airbags on both sides of my vehicle deployed, but the front airbag did not deploy at all, which is highly concerning and increased the danger during the impact. Additionally, the car has a cracked shock absorber head, likely from the accident, which has led to instability and potential fishtailing. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle due to unpredictable handling and further mechanical failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. These problems have been confirmed and partially addressed by the dealer when the engine was replaced, but the transmission issues have never been fully resolved. There were no specific warning lamps for the transmission before the failure, but the slipping and erratic gear changes started about one month after purchase and have become progressively worse.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11670985July 3, 2025LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open while pulling the interior door handle, requiring the contact to open the door using the exterior door handle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side interior door handle was replaced three times, and the door lock was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger' side door failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front passenger' side door lock was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,567.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11669507June 26, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force on the brake pedal and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 168,258.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667676June 18, 2025AIR BAGS
2 years ago air bags were replaced on a recall notice. Last week dash board is showing a warning notice with the air bag(s) again. Is there another recall for the air bags? Do I have to pay for replacement?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667052June 15, 2025STEERING
My car has lost powering steering three times now. I have replaced the rack and pinion module twice and I’m fixing to a third time. This has happened all within the last 3.5 years
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11666907June 14, 2025ENGINE
My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine block.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11666748June 13, 2025STEERING
My daughter almost killed herself in the car at [XXX]; the steering wheel and wheels got stuck. She's stuck at [XXX] close by [XXX] in the middle of the road, She's already called the mechanic and towing company and his assistant so I can get to work. The car is under my name [XXX] . Car was towed to a mechanic shop. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0