Is the 2015 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2015 Lincoln MKZ has 100 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

Top problems: BRAKES (16 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (15 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

Yes, there are 11 recall(s): STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

The 2015 Lincoln MKZ gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Lincoln MKZ is approximately $1,853/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Lincoln MKZ has 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is brakes problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: this car becomes uncontrollable on a snow road. it can't make a turn when you need it. it goes very unstable on a straight road. i wasn't able to stop on a red light , and i wasn't able to make a left turn, twice on one 12 miles trip. first i drove with little speed no more than 25 miles an hour, af. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

100

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

16 complaints

16%

• THIS CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE ON A SNOW ROAD. IT CAN'T MAKE A TURN WHEN YOU NEED IT. IT GOES VERY UNSTABLE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP ON A RED LIGHT , AND I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, TWICE ON ONE 12 MILES TRIP. FIRST I DROVE WITH LITTLE SPEED NO MORE THAN 25 MILES AN HOUR, AF
• REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
• I JUST HAD MY STATE INSPECTION IN JAN. ON 3.28.20, I GOT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT. I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE, PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I FELT A RESISTANCE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE DID STOP. UNSURE OF WHAT HAPPENED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND I APPLIED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THIS CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE ON A SNOW ROAD. IT CAN'T MAKE A TURN WHEN YOU NEED IT. IT GOES VERY UNSTABLE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP ON A RED LIGHT , AND I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, TWICE ON ONE 12 MILES TRIP. FIRST I DROVE WITH LITTLE SPEED NO MORE THAN 25 MILES AN HOUR, AF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Based on 55 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

High-mileage issuemedian 85K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM29/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln MKZ Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2015 MKZ, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 100 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THIS CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE ON A SNOW ROAD. IT CAN'T MAKE A TURN WHEN YOU NEED IT. IT GOES VERY UNSTABLE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP ON A RED LIGHT , AND I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, TWICE ON ONE 12 MILES TRIP. FIRST I DROVE WITH LITTLE SPEED NO MORE THAN 25 MILES AN HOUR, AF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: IN 20K MILES ENTIRE CAR STOPPED WORKING AFTER IN GARAGE OVER WEEKEND AND NO LIGHTS WERE ON, NO ISSUE WAS FOUND INITIALLY BUT BATTERY WAS CHANGED ONCE IN A NEW CAR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. CAN CAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I tried to start my car this morning. It would not start. There was a loud popping noise, the headlights started flashing and a red box popped up on the control panel with the words brake failure. It was fine yesterday. There is a recall on the brake hoses. I called the dealership I bought the car f
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: IN 20K MILES ENTIRE CAR STOPPED WORKING AFTER IN GARAGE OVER WEEKEND AND NO LIGHTS WERE ON, NO ISSUE WAS FOUND INITIALLY BUT BATTERY WAS CHANGED ONCE IN A NEW CAR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. CAN CAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)