MYRModel Year Report

2016 Lincoln MKZ

▲ Better than typical
2016 Lincoln MKZ
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:32.822Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
65
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 281 complaints 2009: 114 complaints 2009 2010: 169 complaints 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2015: 80 complaints 2016: 65 complaints 2016 65 2017: 139 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints
2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 281 complaints 2008 2009: 114 complaints 2009 2010: 169 complaints 2010 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2012 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2014 2015: 80 complaints 2015 2016: 65 complaints 2016 65 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020
2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 281 complaints 2008 2009: 114 complaints 2009 2010: 169 complaints 2010 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2012 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2014 2015: 80 complaints 2015 2016: 65 complaints 2016 65 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020

2016: 65 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20060
2007259
2008281
2009114
2010169
2011145
2012146
2013109
201497
201580
201665
2017139
201836
201921
20202

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

22% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-29

Also filed under Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake light had remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was unoccupied.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-15

Steering

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system.

Show complaint excerpts

Steering wheel is wobbly and loose

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-06

Electrical system

17% · 11 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-17

Air bags

14% · 9 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-22

My airbags didn't deploy resulting in me having life-long injuries. I had a car accident in August 31ST, 2017. I t-boned a vehicle that came out of a parking lot illegally resulting in the accident. My airbags didn't deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-29

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-13

Engine

9% · 6 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Catalytic Converter P0420 issue that cannot be fixed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-21

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-10-19Fuel system, gasoline15V618000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2018-04-30Steering18V167000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-10-18Steering19V632000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2019-12-19Recall queryClosed 2022-02-07 Door Latch Failures
  5. R
    2020-06-03Exterior lighting20E025000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Replacement Headlamps, part number DP5Z-13008-T and DP5Z-13008-V, sold for use with 2013-2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

    Remedy: Ford will notify vehicle manufacturers, and dealers will inspect the headlamps, and replace the headlamps, as necessary, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2020-09-21Latches/locks/linkages20V177000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. I
    2022-08-08Recall queryClosed 2023-03-24 Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
  9. R
    2023-06-27Service brakes, hydraulic23V162000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2023-12-20Latches/locks/linkages23V775000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Lincoln MKZ — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V618000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 18V167000 · Steering
  • Recall 19V632000 · Steering
  • Recall 20E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 20V177000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 23V162000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 23V775000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKZ have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.