2019 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Lincoln MKZ has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: engine failed due to coolant intrusion into cylinders. this is a known design flaw in this engine.

3 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

4 complaints

22%

• Engine failed due to coolant intrusion into cylinders. This is a known design flaw in this engine
• My 2019 Lincoln MKZ check engine light came on. The repair shop said coolant was leaking into #3 cylinder from cracks in the engine block. Per alerts the shop receives from Ford, this is a known issue and there is no way to repair this issue. The engine will need to be replaced. My powertrain warran
• Vehicle model is prone to coolant intrusion which causes misfire and engine shut off while driving. Car shakes while accelerating.

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

“Engine failed due to coolant intrusion into cylinders. This is a known design flaw in this engine”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

17%

• THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. NO INDICATION OF SPEED NOR FUEL LEVEL.
• i put the car in park and it accelerated and hit the corner of my garage. when it was towed to the dealer for repair - i was told the message on the car was shift malfunction there was damage to the front grill, hood and passenger side quarter panel the vehicle is at Southgate Lincoln for repair and
• The 2019 Lincoln MKZ electrical system is faulty in my vehicle. Despite having all doors locked with car on and running someone was still able to open my door from the outside and essentially was carjacked, robbed, and severely beaten by 6 men. I did file a police report so it’s all documented alo

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

“THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. NO INDICATION OF SPEED NOR FUEL LEVEL.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

3 complaints

17%

• The steering wheel is loose and feels as if it wants to come apart from the steering column.
• Randomly my steering wheel will get stiff/lock up and pull the car and its hard to control it sometimes
• The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel wobbled. The contact stated that the steering wheel was moving back and forth. In addition, the contact stated that while making a turn, the steering wheel turned in the intended direction without an iss

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

“The steering wheel is loose and feels as if it wants to come apart from the steering column.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

2 complaints

11%

• 2019 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE COLLISION WARNING RADAR.
• i put the car in park and it accelerated and hit the corner of my garage. when it was towed to the dealer for repair - i was told the message on the car was shift malfunction there was damage to the front grill, hood and passenger side quarter panel the vehicle is at Southgate Lincoln for repair and

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

“2019 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE COLLISION WARNING RADAR.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

11%

• The 2019 Lincoln MKZ electrical system is faulty in my vehicle. Despite having all doors locked with car on and running someone was still able to open my door from the outside and essentially was carjacked, robbed, and severely beaten by 6 men. I did file a police report so it’s all documented alo
• I took my car to a Lincoln dealer because I was getting a drive control malfunction error every time I started my car. After a couple of days, I called the service dept. for a status update on the repair. The dealer told me that the car could not be repaired because they don't have a replacement par

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

“The 2019 Lincoln MKZ electrical system is faulty in my vehicle. Despite having all doors locked with car on and running someone was still able to open my door from the outside and essentially was carjacked, robbed, and severely beaten by 6 men. I did file a police report so it’s all documented alo”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Engine failed due to coolant intrusion into cylinders. This is a known design flaw in this engine
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. NO INDICATION OF SPEED NOR FUEL LEVEL.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: The steering wheel is loose and feels as if it wants to come apart from the steering column.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 2019 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE COLLISION WARNING RADAR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)