The Lemon Index
2012
20142nd generation
33 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–38 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 BMW 3 Series 682013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 392013 Cadillac CTS 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 22,000 miles (7,200–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V162000 (brakes), 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 20E025000 (lights) done? It has 13 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 167 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ford/lincoln: when vehicle is operated for short drive cycles, with maximum electrical loads,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 33 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 22K miles (7K to 35K km) on the car (26 of all 33 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Car just one year old and transmission needed to be replaced.
2013 Lincoln MKZ owner · NHTSA complaint 10662256
More owner reports
Car complete stalls and says "run power active". Very unsafe situation. Car was not able to be moved. Was not able to be started again for over a minute
NHTSA complaint 10874396
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 167 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: when vehicle is operated for short drive cycles, with maximum electrical loads,…
- Due to a crank no start, on some vehicles, symptoms of various drivability may be exhibit
- Ford/lincoln: some vehicles may experience, a slippage during shifting or possible clutch…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 13
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
- Lights · recall issued 2020
The headlamps may have an improper beam pattern and incorrect horizontal adjustment, the side markers may not illuminate and DOT markings may be missing.
Show all 13 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2019
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2017
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
- Steering · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or oth.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2015
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fu…
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013 Hybrid only
Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission range sensor may not function properly allowing the affected vehicles to be shifted out of the Park position without first applying the brake pedal.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
During use, the engine block heater cords may be bent and in certain temperatures, the wire insulation may crack, exposing the electrical wires.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedFront brake jounce hose failures2022–2023
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,600–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKZ year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 83; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKZ year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2013 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (30%), electrical (21%) and doors, locks & latches (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have?
13 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ get?
21 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Lincoln MKZ problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 22,000 miles (7,200–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel a year?
About $1,600 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKZ year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2016 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works