2017 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: while driving in heavy traffic on the interstate attempted to change lanes and accelerate, car suddenly lost power and the "see manual" light illuminated with tool - fortunately was able to coast car off exit ramp safely and pull over, at which point the engine chugged and stalled. first restart "s. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 10 crash reports 2 injuries

176

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

78 complaints

44%

• WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH TOOL - FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST CAR OFF EXIT RAMP SAFELY AND PULL OVER, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE CHUGGED AND STALLED. FIRST RESTART "S
• VEHICLE STALLS/LOSES POWER ONCE FUEL REACHES BELOW HALF TANK OF GAS. FORD HAS ISSUED TSB'S ON THIS VERY ISSUE ON MANY OF THEIR OTHER ENGINES, BUT I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY. HERE IS THE TSB FOR FORD FOCUS'S WITH THIS ISSUE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD)
• OIL PAN LEAK RTV LEAK. THIS MKZ IS LEAKING UP TO 1/4 QUART OF OIL A DAY.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH TOOL - FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST CAR OFF EXIT RAMP SAFELY AND PULL OVER, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE CHUGGED AND STALLED. FIRST RESTART "S”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

22 complaints

13%

• VEHICLE JERKS AGGRESSIVELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE THEN REVERSE TO DRIVE AT COLD START. AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THEN THERE IS A DELAY IN ENGAGEMENT WHERE THERE IS NO MOVEMENT AT ALL AS YOU SIT IN THE ROADWAY WITH TRAFFIC. NO CODES DISPLAYING AFTER AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH I PROVIDED
• OIL PAN LEAK RTV LEAK. THIS MKZ IS LEAKING UP TO 1/4 QUART OF OIL A DAY.
• JERKS HARD INTO SECOND GEAR AND JERKS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IN MOTION. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“VEHICLE JERKS AGGRESSIVELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE THEN REVERSE TO DRIVE AT COLD START. AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THEN THERE IS A DELAY IN ENGAGEMENT WHERE THERE IS NO MOVEMENT AT ALL AS YOU SIT IN THE ROADWAY WITH TRAFFIC. NO CODES DISPLAYING AFTER AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH I PROVIDED ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

15 complaints

• 1-CAR STALLED AND DIED TURNING FROM PARKING LOT ONTO STREET. BARELY AVOIDING COLLISION. 1/6/2018. DEFECT IN FUEL DELIVERY. STILL IN SHOP. 2- ODD NOISE AND SMELL WHILE BACKING UP DUE TO CRACKS IN BRAKE PAD . 1/17/17 REPLACED 01/17/17 ( HAVE REPAIR INVOICE, NOT SURE HOW TO UPLOAD)
• COLLISION MITIGATING BRAKING DOES NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES. WHEN A TRUCK SUDDENLY CUT ME OFF, THE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL WARNING INDICATE OBJECT IN THE WAT BUT NO BRAKING OCCURS. BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT PUMP UP (AS IT DOES WHEN THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SLOWS THE CAR). CAN REPRODUCE BY FOLLOWING TURNING VEHICL
• The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the braking distance was extended due to the failure. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“1-CAR STALLED AND DIED TURNING FROM PARKING LOT ONTO STREET. BARELY AVOIDING COLLISION. 1/6/2018. DEFECT IN FUEL DELIVERY. STILL IN SHOP. 2- ODD NOISE AND SMELL WHILE BACKING UP DUE TO CRACKS IN BRAKE PAD . 1/17/17 REPLACED 01/17/17 ( HAVE REPAIR INVOICE, NOT SURE HOW TO UPLOAD)”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

12 complaints

• I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE NO POWER AT ALL.. WEIRD NOTHING EVER HAPPENED LIKE THAT BEFORE. SO I GET AAA TO GIVE ME A BOOST. I GET TO MY DESTINATION. GO TO GET BACK IN MY CAR AND LEAVE. CAR DEAD NO POWER AT ALL. GET TOWED TO THE DEALER. BATTERY CHECK WAS GOOD. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THEN
• 1) Every used miz I test drove had a super hard jerk out of first gear including the one I purchased, I was told it was fine, went to another dealership and was told the transmission clutch was gone, repaired under warranty. 2) Gas tank door spring failed, saw its a common problem with Ford Lincoln
• 2017 Lincoln MKZ had the "Auto Hold" on and the car came to a complete stop at an intersection with a red traffic light. One other vehicle was in front of me and we had been stopped for at least 30 seconds. Without notice the Lincoln MKZ quickly lunged forward and struck the vehicle in front of me

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE NO POWER AT ALL.. WEIRD NOTHING EVER HAPPENED LIKE THAT BEFORE. SO I GET AAA TO GIVE ME A BOOST. I GET TO MY DESTINATION. GO TO GET BACK IN MY CAR AND LEAVE. CAR DEAD NO POWER AT ALL. GET TOWED TO THE DEALER. BATTERY CHECK WAS GOOD. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THEN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

• 2017 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO COMPUTER TOUCH SCREEN MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS CONTROL SWITCH PROBLEMS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE TOUCH SCREEN WOULD SHUT DOWN AND REBOOT ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGH
• I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE NO POWER AT ALL.. WEIRD NOTHING EVER HAPPENED LIKE THAT BEFORE. SO I GET AAA TO GIVE ME A BOOST. I GET TO MY DESTINATION. GO TO GET BACK IN MY CAR AND LEAVE. CAR DEAD NO POWER AT ALL. GET TOWED TO THE DEALER. BATTERY CHECK WAS GOOD. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THEN
• Navigation fails to locate correct GPS location rendering all navigation functions useless. APIM module replaced once under warranty, now 1 year later the issue has returned.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2017 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO COMPUTER TOUCH SCREEN MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS CONTROL SWITCH PROBLEMS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE TOUCH SCREEN WOULD SHUT DOWN AND REBOOT ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 176 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH TOOL - FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST CAR OFF EXIT RAMP SAFELY AND PULL OVER, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE CHUGGED AND STALLED. FIRST RESTART "S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE JERKS AGGRESSIVELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE THEN REVERSE TO DRIVE AT COLD START. AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THEN THERE IS A DELAY IN ENGAGEMENT WHERE THERE IS NO MOVEMENT AT ALL AS YOU SIT IN THE ROADWAY WITH TRAFFIC. NO CODES DISPLAYING AFTER AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH I PROVIDED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 1-CAR STALLED AND DIED TURNING FROM PARKING LOT ONTO STREET. BARELY AVOIDING COLLISION. 1/6/2018. DEFECT IN FUEL DELIVERY. STILL IN SHOP. 2- ODD NOISE AND SMELL WHILE BACKING UP DUE TO CRACKS IN BRAKE PAD . 1/17/17 REPLACED 01/17/17 ( HAVE REPAIR INVOICE, NOT SURE HOW TO UPLOAD)
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE NO POWER AT ALL.. WEIRD NOTHING EVER HAPPENED LIKE THAT BEFORE. SO I GET AAA TO GIVE ME A BOOST. I GET TO MY DESTINATION. GO TO GET BACK IN MY CAR AND LEAVE. CAR DEAD NO POWER AT ALL. GET TOWED TO THE DEALER. BATTERY CHECK WAS GOOD. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)