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Lincoln MKZ reliability.

Is it reliable? Yes. About two-thirds as many complaints as the average car.

67All years 2010–2017 · 100 = average car

Better than average · 2010–2017

Fewest 2011Most 2013

2015 Lincoln MKZ illustration

20152nd generation

Lemon Index 82See the 2015 report ›
2007Taller bar = more complaints per car sold2020

Every year2011Fewest owner complaintsSee every year →Comparevs BMW 3 SeriesAlso Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4See comparisons →Questions6 quick answersIs the Lincoln MKZ reliable?Is the Lincoln MKZ a good car?See questions →All the data14 model yearsin one table: index, complaints, recalls, mpgSee the table →

Engines & versions

What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Lincoln MKZ videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.

Fewest complaints

2011.

201146about half as many complaints as the average car201051about half as many complaints as the average car201261a bit over half as many complaints as the average car

Most complaints

2013.

201383somewhat fewer complaints than the average car201582somewhat fewer complaints than the average car201770about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.

2020–few complaints2019–few complaints2018–few complaints201770about two-thirds as many complaints201662a bit over half as many complaints201582somewhat fewer complaints201469about two-thirds as many complaints201383somewhat fewer complaints201261a bit over half as many complaints201146about half as many complaints201051about half as many complaints2009–few complaints2008–few complaints2007–few complaints

Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/" title="Lincoln MKZ reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-mkz/">Lemon Index</a> (Lincoln MKZ reliability by year)</p>

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Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.

Compare the Lincoln MKZ.

Lincoln MKZBMW 3 Seriesvs BMW 3 SeriesLincoln MKZMercedes-Benz C-Classvs Mercedes-Benz C-ClassLincoln MKZAudi A4vs Audi A4Lincoln MKZLexus ISvs Lexus IS

Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →

Quick answers.

Is the Lincoln MKZ reliable?

Yes. It draws about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car. Fewest complaints: 2011.

Is the Lincoln MKZ a good car?

Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2017: Lemon Index 67; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2011 drew the fewest complaints and 2013 the most.

What are the best Lincoln MKZ years to buy?

By owner complaints per car sold: 2011, 2010, 2012. 2011 drew the fewest.

What Lincoln MKZ years should you stay away from?

No Lincoln MKZ year stands out as bad. Even the years with the most complaints per car sold beat the average car: 2013 (better than average, Lemon Index 83, the first year of a new generation), 2015 (better than average, Lemon Index 82), 2017 (better than average, Lemon Index 70).

How many recalls does the Lincoln MKZ have?

92 safety recalls across the 14 model years we track. Most: 2014 (14), 2013 (13), 2015 (11). Each year's page lists them, and every Lincoln MKZ recall is in one list here.

What are the most common Lincoln MKZ problems?

Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name electrical, steering and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.

Every year in one table
YearIndexCompared with averageComplaintsTop complaintRecallsCrash testMPG
2007–too few complaints to score6airbags (33%)5—19–20
2008–too few complaints to score5speed control (40%)5—19–22
2009–too few complaints to score5visibility (20%)7—19–21
201051about half as many complaints as the average car13speed control (38%)9—19–21
201146about half as many complaints as the average car15steering (33%)7★★★★☆19–38
201261a bit over half as many complaints as the average car19steering (42%)6★★★★☆19–38
201383somewhat fewer complaints than the average car33transmission & drivetrain (30%)13★★★★★21–38
201469about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car26transmission & drivetrain (15%)14★★★★★21–38
201582somewhat fewer complaints than the average car26electrical (38%)11★★★★★21–40
201662a bit over half as many complaints as the average car19airbags (58%)7★★★★★20–40
201770about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car21engine (33%)4★★★★★20–40
2018–complaints only, too few sold to score8transmission & drivetrain (25%)2★★★★★20–40
2019–complaints only, too few sold to score2electrical (50%)1★★★★★20–41
2020–complaints only, too few sold to score1electrical (100%)1★★★★★20–41

The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: en.wikipedia.org. How it works

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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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