The Lincoln MKZ was introduced by the Blue Oval to take on the popular luxury sedans in the segment and the sedan’s latest and updated styling goes for it too. The previous year’s model faced some issues and investigations regarding door latch problems and the infamous Takata airbag problems. However, with the current model, Ford has fixed the issues and the official number of complaints and recalls stands at 30 and 3. For 2017 MY, the powertrain-related issues saw the highest reports followed by electrical system issues. The sedan competes with the Acura TLX, the Cadillac ATS, and the Infiniti Q50.
Lincoln MKZ user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- Power loss: Several complaints were filed about this issue with the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The owners reported that the engine lost power suddenly while accelerating, which jeopardized their safety while out on the highways.
- Coolant leak: A few owners reported that they faced a coolant leaking issue. In all the cases, the coolant leaked into the engine and into the cylinders which resulted in a complete engine failure and required a replacement.
- Oil leak: One owner stated in a report that the oil pan of his Lincoln MKZ started leaking. It resulted in considerable oil loss per day.
Electrical problems
- Infotainment system malfunction: A couple of complaints registered mentioned several issues with the infotainment system of the sedan. The owners complained that the system started to freeze and reboot itself. Since it gets the headlight controls integrated within, it caused driving at night hazardous. In other instances, all the features of the system malfunctioned such as the navigation and the connectivity features.
- Electrical system malfunction: A single report reported by a user stated that the electrical system of his vehicle failed. While starting the car, it failed to start but the battery was in perfect health. After jump-starting the vehicle, the electrical system failed to shut down completely.
2017 Lincoln MKZ recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
July 6, 2017 |
17V427000 |
Torque Converter Connection may Fail |
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. |
Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2017. |
|
2 |
March 12, 2018 |
18V167000 |
Steering Wheel may Detach |
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. |
|
3 |
June 11, 2018 |
18V390000 |
Torque Converter Connection may Fail |
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. |
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2018. |
Should you buy a used Lincoln MKZ?
The Lincoln MKZ comes at a great price point with a lot of standard features that cost extra bucks to have on its peers. However, the slightly disappointing interior quality and an underwhelming performance from the base engine might make it a bit less preferable than others. Going with a used example involves no such risks but the Takata airbag issues with the 2016 models make it better to avoid. You can opt for a few alternatives such as the Cadillac ATS or the Infiniti Q50 but a thorough inspection is highly recommended for each of them.
