Is the 2016 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ has 76 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Top problems: BRAKES (13 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (12 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

The 2016 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 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ has 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is brakes problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 lincoln mkz. while pulling into a parking space at an unknown speed with the brake pedal depressed to the floor, the vehicle failed to respond. the contact crashed the vehicle into a pole. the contact mentioned that the vehicle was equipped with motion sensors to stop the. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 9 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

13 complaints

17%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE
• A VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE A CAR DID THE SAME IN FRONT OF THEM. I BRAKED SUDDENLY BUT IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND, MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO DID THE SIDES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE THE IMPACT BLINDING ME AS I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRON
• The brake light switch assembly failed. The car's brake light will not go off. Other drivers do not know if you are braking. The dealer can not fix it until next week, meanwhile, it is dangerous to drive. This brake switch assembly is under recall for 2014 MKZ and 2015 MKZ. It looks to be the same a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ

Based on 36 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 33K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 5 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 (7)

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 2016 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)

$2,824/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 2016 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 2016 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 76 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V167000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ALLAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: SAFETY RECALL NOT COMPLETED I FEAR I WILL GET INTO A CRASH AND BE KILLED FROM FLYING METAL FROM AIR BAG. WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY IS THIS NOT TAKEN CARE OF?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)