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U.S. public vehicle records

2015 Lincoln MKZ: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

82 owner complaints analyzed

10 distinct recall campaigns

57,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 82 complaints (18.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1923.2%
Steering behavior1113.4%
Electrical and battery issues78.5%
Transmission and shifting67.3%
Engine operation11.2%
Fuel system concerns11.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
15
Back Over Prevention
10
Service Brakes
9
Steering
8
Air Bags
7
Unknown Or Other
7
Engine
6
Seat Belts
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System15
Back Over Prevention10
Service Brakes9
Steering8
Air Bags7
Unknown Or Other7
Engine6
Seat Belts5

Electrical System: 15; Back Over Prevention: 10; Service Brakes: 9; Steering: 8; Air Bags: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Engine: 6; Seat Belts: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
11
25,000 to 49,999
11
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
8
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00011
25,000 to 49,99911
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,9998
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2015
2
2016
3
2017
7
2018
8
2019
6
2020
8
2021
2
2022
10
2023
10
2024
4
2025
7
2026
15
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20152
20163
20177
20188
20196
20208
20212
202210
202310
20244
20257
202615

2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 7; 2018: 8; 2019: 6; 2020: 8; 2021: 2; 2022: 10; 2023: 10; 2024: 4; 2025: 7; 2026: 15

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10677105 · 2015-01-21 (January 21, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10677105 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10748240 · 2015-08-12 (August 12, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE AIR BUBBLES IN THE WINDSHIELD AND ALL WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD DIMINISHING THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V484000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6.

Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10748240 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10852217 · 2016-03-29 (March 29, 2016)

I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 LINCOLN MKZ. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SOME ROUTINE SERVICE AND MENTIONED THAT THE SINGLE BACK UP LIGHT IS WAY TOO DIM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT TO IT. NO ACCIDENT JUST SOMETHING THAT I NOTICED WHEN BACKING UP IN THE DARK.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10852217 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10894843 · 2016-08-10 (August 10, 2016)

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?

Owner-reported narrative. 20,978 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894843 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10926046 · 2016-11-14 (November 14, 2016)

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 14 TIMES IN 16 MONTHS FOR VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL AND SENSOR PROBLEMS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2015 AND CURRENTLY HAS 14K MILES. IT HAS SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES BUT THE TWO SAFETY RISKS ARE: 1) THE DRIVER SEAT IS SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY RECLINE AND THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTS UPWARD TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THE SEAT IS SUPPOSED TO RE-ADJUST FORWARD & STEERING WHEEL DOWNWARD TO THE MEMORY THAT THE DRIVER SETS ONCE THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. TWICE THE SEAT …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926046 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10949270 · 2017-02-03 (February 3, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V875000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10949270 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10983889 · 2017-05-07 (May 7, 2017)

TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT FROM 1-2 AND 3-4, STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MI HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE(ONCE IN FEB FOR 4 DAYS) AND SECOND TIME IN MAR FOR 7 DAYS), FIRST TIME SAID IT WAS LEAKING FLUID AND REPLACED "O" RING. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER IN MARCH RETURNED, WAS GETTING WORSE, SAID THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. SHIFTS AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME IN REAR WHEN INCREASING SPEED PULLING AWAY FROM TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET OR MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY. NOW MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM TRAFFIC LIGHT OF MERGING,…

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983889 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10993972 · 2017-06-08 (June 8, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE DRIVER HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO A DEALER (DANA FORD LINCOLN, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE A-FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO RECOMMENDED A WHEEL A…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993972 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

15V248000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Reported: 2015-04-27 (April 27, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 17, 2014, to March 19, 2015, and equipped with daytime running lights (DRL). In the affected vehicles, the parking lights do not reduce their light output from a DRL level when used in conjunction with the headlights. As such, the light output may exceed the the permissable amount allowed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: If the light output is excessive, oncoming traffic may be temporarily blinded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the lighting control software, free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 15C02.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V250000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2015-04-28 (April 28, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

Consequence: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more 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 on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S14.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V875000 · Seat Belts:Front

Reported: 2016-12-05 (December 5, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.

Consequence: If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S42.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V167000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 2018-03-12 (March 12, 2018)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V590000 · Seat Belts:Front

Reported: 2019-08-12 (August 12, 2019)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.

Consequence: A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S25. Note: This recall is an expansion of a recall 16V-875.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V632000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2019-08-29 (August 29, 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V177000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Reported: 2020-03-23 (March 23, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V011000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 2022-01-13 (January 13, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.

Consequence: A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V162000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2023-03-10 (March 10, 2023)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V695000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported: 2025-10-13 (October 13, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗