2016 Lincoln MKZ

▲ Better than typical

2016 Lincoln MKZ
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:03:48.652Z

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 PER YEAR

2016: 62 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2006	0
2007	259
2008	281
2009	114
2010	169
2011	144
2012	146
2013	108
2014	97
2015	75
2016	62
2017	130
2018	31
2019	17
2020	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 18%

18% of complaints: steering — 11 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Steering wheel is wobbly and loose

NHTSA ODI report, 20240106

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

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, 20160629

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, 20160717

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20160629

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20190522

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, 20181029

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, 20171113

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20151019 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 15V618000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180430 — steering

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.

Campaign 18V167000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191018 — steering

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.

Campaign 19V632000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20191219 — RQ (closed 20220207)

Door Latch Failures

R 20200603 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 20E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200921 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Campaign 20V177000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20220808 — RQ (closed 20230324)

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures

R 20230627 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 23V162000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20231220 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Campaign 23V775000 — check if this car was fixed