2016 Lincoln MKZ: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
56,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 63 complaints (17.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 |
Electrical System: 11; Steering: 11; Service Brakes: 10; Air Bags: 9; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Back Over Prevention: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 35 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 12; 2024: 6; 2025: 12; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10881524 · 2016-06-29 (June 29, 2016)
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 VEHICLE WHEN AN OBJECT WAS NEAR, BUT THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10881524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10885374 · 2016-07-17 (July 17, 2016)
WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE CARPOOL LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 75-80 MPH IN THE EXPRESS LANE ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SUDDEN DE-EXCELERATION TO 20 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR SHOWED DEFAULT CODES AND NO MATTER WHAT I DID THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 20 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10885374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10893423 · 2016-08-05 (August 5, 2016)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE WENT TO LOW IDLE. THE PLACES THE OPERATOR IN A VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION WHEN TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE CAR TO TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AT ISSUE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. FORD AND LINCOLN SEEM TO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A SERVICE BULLETIN OR A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. FORD HAS NOTHING UP ON THEIR WEB SITE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10893423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10959933 · 2017-03-10 (March 10, 2017)
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?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10959933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11042256 · 2017-11-01 (November 1, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL-NEED TO REPLACE AIR BAGS BUT NO COMMUNICATION FROM DEALER
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11042256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045621 · 2017-11-13 (November 13, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (SHERWOOD AUTOMOTIVE, SALISBURY, MD, 410-548-46), BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TAKATA SETTLEMENT NOTICE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082522 · 2018-04-02 (April 2, 2018)
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 VIGIL FORD AT [phone removed] (LOCATED AT 6790 MT ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11082522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143385 · 2018-10-27 (October 27, 2018)
NO RECALLS NOTICED ON THIS AUTO. NO AIRBAG ISSUES AS YET AM I ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. IS THERE A FORM I MUST FILL OUT? 2016 LINCOLN MKZ VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143385 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V618000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2015-10-01 (October 1, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence: A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.
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 ↗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 ↗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 ↗23V775000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2023-11-17 (November 17, 2023)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 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 inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
Consequence: Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
NHTSA campaign record ↗