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Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2017 Lincoln MKZ

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 139 safety complaints about the 2017 Lincoln MKZ with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 4 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 76 complaints, 55% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 72,500 miles, the median across the 42 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

139 complaints on file

139

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

4

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose 38% year on year: 36 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 26 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 76 · 55%
POWER TRAIN 24 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 · 8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 · 7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7 · 5%
STEERING 6 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 · 4%
AIR BAGS 4 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 · 3%
0 31 62

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 139.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 32.

36 27 18 9
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.9% 10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

23V162000 · March 10, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
The risk
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,280,726 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

18V390000 · June 11, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Edge and 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
The risk
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16 (S2). Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 17V-427.

Ford Motor Company · up to 25 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

18V167000 · March 12, 2018

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,301,986 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

17V427000 · July 6, 2017

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
The risk
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.

Ford Motor Company · up to 6,026 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures

RQ22004

Closed recall query · opened August 8, 2022 · closed March 24, 2023 · led to recall 23V162000

the hydraulic brakes

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain MY 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The result causes a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needing to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.On March 10, 2023, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted to NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-162 (Ford Recall 23S12) to address front brake jounce hoses that may rupture. Ford found the rupture occurs from a localized failure of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue through tensile/bending and torsional inputs during suspension and steering articulations. The supplier for the front brake jounce hoses is Hitachi. This recall affects the subject vehicles equipped with non-hybrid engines and the suspect front brake jounce hoses (a total of 1,280,726 vehicles). The recall covers subject vehicles built from February 3, 2012 to July 19, 2017 when the suspect hoses were used in vehicle production. The remedy is for dealerships to replace both front brake jounce hoses with new hoses that have a revised braid material at no cost. The vehicles equipped with hybrid engines are excluded from the recall because the internal hose pressure is much lower due to the regenerative braking provided by the hybrid brake system. No failures of brake hoses on hybrid vehicles have been reported to ODI or Ford.Ford's actions address ODIs concerns at this time. Hybrid vehicles will be monitored for related failures. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances.The 103 ODI numbers cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11511014, 11510867, 11510318, 11509030, 11505993, 11504989, 11504400, 11502147, 11502082, 11501820, 11501283, 11498439, 11498296, 11496842, 11496335, 11494931, 11494851, 11494252, 11493001, 11492084, 11492070, 11491444, 11491274, 11488858, 11488027, 11487627, 11487416, 11487233, 11486150, 11484924, 11484526, 11484080, 11483948, 11483926, 11483739, 11483723, 11482773, 11482690, 11481077, 11480788, 11480294, 11480052, 11479338, 11479334, 11479252, 11479247, 11479187, 11479094, 11479048, 11478985, 11478953, 11478729, 11478216, 11476892, 11476282, 11470558, 11468994, 11467109, 11466294, 11462746, 11461217, 11456065, 11455367, 11444848, 11436419, 11436376, 11430685, 11428329, 11425083, 11421026, 11420738, 11420735, 11420298, 11418197, 11403926, 11397549, 11366991, 11366757, 11361016, 11359968, 11354569, 11352165, 11350344, 11348799, 11343929, 11343205, 11331947, 11329020, 11319596, 11310529, 11292271, 11288455, 11254787, 11253479, 11253244, 11234622, 11230669, 11230050, 11228240, 11221111, 11143630, 11129392 and 11120228.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire

I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure and engine-compartment fire involving my 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select, equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle had approximately 99,864 miles when the final failure occurred. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle, the original engine developed severe overheating, loss of cabin heat, white exhaust smoke, misfiring, and coolant intrusion. On December 16, 2024, at approximately 95,354 miles, the vehicle was taken to Murgado Ford Lincoln of Chicago. The dealership documented diagnostic codes P0303 and P0316 and determined that coolant was entering cylinder No. 3. Pursuant to Ford Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229, the dealership

NHTSA complaint 11753663, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 31,000 miles

I WAS STATIONARY BEHIND A CAR TURNING LEFT ON HWY 154 S IN COWETA CO, GA, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 50+ MPH. THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME NEVER APPLIED HIS BRAKES, WHICH PUSHED MY CAR INTO THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR I WAS PUSHED INTO WAS SHOVED 30+ YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE.

NHTSA complaint 11373156. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured

I own a Lincoln mkz reserve it started running rough and i was informed it had a misfire code and the recommendation was to change the coils and spark plugs, after that was done it still wasn't fixed after multiple items on vehicle changed it stopped running altogether and i was told the engine lost compression and that this is common flaw on 2017-2019 Lincoln engines and that ford even has a service bulletin and my sole remedy was to buy a new engine this isn't right someone could be inured if vehicle dies in traffic on top of the fraud by ford they are selling vehicle that intentionally blow there engine after the warranty period, i have send hundred of other poor soul that this has

NHTSA complaint 11452290, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured

I was driving and started smelling toxic fumes come inside my car, steering wheel started jerking. I didn’t think much of it until my 2 year old daughter in the backseat was looking as if she was about to pass out. Her eyes started rolling and her words were slur, more slur than normal. I immediately pulled over and saw the fumes were coming from my tail pipe. It was a huge cloud of smoke. It was my car that was the problem. I had to leave my car on the side of the road and get someone to take us home. It wasn’t safe to drive in the condition it was in. The next day I got it towed to the mechanic and he said my car lacked coolant and the engine needs to be replaced. I looked online and saw

NHTSA complaint 11484238, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

75,300 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,300.

NHTSA complaint 11766190. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2017 Lincoln MKZ with only 52100 miles started leaking coolant into the engine cylinders which will require a new engine. Ford/Lincoln is aware of this problem with their 2.0 liter Ecoboost engine and has even issued a service bulletin and the necessary engine replacement. I have contacted Lincoln Customer Service and their response was they have no liability since the vehicle is out of warranty. I have noted there are several class action lawsuits in progress and I believe a recall has been issued on some Ford/Lincoln Ecoboost engines. A recall should be issued for all affected engines and not just some models. Thank you for your attention in this matter. The engine replacement will

NHTSA complaint 11763897, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKZ and began experiencing serious engine problems, including repeated overheating and an engine misfire. The vehicle developed a check-engine light and a P0301 misfire code. I was advised by a repair shop that the vehicle has a serious engine problem and that the engine needs to be replaced. I am concerned that the overheating and engine problems could cause the vehicle to suddenly lose power or suffer complete engine failure while I am driving. If the engine loses power unexpectedly while I am traveling in traffic, I could be unable to accelerate or safely move out of the way of other vehicles, creating a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, and other

NHTSA complaint 11762139, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
We are submitting this vehicle safety complaint regarding a dealer-confirmed coolant-intrusion failure in our 2017 Lincoln MKZ equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle had approximately 60,063 miles when presented to Parks Lincoln of Longwood. The vehicle developed a check engine light, rough running, shaking, and recurring misfire symptoms. Two ignition coils had recently been replaced, but the symptoms returned. The vehicle also produced white exhaust smoke on startup after sitting for several days. Because the rough running was so severe, the vehicle was ultimately towed to the Lincoln dealership on a flatbed. Parks Lincoln's Repair Order 2684839/1 documents DTC P0301. The

NHTSA complaint 11758713, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine has rough idle and can stall. Ford says engine has coolant intrusion and needs a new engine. The repair will cost between 8500 and 10000 dollars.

NHTSA complaint 11758233. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Coolant intrusion into my 2.0l eco boost engine requiring engine replacement

NHTSA complaint 11756788. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln MKZ

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 20 1 —
2018 35 2 —
2016 64 6 —
2015 82 10 —
2014 97 13 —
2013 109 12 —
2012 146 5 —
2011 145 5 —
2010 169 7 —

Other 2017 Lincoln models

MKC 191 Continental 75 MKX 52 Navigator 31 MKZ Hybrid 17

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst