2016 Lincoln MKZ: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 7 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
63
Complaints
7
Recalls
8
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
6
Injuries
127.0
Severity index
Severity index 127.0 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 140 2016 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ ranks 18 of 140 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 87% of its model-year peers. See the full 2016 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 14 | 22.2% |
| STEERING | 12 | 19.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 | 17.5% |
| AIR BAGS | 9 | 14.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 | 9.5% |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 5 | 7.9% |
| ENGINE | 5 | 7.9% |
| HYDRAULIC | 4 | 6.3% |
The single most-reported system is SERVICE BRAKES, cited in 14 of 63 complaints (22.2%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 6 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 2.3x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V632000 | 29/08/2019 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 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, Massachu |
| 18V167000 | 12/03/2018 | STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 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. |
| 15V618000 | 01/10/2015 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | 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 in |
| 20V177000 | 23/03/2020 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 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, T |
| 20E025000 | 24/04/2020 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 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. The headlamps may have an improper beam pattern and incorrect horizontal adjustment, the side markers may not illumi |
| 23V162000 | 10/03/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. |
| 23V775000 | 17/11/2023 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 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 |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.