The Lemon Index
201420162nd generation
26 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–40 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 BMW 3 Series 252015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 972015 Lexus IS 23
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ
- Backup camera11 complaints
Specific parts named in the 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Lincoln MKZ (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 29,000 miles (24,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 26 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 25V695000 (back over prevention), 23V162000 (brakes) and 22V011000 (brakes) done? It has 11 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?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Lincoln sent dealers 143 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “All 2013-2015 ford fusions/mkz, 2015 mustang and mkc vehicles with reverse park aid camera active”?
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 26 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 15K to 28K miles (24K to 47K km) on the car (24 of all 26 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
In under 4 years/50k miles battery has been changed 4 times. Every time the cause is a bad battery and not a draw. There is an underlying issue with the MKZ electrical architecture. Dealer says this is a common problem.
2015 Lincoln MKZ owner · NHTSA complaint 11153611
More owner reports
In 20k miles entire car stopped working after in garage over weekend and no lights were on, no issue was found initially but battery was changed once in a new car in less than 2 years. Can can shut off in the middle of driving?
NHTSA complaint 10894843
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 143 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- All 2013-2015 ford fusions/mkz, 2015 mustang and mkc vehicles with reverse park aid camera active
- Ford fusion/mkz, 2015 mkc, 2015 mustang- bulletin regarding intermittently, the steering…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
- Brakes · recall issued 2022
Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
Show all 11 recalls
- 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.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Steering · recall issued 2019
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2019
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 2018
The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
- 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.
- Lights · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the parking lights do not reduce their light output from a DRL level when used in conjunction with the headlights.
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 $1,500–$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. 2015 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 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/?y=2015" 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/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 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 82; 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 2015 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (38%), seat belts (12%) and lights (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have?
11 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ get?
21 to 40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 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 2015 Lincoln MKZ problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 29,000 miles (24,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 26 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 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 2015 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel a year?
About $1,500 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKZ year is better than the 2015?
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